DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS, June 15, 2001: Endeavor Information Systems and the Yale University Library (YUL) announced today the selection of the Voyager integrated library management system for the Yale libraries. With complete implementation scheduled for July 2002, the Voyager selection affects over 600 staff and 10.5 million volumes across the New Haven, CT campus.

New LMS Advantageous to Readers, Staff

"With a new LMS, we were looking for an immediate improvement to services for readers and workflow improvements for staff," Audrey Novak, LMS Project Manager explained. The current system at YUL allows limited, read-only patron-empowerment features. Novak cited Voyager's richer functionality. "Voyager allows readers to take action on their patron record information such as initiating renewals and recalls. Also, SDI gives readers the ability to create customized, continual searches."

Taking advantage of the smart, workflow-oriented design of Voyager's Technical Services modules and the built-in electronic acquisitions capabilities, staff at YUL will be able to expedite ordering, receiving, and processing of materials. Faster delivery of items to the shelves coupled with Voyager's market-leading patron empowerment features will improve both staff and reader satisfaction.

"The most important enhancement for both readers and staff is the inclusion of non-Roman scripts through Voyager's Unicode developments," Novak said. "We are looking forward to offering readers more access points as Endeavor continues to develop full support for non-Roman scripts."

Support Matrix Factors into Decision

"Endeavor has a mature, established support system, both in implementation and customer support, so there are few risks associated with migrating to Voyager," explained Novak. "Current Endeavor customers cited Endeavor's support departments as ‘very strong' throughout the implementation process and afterwards. When we visited Endeavor, there was clear evidence that the Endeavor support people are an organized, focused unit."

The YUL staff was also comfortable with Endeavor's track record for converting data from NOTIS systems (Yale's current LMS). Endeavor has converted well over 100 NOTIS sites since 1994.

A Forward-Looking Partnership for Development

"The Endeavor staff has been very responsive to the needs of the Yale University Library. We are excited about starting the implementation of the Voyager system and anticipate working in partnership with Endeavor to develop enhanced capabilities for reader access to information," explained Scott Bennett, University Librarian for Yale University Libraries. "We look forward to continuing this partnership with Endeavor for many years."

"Endeavor is extremely pleased to be selected as the ILS solution for the Yale University Library system," said Jane Burke, Endeavor's President and CEO. "Yale's decision recognizes the value of Endeavor's talented and professional staff. Everyone at Endeavor from our implementation and customer support professionals, interacting directly with our customers, to our development staff, behind the scenes designing solutions based on customer suggestions and real-life library workflow changes, works together to uphold Endeavor's commitment to provide access to information regardless of location or content."

About the Yale University Library

The Yale University Library, which is a highly valued partner in teaching and research at the University, has more than 10.5 million volumes housed in the Sterling Memorial Library and 16 school and department libraries. It employs a dynamic and innovative staff of nearly 600 FTE who have the opportunity to work with the highest caliber of faculty and students, participate on committees and are involved in other areas of staff development. A full spectrum of library resources, from rare books and manuscripts to a rapidly expanding network of electronic resources, constitutes one of Yale's distinctive strengths. The Library is engaged in numerous ambitious projects such as the renovation of the main library building, the complete retrospective conversion of the Library's catalog, and various automation projects, which include network access to scholarly information and digital imaging.

About Endeavor Information Systems

Endeavor Information Systems, based in Des Plaines, IL, was founded in September of 1994. Over 850 academic and research libraries of every size have chosen Endeavor's high performance library system. Endeavor offers a complete line of library solutions for traditional and digital collections. Visit Endeavor at www.endinfosys.com for more information on the Voyager integrated library management system or Endeavor's complete suite of products for today's changing libraries.