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While
e-Reference clearly worked well for our users, we knew that they expected new
functionality, including searching across multiple databases at the same
time, article level searching and reference linking. Users had been trying to execute article
level searches from the front page of e-Reference for years, not
understanding that their searches were too specific. While more experienced users realized they
needed to locate and connect to the relevant database in order to retrieve
abstracts and articles, less experienced users often ended initial searches
in frustration, yielding no hits.
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We also had
technological and administrative reasons to change systems: IT support for the e-Reference Collection
moved to the Library Systems Office and a new server.
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Timing and
opportunity were also key to the decision to change systems. The Cornell Library ENCompass project team
was part of a development partnership with others around the country who
worked with Endeavor to develop the ENCompass and later LinkFinder Plus
products, which were designed to merge traditional and digital library
environments.
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The initial
prototype and first release of ENCompass supported only nonproprietary
resources. However, by March 2002,
Endeavor released version 2.0 of ENCompass, which was supposed to support
proprietary (licensed) networked resources.
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This release of
ENCompass prompted us to move ahead with our plans to migrate the e-Reference
Collection from its current platform to ENCompass.
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