Changes to the Library Catalog System
Two of the most clichéd quotes about change are, "Change is Good," and "Change is Hard."
Today, you, the residents and users of the Troy Library, and we, the staff of the Library, are experiencing firsthand that "Change is Hard."
The Library has changed to a new computer system called Polaris. This change was made for two very important reasons:
1. Though it may not seem like it now, Polaris is a much more user-friendly system than the old system. It is a more flexible, customizable system which will allow us to offer you services (such as payment by debit and credit card) that we could not offer before.
2. It is more cost-effective. By changing to Polaris, the City (and you, Troy taxpayers) will save $450,000 over the next five years. It is important to be a good steward of your tax dollars at all times, but never more so than in today's challenging economy.
Transitions are never without challenges. No matter how well organized the data transfer, no matter how much publicity the Library issues regarding the changes, and no matter how well prepared Library staff may be, there will always be glitches.
The glitch in this case is the disappearance of all holds from your record. We were assured this would not happen, but unfortunately it did happen. We aren't happy about it either. My staff is addressing this immediately, by working to replace the thousands of holds on our patrons' records. We are replacing all holds on Troy materials, and if Troy Library does not own an item for which you had a hold, we will acquire this item for you through MelCat, the statewide interlibrary loan system, so you will receive it.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO GETTING YOU YOUR HOLDS. It will take some time, so we ask for your patience.
Winston Churchill said, "There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction." While it may take a few days for all of us to see our way clearly, I hope that in the very near future you will see that by making this change, the library has headed in the right direction.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
Every time a corporate entity makes a change to save money, it is to be "user friendly". HA! It is useless to get on a waiting list for a hot book since you can't place a hold unless the book is in. I just ordered a book from Amazon, I guess it will be my new library
There seems to be some confusion in this post. "Hot" books are purchased by the Library in multiple copies. As a general rule 1/3 of the copies are in the system as regular, "holdable" titles that may be reserved (placed on hold), checked out for three weeks, and renewed up to two times - if nobody is currently on a waiting list for the book. Another 1/3 of the titles are put in the system as "rental" copies. They may be kept as long as the borrower wishes, but they do cost twenty-five cents a day - thus the designation rental.
The final third of the copies are put into the "HITS" (high interest titles) collection. Copies in HITS may be checked out for seven days. They may not be placed on hold, nor may they be renewed, but they are free of charge.
By distributing very popular, new titles among these three categories we offer waiting lists for those who would like to place holds, and "hit or miss" for the HITS collection. The rental collection also has a loyal following - indiviuals who prefer to get the books sooner, read them quickly, and don't mind a small daily fee. So, if there are 18 copies of a hot title in our collections, generally six would be regular collection, six rental, and six HITS.
I hope this clarifies the issue of holds and popular titles. For more information, or other questions, please contact: Barbara E. Schaich, Head of Adult Services.
This morning I woke up to emails notifying me that I had a "Final Notice" that my RENTAL book was overdue, my account was now suspended, and a charge for the cost of the book (and processing fee) was added to my account. I know the library staff must be under a lot of stress due to the changes in the new system, and threats of a future library closure, but PLEASE get these things fixed quickly. Because I have been a loyal library patron for years, and even I am getting frustrated. I needed to put books on hold today for a class, and now I can't do so online because my RENTAL book is overdue. I have no desire to go into the library on a busy Saturday, I wanted to sit at home and try out the new system. Yes, I can call, but I have called already, because of the overdue notices I have received with regards to my rental book. I am a quick reader, I check out rental books because I can return them quickly, but I guess 5 days isn't quick enough?
Again, please resolve these issues, because the timing couldn't be worse for you guys. I am willing to pay more taxes to keep the city library open (otherwise wouldn't I have to pay a yearly non-resident fee to use another library anyway? So confusing...) but the library seems to be just falling apart, and that breaks my heart.
While I am sorry that you experienced this problem, I am glad you brought it to our attention so we can fix it. We had arranged to have our notices in the Polaris system go out more quickly than they had done in the SIRSI system; however, this triggered a notice to you (and the block) more quickly as well. The problem is that no system (not SIRSI, not Polaris) distinguishes between rental books and "regular" books. We are working on coming up with a fix to this, which may mean we revert back to the old schedule of notices. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention, and I am sorry for the inconvenience!
