News from Endeavor

Citation

(2003), "News from Endeavor", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 37 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/prog.2003.28037bab.002

News from Endeavor

Endeavor's advanced linking system simple for users, efficient for libraries

Endeavor Information Systems has released enhanced software for libraries to extend their electronic database collections with the latest commercial release for LinkFinderPlus. Endeavor's advanced linking system bridges the gap between citations and the online full text of articles, providing maximum usage of the library's electronic journal subscriptions.

Library staff will find increased productivity in making resources available for researchers. LinkFinderPlus 3.0 includes batch activation of the LinkFinderPlus Knowledge Base and batch maintenance of the Knowledge Base post implementation. Delivered with over 13,000 targets to link to full text and abstracts for citations, the LinkFinderPlus Knowledge Base is designed for minimal staff maintenance once the library activates its local subscriptions. Additionally, LinkFinderPlus 3.0 allows libraries to enable immediate access to electronic journals as they become available with a local option to add journal sites. Libraries can now easily customise the LinkFinderPlus 3.0 display to match the libraries' local look and feel; ensuring researchers find a smooth transition to full text of articles.

Interoperability with CrossRef (www.crossref.org), a not-for-profit network founded on publisher collaboration, is now available. This makes reference linking efficient and reliable, and enables LinkFinderPlus users to link with CrossRef for the resolution of DOIs (digital object identifiers) sent using the OpenURL proposed standard. This allows the LinkFinderPlus software to consider the local library's subscriptions and preferences before generating links to full text.

"In these times when libraries need to both maximise the use of extensive electronic journal collections and be more productive while maintaining their staff numbers, LinkFinderPlus is a valuable tool for providing that extra level of service to users, taking advantage of the power of technology to present extended opportunities for scholarly content", said Jane Burke, Endeavor's president and CEO. "The success of our LinkFinderPlus customers is impressive – small colleges, large universities, medical libraries and ARL (Association of Research Libraries) institutions all use the same extendable LinkFinderPlus software to help their researchers succeed."

LinkFinderPlus makes the research process more efficient by providing the user with the link to the full text of articles from a citation on a publisher or database Web site using the standard OpenURL format. In addition, the library can provide the user with additional related links, such as checking for print holdings, based on the metadata from the citation. The library can maintain a database that, by a program, creates the links to its licensed full text and related resources.

National Library of Australia selects Voyager

Endeavor Information Systems has announced that the National Library of Australia (NLA), Canberra has selected the Voyager integrated library management system for effective and open management of the Library's 3.2 million volumes. Voyager replaces the Dynix system at the Library, which will employ Sun hardware for the Voyager implementation.

Another module the Library is implementing with Voyager is Endeavor's geospatial search module. This will assist with the searching of the NLA's extensive map collections. The geospatial search module offers searching of the MARC 034 coded cartographic mathematical data field. Endeavor's Voyager interface to VDX, a software extension to interoperate with Fretwell-Downing's VDX interlibrary loan system, will also be employed for structured interlibrary loan (ILL) e-mail messages from Voyager to the Library's ILL system.

Endeavor's systems will assist the NLA in reaching strategic goals such as improving internal processes to achieve efficiencies and economies, plus applying new technology to meet future directions. The implementation of the system coincides with the restructure of the Library's Web site, providing a greater degree of integration with the catalogue. With a simple search, a Library user will be able to retrieve a comprehensive range of results from the entire Web site, including the catalogue.

National Library staff will also benefit from the implementation of Voyager by enabling streamlining the management of acquisitions and cataloguing of the hundreds of new collection items processed daily. David Toll, the National Library's deputy director-general said, "Voyager has been chosen because it is the product that will best meet the National Library's future needs. Our major aim is to provide clients with fast and convenient access to the Library's massive collections. The implementation of Voyager will mean that users will access a single online catalogue, whether at home or in the Library."

"Endeavor is extremely excited to be working with the National Library of Australia. Voyager is a smart decision because of the NLA's valuable collections, progressive staff, and the vision to be leaders in library excellence", said Jane Burke, Endeavor's president and CEO. "We feel the Voyager system will provide all of the important functionality the Library must have, plus simplified workflows for staff and options for the future needs of the Library."

Endeavor Information Systems, based in Des Plaines, IL, was founded in September of 1994. Over 1,100 academic and research libraries of every size have chosen Endeavor's Voyager integrated library system, 41 libraries have selected the ENCompass digital management system and 50 have selected LinkFinderPlus open linking system. Endeavor offers a complete line of library solutions for traditional and digital collections.

For further information please contact: Amy Palsir, Endeavor Information Systems Inc. 84 Theobald's Road, London, WC1X 8RR, UK. Tel: +44(0) 20 7611 4500; Fax: +44(0) 20 7611 4501; E-mail: info@endinfosys.com URL: www.endinfosys.com