On the Cutting Edge of Innovation

Doesn’t Pasadena Library’s main lobby remind you of Harry Potter? (Photo – Instagram, ohhemji).

Pasadena Public Library is on the cutting edge of innovation with the launching of a new Integrated Library System (ILS) on Wednesday, May 20, 2015.

The new library information management software’s catalog, operated jointly by Pasadena Public Library and Glendale Library, Arts & Culture, will provide library customers with the best possible service, while allowing reciprocal borrowing of materials between the two cities.

The Integrated Library System will provide library customers with an enriched online catalog and more.

When doing catalog searches in the new system:

• Customers will receive results the way they expect, resembling familiar and popular internet search engines.
• The additions of spelling correction and search suggestions will make searching the catalog easier and more intuitive.
• Customers can also choose to keep their reading history as they read.

The new features will also include:

• Seamless access to a variety of formats: books, eBooks, music, movies as well as subscription databases, now available with a single search, making it easier for customers to explore and enjoy digital content directly from the catalog, with a single login.
• The catalog also allows customers to search in various languages.
• All of these features are accessible on smart phones and tablets as well as computers.
• A future release will include an eCommerce feature.

New era

Integrated Library System (ILS)

The new system offers an enhanced level of convenience by expanding the way customers receive library communications:

• When items are ready for pick-up or have an approaching due date, customers will be notified by telephone, email and (soon) text messaging.
• Customers will also be able to share information via social media.

The new software, by Innovative Interfaces Inc., was selected following an extensive review. It will replace a 12-year old system, which is no longer able to keep pace with user expectations, providing better customer service and improved efficiencies.

! You can visit any Pasadena Public Library location on Wednesday, May 20, for a demonstration of the new system. Stop in at one of the Tech M@de Easy workshops at Central Library to test drive the new online catalog:

– Wednesday, May 27, 2:30 – 4 p.m.
– Tuesday, June 9, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
– Wednesday, June 24, 2:30 – 4 p.m.
– Tuesday, July 14, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
– Wednesday, July 22, 2:30 – 4 p.m.
– Tuesday, August 11, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
– Wednesday, August 26, 2:30 – 4 p.m.