In response to your question about using another library if Troy were to close, the answer is yes. You would have to purchase a non-resident card from another library, if the library offers cards to non-residents (not all of them do). For example, Rochester, Baldwin and Bloomfield Twp Public Libraries do not sell non-resident cards. Clawson ($100/yr), Sterling Heights ($200/yr) and Warren ($200/yr) Libraries do sell non-resident cards.
I appreciate your comment about the timing of the city manager's announcement in tandem with the change to Polaris being less than ideal. I promise you, though, that the library is not falling apart. We are working very hard to get back to normal after this system change, and thank you and all of our patrons for their patience and understanding.
First, I like the move to a Content Management System for the Library home page. This will create an interactive environment for patrons to do more than just check out materials. So far I have had no problems accessing all the resources I have been using for years. Polaris is a little bit different than Bistro, but I'll get used to it and everone else will too. As far as all the little quirks that are causing people problems, I am more than positive that the library staff will fix them all. For the past number of years the library staff has been doing a good job and I expect they will continue giving the communiity excellent service.
Second, in view of the City of Troy having a $22m shortfall in the next 6 years, it is good to know that Cathy Russ is pitching in to help out by reducing library spending by $450,000. Moving to Polaris will have it bumps in the short term and once people get used to it, Polaris will work out just fine. The Troy library is a great resource owned by all residents. So instead of complaining about the change and any pain it causes, why not try to work with Cathy and her staff to fix your problems
where the focus is on you
I would say that statement is not true. Evidently, Cathy Russ is so enamored with CMPL that she is doing everything in her power to transform Troy into CMPL Jr, even down to the same system. She must have blocked out the nightmare that the transfer was when CMPL switched from on system to the other. Not only that, but even though Troy and CMPL are using the same system, it is not shared.
If the Cooperative is not meeting Troy's need, why are they staying? To stay in the Cooperative, but using a different system is very confusing for patrons. Instead of this poorly communicated, poorly executed migration, did the director look into seeing if the previous system could have been upgraded to better suit Troy's needs?
So, for as one commentor worked out, a miniscule savings per person, the ability to save lists, and shorter hold waits, Cathy Russ decided that it was worth the trouble. No matter that the patrons no have to search three different places to fulfill their needs, as well as go to two different locations to pick up their holds. MelCat is nice, but only if the item is in can you place a hold on it. Then you have to wait 7-10 days for it.
How can Troy claim the focus is on you, the patron, when they have now made it a little harder for you, the patron, to fully utilize the Cooperative in which the library belongs?
Also, how poor was the communication? Cathy Russ now sees that she should have better communicated the changes. The fact that she, as director, didn't see the need to clearly explain the changes to the patrons ahead of time, and to anticipate any problems with some sort of back up plan in place (the mass cancelling of the holds), speaks volumes of her directing abilities. But clearly, Cathy Russ has been so overwhelmed by the legitimate complaints and concerns that she can only respond with the same cut and paste response.
My sympathy is with the front line staff, who are facing the brunt of the patron's dissatisfaction and anger, through no fault of their own.
It is unfortunate that you have chosen add to the fire with your angy vitriol. Yes, the transition to the new system clearly did not go as smoothly as anyone would have wished. And yes, there are unhappy people, however it would be more effective to direct your energies to towards a positive problem solving path and not to continue to beat up the "front line staff, who are facing the brunt of the patron's dissatisfaction and anger" as you so eloquently wrote.
Most of the larger libraries in the metropolitan Detroit area have "stand alone" computer systems....West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Township, Southfield, Farmington, Rochester Hills. What does this mean to the library users? Yes, it may take an additional click or two to get to another catalog, however, all of the other cooperative members cannot automatically place holds on each others material. Taxpayers from each community will have a better opportunity to find the needed material at their own library. Stand- alone systems, by their very nature, give taxpayers a better chance to find material at their own library.
