Screenshot of Encore search results
by Lynne Cutler, Montclair Branch Manager
The Oakland Public Library has an exciting and powerful new catalog interface! The new patron catalog interface, Encore, is live as of June 29th. (We will also keep our Classic Catalog as long as it is updated by the vendor.) We encourage you to try Encore and become comfortable using it.
While the Classic Catalog starts with setting certain limits, such as the format, Encore is more open-ended and allows you to specify more search parameters and search more types of materials. If you’re comfortable with Google searches and navigating blogs, the Encore catalog may feel natural for you. If you’re used to the Classic Catalog, Encore may take a little getting used to, but it’s worth the effort.
Encore searches have better algorithms, so Encore has better results. It also has spell check. If you type “Hary Putter” for example, it will ask “Did you mean Harry Potter?”
Click Advanced Search to use Boolean search (including “and,” “or” or “not” in your search terms to exclude or require certain words) or narrow your search by format, collection, language, location or year of publication. You can also use truncation, such as entering “enviro* pol*” to return results for environment, environmentally, politics, policies, politicians, etc. There is an option to add Community Tags, so if you think the book description is missing an important subject heading, you can add a tag yourself to help other searchers.
Encore results include materials in all formats and even magazine articles. Click the Articles link at the top of the Encore page to see articles from magazines and newspapers that match your search terms.
You don’t need to log in to use Encore, but you can log in using the same account info you use on the regular OPL site (your name, card number and PIN) to create a reading list as you browse — but you must email it to yourself before logging out or it won’t be saved. Click the “My Account” link at the top of the page once you’re logged in to Encore to view your library account — fines, holds, items checked out, etc. Your account info will open in a new window or tab on your browser.
Try these new features out — and feel free to ask the library staff at Montclair if you have any questions.
Wednesday July 18, 2012 – 10:30am
And remember, if the Montclair branch doesn’t have a book, chances are it’s available somewhere in the OPL system – it’s super-easy to request a book online and have it delivered right to the Montclair branch for pickup.
Wednesday July 11, 2012 – 10:30am
In a lot of ways it makes sense – stories of an angst-ridden prince, social machinations and star-crossed lovers have a timeless appeal for teenagers, but might get overlooked in their traditional covers featuring faded English landscapes and portraits of dour, antique-looking heroines. If the new covers (and who wouldn’t rather read about the Hamlet who looks like a teen movie star?) introduce new readers to Shakespeare, Austen and the Brontës, what’s not to like?
Friends of Montclair Library 