Refworks replaces Endnote. UB Library currently has a subscription to both Endnote and Refworks.
Earlier this year we flagged via e-mail to staff and students, that we
were trialing Refworks which is in use at a number of other Australian
universities. Refworks is a web-based product, there is no software to
download and update, and you can access your personal account from any
computer connected to the Internet. In contrast, EndNote is a software
package that must be loaded onto an individual PC, and does not provide
the flexibility of access for students working remotely that RefWorks
does.
At the time we were trialing Refworks, notification was sent for
inclusion in the Postgraduate student newsletter encouraging students to
trial and compare both products and provide the Library with feedback.
An information session was held in June and a number of teaching staff
and students attended this. The feedback that we received from those at
the session and via e-mail, was very positive and this, together with
other factors including ease of remote access, more intuitive use and
reduced support needs, resulted in a decision to move to Refworks and
discontinue our subscription to Endnote. This will be effective July 1,
2007.
Students who are currently using Endnote will have until 1 July, 2007
to choose to continue to use Endnote or to move to Refworks. Students
with libraries in Endnote who wish to convert these for use in Refworks
can do this and library staff can provide assistance.
Because Endnote is individually installed on PCs or laptops it will not
disappear on July 1 2007. The Library will be informing current users
that they are required to uninstall in accordance with our licence
agreement from July 1, however we will not be checking this on an
individual basis and we expect that a number of students will continue
to use the version that they have at that time. If students choose to
continue to use Endnote, upgrades and support will not be available from
July 1, 2007, and students will need to purchase an individual licence
to Endnote if they want to re-install or upgrade.
The Library will be running training sessions for Refworks in the New
Year and I would encourage postgraduate and other students who may not
have used Refworks to attend. Further information about Refworks and
Endnote is available from
http://www.ballarat.edu.au/aasp/is/library/resources/managing_your_references.shtml
or by contacting Sue McPhan (Information Literacy Librarian) ext. 9591
or via e-mail s.mcphan@ballarat.edu.au
