"It's great to be able to customize the Polaris checkout screen with patron data elements of our choice. It maximizes the efficiency of the checkout process. And with 15 agencies circulating over 7.1 million items per year, it matters."
- Eva Calcagno,
Manager, Washington County Cooperative Library Services, Oregon
News and Events
Polaris invites you to browse up-to-the-minute information related to our company!
Click below for news and special events, to learn about various webinars and blogs, or to download our most recent newsletter.
The Regional Automation Consortium (TRAC) Selects Polaris ILS (May 13, 2008)
Polaris Library Systems Partners with ChiliFresh.com (May 6, 2008)
Polaris Library Systems Announces New Team Members in Research & Development and Customer Service (April 29, 2008)
Ouachita Parish Public Library Selects Polaris ILS (February 26, 2008)
Polaris Library Systems Announces New Team Members (February 5, 2008)
Dallas Public Library Selects Polaris ILS (January 8, 2008)
Westmoreland County Federated Library System Selects Polaris ILS (December 19, 2007)
Phoenix Public Library System Selects Polaris ILS (November 28, 2007)
Integrated Technology Group Forms Strategic Alliance With Polaris Library Systems (October 24, 2007)
Polaris Library Systems Announces URL Detective (September 4, 2007)
Polaris Library Systems and ALA Partner on Capitol Hill (June 21, 2007)
Polaris Library Systems Reports Continued Growth (June 19, 2007)
Polaris Library Systems Announces ILS Version 3.3 (May 21, 2007)
Polaris Library Systems Launches SimplyReports, Web-based Report Writer (May 2, 2007)
Polaris Library Systems Announces Banner Year for ILS Sales (January 19, 2007)
Polaris Library Systems Announces Strong Close in Fourth Quarter (January 11, 2007)
Contact:
Kathryn Spier-Miller
Director of Marketing
Polaris Library Systems
315-634-4547
Kathryn.Miller@polarislibrary.com
Westmoreland County Federated Library System Selects Polaris ILS
Syracuse, NY, December 19, 2007 - Polaris Library Systems, a leading provider of library automation technology, announced today that 20 libraries in Westmoreland County, Pa. joined together to select the Polaris Integrated Library System (ILS).The libraries, all of which remain autonomous, formed the Westmoreland Information Network (WIN) in order to offer county residents a county-wide catalog and patron card. Prior to selecting Polaris, the libraries had independent contracts with separate ILS vendors, including Innovative Interfaces (III), TLC and Follett.
In 2005, the Westmoreland County Federated Library System identified the need for a library automation system that could both unify the libraries and allow customization and flexibility at the various branches. After conducting a two-year search evaluating multiple vendors and the needs of the libraries, Polaris was chosen.
The Polaris ILS allows the libraries to set up different policies while still sharing resources. For example, most libraries will use the same fine policies and loan periods within the network, but one library opted to retain its existing policies which differ slightly from the consortium. Another attractive feature - local preferred - allows library users at each of the 20 participating libraries to have first access to bestsellers before copies are lent to patrons of other consortium members.
"Launching the Westmoreland Information Network in 2007 became a reality because the Richard King Mellon Foundation stepped forward as a lead partner," said Denise S. Sticha, director of the Murrysville Community Library and administrator of the Westmoreland County Federated Library System. "Their generous support of this project, coupled with a Library Services and Technology Grant from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, allowed the Westmoreland County Federated Library System to implement Polaris in 20 Westmoreland County libraries."
About Polaris Library Systems
From its beginnings thirty years ago, Polaris Library Systems has served libraries with time-saving technology, from its first circulation system in the mid-1970s through its third-generation Polaris Integrated Library System. In addition to its library automation systems, Polaris Library Systems offers workflow analysis, database enhancement, wireless access and network services to libraries. For more information about Polaris Library Systems, visit www.polarislibrary.com.