Bartlesville Public Library

POLARIS COMING SOON

The Bartlesville Public Library is moving to a new automated library system. What does this mean for you?

• THE GOOD NEWS: The new system will have many improvements that our users have been asking for.

• THE NOT-SO-GOOD NEWS: Like any major computer system change, there will be some inconvenience for a couple of weeks. In preparation for our new catalog, access to our current catalog is extremely limited the week of May 16-21. Library Staff will be working diligently to meet the needs of all of our customers during this time. Thank you for your patience, we promise it will be well-rewarded when we debut our new and improved catalog on May 22!

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THIS TIME OF TRANSITION: From May 16-21, we will not be able to fill existing hold requests and customers will not be able to place new hold requests. This is to assure that each customer's place in the library's holds queue will be retained during the transfer to Polaris. From May 17-21, library catalog access will be limited, but librarians will support customers in person and by phone to help them find what they are looking for.

After closing on May 15, the Library will freeze most transactions (other than basic checkout with a library card) so the situation that exists in the old system at the end of the day on May 16 can be re-created when the new system goes live on May 22. The old online catalogs will be brought offline and retired after closing on May 15.

Patrons MUST present their library cards to check out materials from May 16 -21. No new library cards will be issued at this time. For all items checked out between May 1-17 the library is extending the loan period to thank customers for their understanding during the transition to Polaris. Everything checked out during this time will be due on May 23. On May 22, we will introduce a great new system and online catalog with many popular features. But please be patient as we learn the new system. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

A note for those curious about exactly what an automated library system is: An automated library system is the computer system that keeps track of the library’s lending collection and your account information. From the Library website you have most likely used this system to search for books and other items, place holds, or check account information. The system we have been using is Horizon for Sirsi-Dynix. A new Polaris Library System is being installed.

Polaris is currently used in over 1,800 libraries of all types, both in the United States and Canada and we are thrilled to join their ranks and bring exciting new features to our library. Polaris will offer the following enhancements and tools for library customers:

• FREE mobile applications to access and search the library materials catalog

• Manage your library account with a customized username and password

• Make online payments 24/7 and receive receipts for library transactions by text message or email

• Save searches and keep track of library items previously checked out

• Smart search tools to quickly find library resources

• Sort search results by relevance and popularity

• Text It feature to send a catalog number by text message

Thank you for your patience during this transition!

LEGAL FORMS, GENEALOGY, & CAR REPAIR INFORMATION

The Library has aquired three new database subscriptions. The Legal Forms database provides forms for divorce, name changes, rental agreements and much more, formatted specificallly for the state of Oklahoma. Forms can be downloaded to Word to customize, and there are even examples of forms that are already filled out that can be viewed.

We've changed our Auto Repair Database to information from Chilton's. Lots of car repair information, including wiring diagrams, is available for hundreds of cars and trucks.

Gale Genealogy Resources allows you to easily search and browse authoritative genealogy ebooks that were formerly only available in print.

BPL BOOK CLUBS (All are welcome to attend)

Gentle Reads (Third Thursday): May 16 @ 2pm THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY

Johnstone Irregulars (First Tuesday): May 7 @ 7pm WHERE'D YOU GO BERNADETTE by Maria Semple