MelCat is an incredible resource. Most material does arrive in a week or less. If that is too long for you to wait to have the material conveniently delivered to TPL, you can search the catalogs from other area libraries and retrieve the material on your own timetable.
It is unfortunate that you have chosen to spew discord and dissent, knowing that the time it takes staff to appropriately respond to your comments takes away time and energy that could be directed towards working on problem solving.
I am confused with this new website. With the old website, I was able to find books easily. Now when I search for some of the books I know the library has because I've seen them in the old catalog search engine, it tells me the book doesn't exist. Are the staff members still adding books? What's going on?
(example book: Special A by Minami Maki)
Thanks for your question.
Through the former shared online catalog you were able to look at search results from the entire Suburban Library Cooperative. We still belong to SLC, but now have our own system, so Troy residents need to request titles owned by the other members through MeLCat for pick up and return at Troy Library. The graphic novel series you mention is indeed available through MeLCat. The full title of the series is S.A. Special A by Minami Maki.
In the meanwhile, we are purchasing many new books. To make specific suggestions for purchase use the request forms available at all public desks in the Library or submit them online using the contact form.
Finally, we are in the process of integrating our new system with MeLCat. This was something that was not possible through the old system. Once we are done, within a few weeks, you will be able to use your Polaris account to request & renew items from both Troy and MeLCat participating libraries all in one place, your Troy Library account.
To read more about the future enhancements to the online catalog, read Using MeLCat, the Statewide Library Resource Sharing System.
Unfortunately the implementation of the new catalog system resulted in significant loss of functionality.
- We are unable to place holds through the library cooperative and have the books delivered to Troy.
- We can place holds through MelCat but their system does not have a queuing mechanism. If the book is not available at the time, we need to keep checking.
- I just tried to login to see what materials I have checked out, but it did not work. I clicked on "Forgot your password?" but it did not send me an email.
If you're interested in the library as an event hub, you'll be happy with the upgrade. If you are an avid reader, not so much. We have been left behind.
Once we implement our new system fully and integrate with the MeLCat statewide catalog, we believe that you will actually have better access to books. We anticipate that integration in the near future as we work out some issues.
The reason that you did not receive an email response to your password request is that we have had a problem displaying some emails. If you cannot log into your account or have any concern at all with your email not working, please contact the Circulation desk at 248.524.3538. A staff member can help you with this quickly.
Again, we apologize for any inconvenience.
In one of your responses about searching elsewhere for books if Troy does not have them, you suggested going to "mel.org" and clicking on the "MeLCat" link. Is the "mel.org" link on the Troy main page? I could not find it.
Currently, there is not a link to MeLCat on the home page of our Library Catalog. We are in the process of integrating our new system with MeLCat -- something we could not do until our system was live. Once done, there will be a link to MeLCat at the end of an unsuccessful search in our Library Catalog.
In the meantime, if you do not find something in our catalog, you can go directly to MeLCat at http://mel.org, and click on the MeLCat link to perform your search.
My Checkouts are not showing up on Polaris so I don't know the due date. I couldn't find the receipt (I don't keep it normally since I always check my library account before). How should I know how many items I checked out and when they are due to avoid overdue fines? Please advise. I talked this with a library staff and she had no idea what I should do to get it straight.
Who should I contact with for the missing checkouts? Thanks.
I apologize a staff member was not able to answer your questions about your checkouts.
I would suggest you contact our Circulation head, Kathy McKinney, directly at 248.619.7583 or k.mckinney@troymi.gov.
Really??? We basically can't place holds unless Troy actually has the book on the shelf? Thanks for the tip about Clawson and Sterling Heights libraries--will definitely pursue those options as it's clear the changes are for the worse.
You can still get books from other libraries that you used to get holds from, you just have to go to them and get your card augmented...Easy as pie. There is a reciprocal borrowing privilege that allows you to have books from anywhere in the Suburban Library Cooperative. And if you want to hold books from the SLC system still you can still have them delivered to the most convenient library to you, say Sterling Heights for example. Or wherever you feel like. You're not stuck with just whatever Troy has on the shelf.
