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Photo by Drew Fleming From left, Jackson County Library employees Jennifer Matheson and Mary Curry, accompanied by Jane Jones of Fullerton, Calif., watch a presentation on the new Polaris automated cataloging system. Library gets computer upgrade New system will increase access By PETER WONG Patrons of the Jackson County Library System can expect faster electronic access to more books and other materials as a Southern Oregon consortium prepares to launch Polaris. This Polaris is not an experiment involving the North Star or the first submarine-launched ballistic missile the United States developed in the 1960s. It's the name of the latest automated cataloging system that will allow library patrons of Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties and Rogue Community College to share about 1 million books and other items. Unlike the decade-old system now in use, Polaris will be a point-and-click system that most computer users will recognize. "For people used to Windows, it probably will be easier to use than the Jackson Automated Catalog," said Ronnie Budge, Jackson County library director. "For others, it will take a little bit of adjustment. But I think it's fairly intuitive. These systems are designed so that average patrons can walk up to them and figure out what to do." Staff help will be available. To install the new system and computer terminals, Jackson County will have to close its libraries starting two weeks from today, probably on a staggered schedule not yet set. Of 325 work stations planned in three counties, Budge said about 200 will be in Jackson County, and none of its branches has room for old and new terminals side by side. The main library in Medford is likely to be closed for a week. But Budge said that when the system is up and running by the end of December, patrons will have access to more than twice as many books as the 450,000 in the county's own collections. "We know there will be a lot of items in Josephine or Klamath counties that are not in Jackson County libraries," she said. "There is a definite advantage in that patrons will have a broader selection of materials. ... There also was a great financial advantage in doing this together." As the Southern Oregon Library Information System, the four libraries joined to buy a cataloging system that will link 15 libraries in Jackson County, four each in Josephine and Klamath counties, and RCC. Its cost will be paid from $800,000 in a federal grant awarded through the Oregon State Library, $300,000 from the Meyer Memorial Trust of Portland, and contributions from the participating libraries for equipment and staff time. It is by Gaylord Information Systems of Liverpool, N.Y., which has the same system in operation in suburban Portland's Washington County. Though Washington County's system serves about 100,000 more people, the Southern Oregon system will cover the largest area in the state. "For the first time, these Oregonians will enjoy library services that are comparable to those in more urban areas in the state,'' said State Librarian Jim Scheppke. "We also chose to support the SOLIS project because it springs from a spirit of cooperation and collaboration on the part of three counties and one community college district." Budge said that cooperation was born from necessity, because each of the three counties needed to replace its decade-old computerized cataloging system. "We were told that the Oregon State Library would be interested only if we formed a single consortium," she said. An Internet version, scheduled for operation next year, will enable patrons to have access to the expanded catalog from home or elsewhere. Instructions will be displayed on the screen, unlike the library version, but the Internet version will have fewer options. Library gets more user-friendly In addition to an expanded catalog of holdings from four library systems, Library Director Ronnie Budge said the new system offers these features: Patron access to personal records with entry of their library card numbers and passwords. The system will allow patrons to review what books and other materials they have checked out, requested for holds, have overdue or owe fines on. Fine-free months have been declared for December and January to encourage patrons to return overdue materials. Starting in January, loans will be for three weeks with no grace period. Budge said though most records have been transferred electronically, the transfers exclude "holds" of specific materials. Patrons should obtain printouts that can be entered into the new system. Greater latitude for patrons and library staff to search for materials beyond author, subject and title. Expansion of the catalog to magazine holdings. Budge said the cataloging will apply to new magazines, not back issues, but will allow patrons to request holds that currently must be done on paper. More computer terminals that can double as stations for Internet access -- though some terminals will be reserved for catalog use. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA