January 23, 2014 -- Emeryville, CA. Innovative announced today that a new release of Encore - spanning content, customization, and community features - is ready for installation at libraries next week. Release 4.4 will include OverDrive eBook integration, ChiliFresh ratings and reviews, new EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) integration features, and new customization of the user experience. Encore is the premier discovery solution for both academic and public libraries, offering single search functionality for the entire collection in real time.
Content
The new release of Encore includes the first commercial integration of OverDrive eBooks, audiobooks and other digital media into a discovery tool. Encore now offers the best possible eContent experience on the widest arrange of tablets, Smartphones, eReaders and Kindle, including immediate access to samples and full content for OverDrive eBooks and audiobooks.
Encore makes it convenient for users to place holds, check out, and manage their eBooks, all from the library's primary discovery interface. This easy eBook experience is accessible on both their desktop and through Encore Mobile. For example, with Encore 4.4, Cuyahoga County Library (OH) provides this integrated browse screen in response to a search for "Grisham": http://goo.gl/rfKaea.
Encore 4.4 also enhances the current real-time integration of results from EDS in two significant ways. First, this is achieved by implementing a greater approach to appropriately ranking catalog records within the EDS result sets to ensure the best possible order of merged results. Second, additional advanced-search limiters and expanders allow users to take advantage of the richness of the EDS content by extending discovery beyond local collections.
Community
Encore 4.4 brings a more dynamic library to its users, by integrating ChiliFresh, a global provider of patron social networking, book reviews, and cover art. This integration is far more elegant than achieved by any competing discovery product, utilizing the ChiliFresh API to incorporate community content directly into the Encore interface. The ChiliFresh Ratings and Reviews Engine provides one million book reviews and ratings from over 3,500 libraries.
With ChiliFresh integration, library users will find community ratings and reviews in the initial results view and at the item detail. Any library patron can rate their picks from one to five stars, write reviews, and share their opinions and thoughts with others, all with their existing library log-in credentials.
Libraries previously providing local ratings & reviews through Encore will see their community content included with the ChiliFresh integration, providing the best of local and worldwide patron participation.
All Encore customers will receive a 60-day ChiliFresh trial.
Customization
With the new release, Encore gives library staff simple ways customize their interface, including the ability to create a top banner that consistently highlights the library brand across all discovery screens, as well as the option to customize text and messages throughout the application. Libraries can also enhance the user experience with custom facets based on locally highlighted data fields.
Additional features in the release include virtual shelf browse and ProQuest (formerly Syndetic Solutions) image cascading.
"Innovative is providing libraries with unprecedented choice for integrating services such as OverDrive, ChiliFresh, and EBSCO Discovery Service," says Gene Shimshock, SVP of Global Marketing. "With the strong foundation of Sierra Services platform, Encore can be delivered to users in real time with full transactional data from their library. With its open architecture, Sierra enables a set of features that are transforming how libraries offer discovery and delivery of their key resources."
See Encore at the 2014 ALA Midwinter Meeting
Innovative will be demonstrating Encore at ALA Midwinter Booth #1631, January 24-29, 2014 in Philadelphia, PA.
EBSCO Discovery Service, Kindle, and OverDrive are trademarks of their respective companies.
About ChiliFresh
ChiliFresh launched its initial social networking product, ChiliFresh Review Engine, in early 2008. The ChiliFresh Review Engine was the first real Web 2.0 platform developed for a library's online catalog. ChiliFresh now supports libraries around the globe with book cover art, patron book reviews, and social networking products and applications for desktop and mobile devices. For more information about ChiliFresh, visit www.chilifresh.com.
About EBSCO Information Services
EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) is the leading provider of resources for libraries including EBSCONET, EBSCO's total e-resource management system, and EBSCOhost, the world's premier for-fee online research service, including full-text databases, subject indexes, point-of-care medical reference, historical digital archives and e-books. EBSCO provides more than 375 research databases and more than 500,000 e-books plus subscription management services for more than 360,000 unique titles including more than 57,000 online titles. Through a library of tens of thousands of full-text journals and magazines from renowned publishers, EBSCO serves the content needs of all researchers (Academic, Medical, K-12, Public Library, Corporate, Government, etc.). EBSCO is also the provider of EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS), which provides each institution with a fast, single search box for its entire collection, offering deeper indexing and more full-text searching of journals and magazines than any other discovery service. For more information, visit the EBSCO Web site at: www.ebsco.com. EBSCO is a division of EBSCO Industries Inc., one of the largest privately held companies in the United States.
About OverDrive
OverDrive is a leading multichannel digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, music and video. We supply a secure lending platform for 28,000 libraries, schools and retailers worldwide with support for all major computers and devices, including iPhone, iPad, Nook, Android phones and tablets, and Kindle (U.S. only). Recent enhancements to OverDrive's platform include multilingual user interface support, Streaming Video, in-library touchscreen stations for browsing and instant sampling of eBooks or audiobooks, and OverDrive Read, the company's EPUB and HTML5 browser-based reading experience. OverDrive has been named to the EContent 100 five years in a row as a company that matters most in the digital content industry. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland. www.overdrive.com.
About Innovative Interfaces
Innovative (www.iii.com) is dedicated to providing leading technology solutions and services that empower libraries and enrich their users worldwide. Innovative offers the broadest and most complete portfolio of library automation products on the market today. Innovative's flagship library services platform, Sierra, is the most rapidly adopted product in library automation history. The company's versatile and market-leading solutions also include the Millennium ILS, the Encore discovery application, Electronic Resource Management, the SkyRiver cataloging service, and INN-Reach resource sharing. Customers are supported through a 24/7/52 Help Desk, Innovative University, and the CSDirect Web support center. A recognized leader in library automation software, Innovative has introduced technological advancements for over 30 years. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, Innovative serves thousands of libraries in over 50 countries and has offices around the world. Keep up with Innovative on the CEO INN-Sights blog at blog.iii.com.