In fact, you can place a hold on any Troy-owned item, whether or not the item is on the shelf.
If the item is on the shelf, it will be available to you the next business day or sooner; if it is not, your name will be placed in a hold queue, just as before.
I'm really disappointed in the new system from a reader's point of view. I've been an avid user of the old TPL system for holds in particular, and in managing the books I have out. Since that option has basically been taken away, and since my entire list of holds is no longer available, I'll probably have to change libraries. TPL no longer meets my needs.
We would encourage you to take another look at the Library Catalog now that we have many of the bugs worked out. The option of placing a book on hold is still there, and if you are a Troy resident, you will actually have greater access to the material Troy owns.
In the end, we believe that our new system will mean real improvements, especially for Troy residents who use the Library. We don't believe you will be able to find better service any where else.
I am not impressed with this new system. If you need to know everything about me, including email address, why can't it notify me when my requested books are available?
I realize there are growing pains with any new software, however, it doesn't seem like there was much quality assurance done before the rollout.
And, since the library will be closing if the administrations gets its way, who cares if and when this software will be working properly.
We will continue to notify you when your holds are available or when material is due. However, when we switched to our new system, some email addresses did not display. Please contact us by phone or email, or by using our Have A Question? virtual reference service from our homepage. We will correct your email address. We apologize for the inconvenience.
In the past I could place a hold on upcoming titles and wait my turn for them. I tried to reserve two titles Southern Lights by Danielle Steele and Lakeshore Christmas by Susan Wiggs. Both of these titles were available for reservations on the Suburban Coop system but not Troy. You cannot reserve these titles on MELCAT because their system only allows you to select a title if it is CURRENTLY available. This is a huge disappointment and a big waste of time to continually have to check over and over again for the same titles.
It's taken me several days of phone calls to determine what the capabilities would be of the new computer system, and I'm largely very disappointed with my findings.
I do find it helpful that when one reviews one's account, Polaris lists the number of days the title will remain on hold. However, it is a real disadvantage that one is not notified of her/his holds using the new system. In the past, patrons were able to receive notifications via either phone or email. If Polaris is intended to do this, it's not working properly right now, since I just learned, by checking, that some books were apparently already on hold for me, and I wasn't notified as expected.
The greatest disadvantage I've learned, however, is that if the Troy Library doesn't have a title, and one wants to obtain it through MelCat, a copy of the title must be available at that moment in order for it to be requested for you--in other words, if the Troy Library doesn't carry or is out of a hot title, and none is immediately available through MelCat, there is no way to get on the waiting list for it on MelCat. I learned this when I tried to place a hold on a title Troy doesn't carry, and learned that in MelCat, there is no way to be added to a queue to eventually receive it when it becomes available. I can think of several books in the past year in which I was #50 or greater, in line to receive a book, and now, I can only be placed in line to receive one of Troy's drastically fewer number of copies--or can't be placed in line through MelCat at all if Troy doesn't carry it. This problem with MelCat obviously wasn't caused by Troy, but it is an enormous disadvange to patrons. As is Troy no longer having borrowing privileges with other libraries in the coop, which was often a fast solution to obtaining a book in the past.
This last disadvantage above is a deal-breaker for our family. We'd rather not need to remember whether we checked out books from the Troy Library or a different library in the co-op, so we've decided to transition over to the Sterling Hts. Library as our main library, which still has borrowing privileges within the Suburban Library Co-op. It's slightly farther, but we'd rather do all of our patronage at one library that can access all of the books within the co-op. I would also encourage Troy patrons to consider registering for borrowing privileges at the Clawson Library. I learned that all one needs to do is take one's Troy library card to Clawson and register as a non-resident. Clawson is in a different co-op than Troy was, and it's called The Libary Network. As I understand it, registered non-resident borrowers can place holds on books within that network of local MI libraries just as Troy users used to be able to place holds in titles within the Suburban Library Co-op.
Unfortunately, before our family can start using the Sterling Hts. library exclusively, we need to contact Troy yet again to see how all of our old holds, titles we returned weeks ago, can be cleared out from our old accounts in the old computer system. I'm glad the Troy Library's web page explains the cost savings incurred by switching to the new computer system, since that alone seems to be the only sizable, valid benefit to patrons that I can discern--the new system is only negligibly more user-friendly.
