LibraryWorlds new features: a user perspective

As we have mentioned before on this blog, we love hearing from you! Your feedback is motivating us to develop new features and upgrades at an inspired pace. That is why when Holland Kessinger from the Edmund L. and Nancy K. Dubois Library at the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego wrote to us with some feedback on the new features we had to know more. Holland was nice enough to acquiesce our request and shared some terrific insights on taking her library to the cloud, and how the new features have enhanced the user experience of her patrons.

Q: Can you share one unique fact or feature of your library?

A: The Dubois Library is one of the largest photography libraries in the country. It’s collection is incredibly diverse and includes more than 500 rare books, hundreds of periodicals, auction catalogs, annuals, ephemera, calendars, artist books, and more. It is an amazing resource of materials on photography!

Q: How has taking your library to the cloud impacted your library?

Dubois Library, Museum of Photographic Arts

A: As for taking the library to the cloud, it has worked amazingly well for our library. As a solo staff member of a small library with an even smaller budget, I need to focus time and energy on meeting the information needs of our visitors, not on dealing with hardware and software issues. I’ve had very few instances where the catalog was inaccessible due to servers being down. And, I don’t worry about data lock-in; the few exports I’ve done from the catalog have been very easy and straightforward.

Q: So how have the new features (Google Book Preview, OPAC listings) enhanced the services your library provides?

A: I think it’s pretty obvious that Amazon and Google have had a significant impact on how we search and view information. Users of our online catalog expect to see more than just bibliographic information; they want lots and lots of images, book teases, previews, added content, etc. Google Book Preview meets this expectation and makes the information gathering process a more robust experience. The new “Recently Added Titles” encourages visitors to return again and again to see how the Library collection is constantly expanding. Both of these new features just enhance the whole experience for users of the catalog, and helps us keep pace with what is happening all over the Internet.

Holland's point about aesthetics is well taken. People expect their user interface to look and feel like their favorite sights on the Internet, and offer the same conviniences. At the bottom of the Dubois Library's homepage there are links to our iphone app, integrated social media widgets, and a link to Holland's terrific OPAC page, which is fully customized and inviting to the patrons of her library.

If you would like to have your library success story featured on this blog, please e-mail groggel@libraryworld.com for more information.

Important Announcement: All links switch to New Look on March 5th

Important Announcement

All LibraryWorld links will switch from the Old Look to the New Look on March 5th.

What this means for you:

• All remaining static and/or embedded LibraryWorld links will be coded to point to the New Look.
• When you access your user main page you will see our improved layout design, easier navigation.
• No record information or catalog data will be affected or altered by this change.
• For a complete list of New Look changes, please read our blog. 

What this means for your patrons:

• OPAC navigation is not impacted by these changes. 
• Patrons will notice two enhancements to their OPAC searching experience
• Google Book Preview 
• Recently Added Titles    
• Both the Google Book Preview and Recently Added Titles are optional features that can be turned on or off. Click the links above to learn how to control each feature through your settings panel.

A summary of our new features

January was a busy month for us at LibraryWorld full of new feature releases, the roll out of a brand new look for LibraryWorld, and a lot of listening to your feedback. Here is a summary of the new features that have been implemented in the past month:


1. LibraryWorld's new look:
Everyone should be seeing these changes as we switched over on Feb 1.  This upgrade features a new user interface, improved navigation and increased social media connections.


2. Google Book Previews:
Google Book Previews provide a quick way to view a summary and often contents of a book. You can turn this feature on for the catalog application in the Settings General page. You can also turn this feature on for OPAC users in the Settings OPAC page.


3. Lost and Found feature:
Perhaps the most eagerly awaited addition, the 'lost' command changes the status of a holding to 'LOST', creates a log entry for tracking the number of lost holdings over time and (if the holding was checked out) displays an owed transaction window to charge the patron the price of the holding. You are given the options to charge, mark as paid, or forgive.


4. The LibraryWorld Android App:
Now searching your library is easier than ever! The LibraryWorld search App is now available for your Android mobile phone. Like the iPhone and iPad apps, the LibraryWorld app for Android is offered free of charge to you and your patrons. Users can now search their home library, view book jackets, and check status of circulation items.

5. Search by record type:
Now users can search and browse their collection-specific record types independent from individual record titles. There are two main ways to access this search feature. Within the catalog app, you can roll over the 'Show' button to access a drop down menu of record types for a quick view of all library records associated with the selected record type. You can perform this same search function through the 'Catalog Advanced Search'.

You asked, we listened: our new "Lost and Found" feature

At LibraryWorld, we take your feedback seriously. Whether it is received via our social media outlets (connect with us on Facebook here), our expert customer service department, or through our sales team we value what you have to say. As a result of your feedback, we are happy to annouce that LibraryWorld's new look will now include a "Lost and Found" feature! Many of you have requested this feature, so we hope that you find it helpful in maintaining accurate circulation records.

Here are some details on the Lost and Found feature:

The lost command changes the status of a holding to 'LOST', creates a log entry for tracking the number of lost holdings over time and (if the holding was checked out) displays an owed transaction window to charge the patron the price of the holding. You are given the options to charge, mark as paid, or forgive.

A new lost holdings report is available on the reports page to display all lost holdings by call number. The circulation activity report has also been upgraded to show the number of lost and found holdings over time.

You can mark a holding as LOST when viewing the holding in the catalog or patron modules.

If you check in a holding that had been lost the holding's status will be changed from LOST to IN, the amount charged to the patron for the loss will be removed, and if overdue a fine window will appear allowing the option to charge a late fee. A 'Found' circulation log record will be created to track the number of found holdings over time.

Additionally, the status report now includes column for Lost and Found and the circulation activity report allows you to track changes over time.

As always, please send us your comments and feedback!

LibraryWorld's Google Book Preview feature

As most of you know by now, last week we officially announced LibraryWorld's new look. While we are permanently making the switch effective February 1st, we wanted to give you a little time to interact with the new look and try out some of the new features. If you still haven't checked it out, you can view the new look here.

The first element that you will notice is the visual layout of your library's main page. Sometimes, keeping things simple takes a lot of time to get right. We made an extra effort to increase the efficiency with which you can navigate between the key applications that LibraryWorld offers. Still new to LibraryWorld and feel like you need more information about the applications we offer? We have included a 'more info' link to most application pages next to the page title that takes you to a detailed description of how each application can function for you and your patrons.

Our Google Preview function within your OPAC is something we are truly excited about, as it provides added value to your patrons’ search experience and highlights the strength of the Internet as a tool for your library patrons. Google Book Previews provide a quick way to view a summary and often contents of a book. We have provided a link to the service if your catalog record contains an ISBN number. You can turn this feature on for the catalog application in the Settings General page. You can also turn this feature on for OPAC users in the Settings OPAC page.

Here is an example of what your patrons will see when you have this feature enabled:

OPAC screenshot of MARC21 record

When patrons click on the 'Google Preview' link, they will be directed here

Have fun getting familiar with these new changes to LibraryWorld, and know that there are many more exciting announcements to come. In fact, we are working hard to put the finishing touches on a new feature that many of you have asked for. Keep your eyes peeled to this blog and our Facebook page for that announcement sometime next week.