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What is Encore?

Encore is an innovative new way to find materials in the library collection and articles in five of our online databases. It functions like a search engine with the logic to find relevant materials and suggests alternative spelling and other strategies for finding what you are looking for. With Encore, you no longer need to specify how you are searching. Just input your keywords into the search box and click the arrow button.

Why are we implementing this new catalog?

Encore was selected as a way to accomplish two objectives: 1) Make keyword searching more effective for most people, and 2) Make article databases more prominent in catalog search results.

What do I do at the Search Results Screen?

In most cases, the search results screen will have the item you are looking for. There are a number of ways to limit your search results, called "facets". Some facets you can use are: Collection (such as children's materials), Location (such as Central A&M), Language, Publication Date, and to require the keywords appear in the Title or Subject field. There is a link to Link+ to search the consortia's collection of materials. See the Encore Help Center for more information!

My keyword search retrieved seemingly unrelated results. What do I do now?

The second set of limiting options (Search Found in) allows you to limit your search by subject or title.  After that, you can select a term in the "Refine by Tag" (Right-hand side) to require the next set of results to also have that term in each record.

I know the library has way more books on ____________,  But Encore doesn't find them.  Is this broken?

You might try to click on a term in "Explore Related Searches" at the bottom of the search results screen.  This search will broaden your results.  You can then select a term in "Refine by Tag" (right hand side of search results).

If there is a particular term that is just not working, Please fill out the form at: http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org/ask_a_librarian/ask_a_librarian_by_email.php and let us know which term you are searching on and what you expect to retrieve.  We may be able to "train" the catalog to retrieve what you were looking for.

What determines the first screen of results when a database is selected from an initial search?

It does not matter which database is selected from the results screen. The entire list of databases is essentially one link. The results populating the screen are from the first of the five databases to produce records. We hope this will be improved in the future to relieve any confusion, but for now, just select the database on the left to see its articles matching your search.

How do I know if I am searching the catalog or article databases?

The search box at the top has the words "Catalog" and "Articles" above it. You are searching whichever of these words is gray in color.

Where is the "Start Over" button?

The Berkeley Public Library logo serves as the Start Over button. It will prompt you to log out and take you back to our Library Home Page.

Is there an Advanced Search option?

Advanced Search will always be available through the Classic Catalog. It is linked directly above the Encore search box on each Encore page.

Where is the New Arrivals list?

New Arrivals are still available through the Classic Catalog. Classic Catalog is linked above the Encore search box on each Encore page. We will add a link to New Arrivals under the "Berkeley Public Library" logo in place of the "Feedback" link.

Where is the Subject Browse?

Subject browse will always be available through the "Classic Catalog". The link for the Classic Catalog is directly above any Encore search box.

How do I specify how I want Encore to search? (by Subject, Title, Author)

If your initial search retrieves too many results to scan, you can specify where you want Encore to search. Look to the "Search Found In" option to limit results to Title, Subject, Author. Additionally, the Subject Browse is always available through the Classic Catalog.

What are Patron Ratings and Tags?

Patron Ratings and Tags are ways to add community input to our catalog. With these features, community members get to reflect on their perceived quality of the items in our collection, as well as add additional search terms that would help themselves and others locate the items. One example of how we envision tagging will work is that cookbooks will start to be tagged "cookbooks" instead of the subject heading "cookery" this would retrieve cookbooks from our collection when a user searches for "cookbooks." Patron's Tags and Ratings do not necessarily reflect the views of staff at the Berkeley Public Library nor the City of Berkeley. Library cardholders may add a rating by clicking on the graphic stars. Community tags are available by clicking "Add a tag" at the bottom of each full record.

Why are the "Refine by Tag" and "Related Searches" words in different sizes?

The tags are presented in a new way that is called a "Tag Cloud". The size of the tag is related to how many results you will retrieve by clicking on it.

What is the difference between "Related Searches" and "Refine by Tag"?

Explore Related Searches, located in the box at the bottom of the search results page, will start a new search based on the term selected. This search will typically broaden search results. Refine by Tag will narrow results based on the term selected. Terms in both "Refine by Tag" and "Explore Related Searches" come out of all the keywords found in the retrieved set of records. 

How can I give feedback about Encore?

Please follow This link to the survey page, which will allow us to collect responses and add to this FAQ page.