I think we are all realizing, bit by bit, what the consequences are of this move to a system that is different from the one in the SLC. I understand the financial savings that are critical to the library and the community, and I would like to know, specifically, where they come from.
Lost functionality, as listed above (and elsewhere), is fairly significant. Thank you person above for offering alternatives such as using different libraries to be able to use and take advantage of a shared catalog and borrowing privilges.
As MelCat is part of the Library of Michigan -- which is being relocated and cuts made -- what happens to this organization and its funding could affect the continuing existance of the MelCat service. If that should happen and I do not know the likelihood of it, then wouldn't Troy patrons be very limited as to the collections they have access to?
The person who suggested an FAQ is correct, It's not efficient to wade through these comments to try to figure all of this out.
I'm interested in 1) why the decision was made, 2) what all the consequences are to residents and patrons, and 3) why you didn't think you should get ahead of the curve on this and explain and communicate all of this. Lost holds are really just a small part of this and that is the only thing that was commented on directly to everyone.
Thanks.
Thank you for your comments.
The decision to move to Polaris was made as a cost savings measure, and because, when all is said and done, Polaris is a more user-friendly system.
Polaris will save the City $450,000 over five years. We believe it is important to be good stewards of your tax dollars at all times, but never more so than in today's challenging economy. The Suburban Library Cooperative charged the Troy Public Library $207,000 per year to be a member of the shared automation system. That cost was increasing to $229,500 for the current year, and $261,000 in fiscal year 2011. Based on those numbers, I thought it was important to at least investigate the possibility of running a "standalone" automation system as many libraries in the area do, for example, Rochester, Baldwin, Bloomfield Twp, and Clinton Macomb. Clinton Macomb Public Library, like Troy, is a member of the Suburban Library Cooperative.
An additional factor in wanting to look at what else was out there was the fact that the SIRSI system had not been upgraded in several years. Polaris is much more user-friendly, flexible and customizable, which will allow us to offer you additional services.
Searching the catalog is easier, as your can now arrange your results by relevancy, date published, author, or call number. The "Narrow Your Search" feature helps you to more quickly and efficiently find DVDs or audiobooks.
This new software also allows you to better manage your record: You can now see how many times you have renewed items; you can save your frequent searches; and you can keep track of your reading list.
In the future, this software will allow us to offer even more services, such as payment by debit and credit card, which we could not offer before.
In terms of the impact to Troy residents: You will have access to even more print material, as we more fully integrate our catalog with MeLCat. Already many of our patrons are taking advantage of the opportunity to borrow material from the Dearborn Public Library, Wayne State, Eastern Michigan University, and many other area libraries.
Your access to non-print material will change a bit. If Troy owns the item, you will be able to place a request and pick up the material from Troy. If Troy does not own the item but an SLC library does, you will still be able to access it, but you will have to visit the owning library.
Thought this may limit your access to non-print material at other libraries, it also means that Troy will not loan as much non-print material. This will result in more of our material being on the shelves for Troy residents to access.
In the short term, we have reallocated more money to our non-print budget. If there is something that you would like that we do not own, but is available at other libraries, please do not hesitate to request it and we will make every effort to purchase it.
In the long term, we are working to open our catalog to non-print material through MeLCat.
Finally, on the issue of communication: One of the reasons we changed to this format for our website is to use it as an interactive vehicle for communication about changes (like the new computer system), as well as ongoing news about Library events, services, collections and programs.
We'd actually planned to have the new website up in July, and intended to use it as a major source of information regarding the new system; unfortunately, the launch of the website was delayed until the time of our change to Polaris, so we unveiled them more or less simultaneously. In the meantime, there were articles in the newspaper about the upcoming system change, as well as articles in this quarter's Troy Today, and signs at the library.
I agree that we should have found more creative ways of publicizing the change to the new system, as not everyone reads newspapers, or even visits the library on a regular basis. Your point is well taken.
