Sneak Preview - New Library Catalogue
12 June 2012 Update
As of today we are in the process of clearing out the temporary data from the new library system. Please don't try searching the new catalogue or viewing your account details from now until we launch next Thursday, 21 June (you will probably find that it doesn't work even if you do).
Regular readers will recall that we mentioned a little while ago the library has been working behind the scenes on replacing our computer system. Well the date for the switch is now official.
All Sutherland Shire Libraries will be closed from 5pm on Friday June 15 and will re-open for normal operation on Thursday 21 June - 9am at Sutherland, 9.30am at branches. There is one exception - Miranda Library will be closed for building works before and after the system upgrade.
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| New library catalogue shown on iPad |
During the period that the libraries are closed we will be working to extract all the data from our existing Integrated Library System (ILS) - all the information about our collections, our borrowers, their loans, reserves, etc. (and yes, I'm sorry, fees owed). We then need to take all that data and feed it in to the new ILS and check, as best we can, that it is all correct.
What you will notice when the libraries open is that we have a brand new look to our catalogue. It is easier to use and has improved functionality. Searching is simple with a single keyword search box, just like Google. Once a search is done you can refine your results based on a range of different criteria. Many of the records in the catalogue now also provide suggestions for further reading - similar books and authors. In addition, searches are automatically expanded to include results from many of the library's research databases, improving your chance of finding information about more complex topics.