I apologize for the length of this message, but I felt it was important to address all of your concerns. If you have specific questions, please don't hesitate to call me at 248.524.3544 or email me directly at C.Russ@troymi.gov.
If this explanation holds true , and our experience has been the same re holds and MelCat, we too will leave the TPL after 25 years. Technology in the name of money savings only is a disservice. Perhaps closing the library as a cost saving measure is the best idea after all.
I really can't belive the whining I'm reading here. I have no doubt that the same people complaining about how the savings isn't worth the trouble are the people who complain about tax dollars being wasted. So what if I have to go pick up a hold for a DVD at the lending library. So what if I have to wait an extra few days because the hold was through MeL. If i want the item that bad I'll get it at Amazon or NetFlix! Do you people really think that avoiding those inconveniences are worth 230K+ a year?!? You are nuts. And to suggest "closing the library" is a good idea beacuse of a few problems is not only rude but sounds likes a bratty kid stomping off to his/her room. Please grow up and say somthing constructive.
I say GREAT JOB TPL (and staff). You are handing everything with tact and professionalism!
I have always enjoyed coming the the Troy Library. The staff has gone out of their way to help me with the computer, with finding fun, interesting books and "books on tape" for my 89 year old mother, and in researching books for me. And they have done everything in a very pleasant way.
When my brother had an unexpectant retirement, he asked me what he should do? I said, "Go the the Troy Library. It's a great place!! You can take classes, use the internet, you'll have a ball!" And so he did, which opened up a new world for him as well.
In the past, I always associated libraries with cold, strict, starkness but Troy Library with all it's friendly and KNOWLEDGEABLE personnel has changed my opinion.
I say, BE PATIENT. A baby has to walk before it can run. This is a work in progress and will get better.
THANK YOU TROY LIBRARY. I KNOW IT HAS BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF HARD WORK FOR YOU AND I APPRECIATE IT.
I agree!!!!!
I would like to suggest that you add a FAQ sheet or an impact summary to your home page about how your recent changes affect Troy residents and Suburban Library Cooperative residents who don't live in Troy. I spent some time reading through all 70 comments (at time of writing) and I now THINK that I understand how the changes are going to affect me (a Sterling Heights resident). A FAQ sheet or an impact summary would alleviate a lot of confusion and save a lot of people quite a bit of time.
Congratulations on developing a more attractice and interactive system - I've been waiting! :)
I'm glad that i can search the catalog from the home page now - a great improvement - but I would like to be able to get to the advanced search function more easily.
The "My Account" area is also much improved. It's great to know how many more renewals I have on various items.
I've read some of the posts about borrowing materials through MelCat, which I have done frequently in the past, but don't you prefer us to access the pooled collections of the Suburban Library Cooperative members first? Has your relationship with libcoop.net changed? If I search MelCat, will items in the cooperative show up first before, say, an item located at the Ada Public Library? Again, if I could get to the advanced search screen right away, I could search for a more obscure item across several catalogs initially. If it turns out that you have it at Troy, bonus!
Thanks for your comments.
We put the basic search feature on the home page because most of our patrons are comfortable with the basic search, and because, practically, an advanced search would take up too much of the page. Having such immediate access to searching our catalog -- something our previous website could not do -- is a real improvement for our patrons. In no time, I am sure that you will be able to navigate to the (much-improved) advanced screen expertly.
While Troy is still a member of the Suburban Library Cooperative, we no longer share a catalog. That's why, if Troy does not own the material, the easiest, fastest, and most efficient search is to use MeLCat, the statewide library catalog. MeLCat will not look first for SLC owned titles; it will fill your request with the next available item, no matter where it is in the State of Michigan.
And soon, as mentioned in previous comments, we will more closely integrate our new catalog with MeLCat, in terms of searching and how items are tracked on your records. Easier and more access to material -- a real improvement with our new processes.
The descriptions used in Polaris to communicate where one is with respect to a hold being ready for pick-up could be made more clear. A status of "held" on any hold seems ambiguous, does it not? It would seem that if the system accepts an item to be placed on hold, that particular hold is already both active and pending, is it not? My recommendation would be to have just 2 status messages attributed to holds: either "pending" or "ready". The status message of "held" for a hold that is ready is not as clear. Thanks...
I will forward this to our systems administrator. We will be refining the interface over the next period of time.
Thanks for your suggestion.
omg i hate this stupid new website!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think the new site is awesome. But the new catalog is stupid. The old one was better because you could search in all the libraries to place holds. But don't confuse the new web site (great) and the new catalog (not great).
You know, you can comment without being rude. Why don't you explain what it is that you don't like?
Thanks Troy Library! I LOVE the new system! I think it's so much easier to use and I'm able to navigate so much more quickly. Thanks for everything you do--I have no idea what I'd do without you!
I think a library employe wrote that one.
I think you are right about that
I agree Now we cant get anything except what TPL has. I certainly find that very limited I too am leaving and going to Sterling Heights Library They atill have IBISTRO Check it out. And it had to be an employee
If you do not find something in our catalog, you can go directly to MeLCat at http://www.mel.org, and click on the MeLCat link to perform your search. Items requested through the Michigan eLibrary are sent to Troy for you to pick up.
How do we search for books in other libraries? We used to be able to choose either "Troy" or the other libraries in the Suburban coop.
If you are a Troy resident and cannot find a book in our catalog, go to mel.org and click on MeLCat, the statewide library catalog. From there, you will be able to find books in libraries across the State of Michigan (including libraries in the cooperative) and have them delivered in a timely manner to the Troy Library for you to pickup. If you are not a Troy resident, you will have to pick up holds placed through MeLCat at your home library.
Ok, if I were to just start with the home page, where would I find "mel.org" that you referred to in your post. Sorry for being such a dunce, but I looked on the new main page and did not see this. Is there a link from the main page?
Currently, there is not a link to MeLCat on the home page of our Library Catalog. We are in the process of integrating our new system with MeLCat -- something we could not do until our system was live. Once done, there will be a link to MeLCat at the end of an unsuccessful search in our Library Catalog.
In the meantime, if you do not find something in our catalog, you can go directly to mel.org, and click on the MeLCat link to perform your search.
I very much like the new website, and especially because it supports this kind of communication. I'm sure I will get used to the new system in time. I am curious though why you didn't let people know some of the big changes that were coming. People liked being able to search for items in all the libraries in the SLC. So it's a big change that we can no longer do that. Why not a head's up so that we have time to get used to the idea. That would have alleviated many of the questions or criticisms that people have commented on.
Thanks.
Thank you for your positive comments about the new website, and your willingness to give the new system a chance.
One of the reasons we changed to this format for our website is to use it as an interactive vehicle for communication about changes (like the new computer system), as well as ongoing news about Library events, services, collections and programs.
We'd actually planned to have the new website up in July, and intended to use it as a major source of information regarding the new system; unfortunately, the launch of the website was delayed until the time of our change to Polaris, so we unveiled them more or less simultaneously. In the meantime, there were articles in the newspaper about the upcoming system change, as well as articles in this quarter's Troy Today, and signs at the library.
I agree that we should have found more creative ways of publicizing the change to the new system, as not everyone reads newspapers, or even visits the library on a regular basis. Your point is well taken, and our hindsight is 20/20.
We are addressing comments, issues and concerns with Polaris on an hourly basis, and I am sure the system you see now will be improved a week from now, a month from now, and a year from now. I hope that the new website will function as a billboard for all things that are taking place at the Library, so nothing like this will happen again and appear to have occurred so spontaneously.
Many thanks again for your positive comments.
Evidently, you tried to fix something which wasn't broke. What you did was to get rid of an old system which worked just fine and was easy to use, and replaced it with a hard to read system which does not function very well. The new system is hard to use, hard to find everything. The screen is very cluttered and too much space is given to what I dont need to read. The search engine is terrible. I did several searches with the old system and found several pages. The same exact search with the new system gets me nothing or almost nothing - which makes the new search function worthless and I cant find books or movies at other libraries with the same searches. I think we should return this new system get our tax payer money back, and bring back the old system which was working just fine.