FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –

Local Libraries Announce New Online Catalog

~ Online catalog service will be unavailable September 11 & 12 ~

(Boise, Idaho – September 5, 2006) Local libraries are upgrading their online catalog service, moving to a new system that includes photos, plot summaries and reviews. The new system will be in place and ready for customers to use on Wednesday, September 13, at most libraries. However, on Monday and Tuesday, during the two-day migration from the old system to the new, there will be NO online catalog service available.

“Catalog service will be unavailable at most local public libraries on September 11 and 12,” said Laurel White, Division Manager for Information Technology and Circulation at Boise Public Library. “In most cases, customers will still be able to use library websites and online research databases, connect to the Internet, and check out books. Library staff will be glad to assist in finding books, movies and other items.”

The break in online catalog service and the start-up of the new catalog service affects nine southwestern Idaho public libraries: Ada Community, Boise, Caldwell, Eagle, Garden City, Hailey, Meridian, Nampa and Twin Falls. While Boise Public Library will maintain regular open hours during the transition, a few of the libraries may close or reduce hours of operation. Library users are encouraged to contact their local library for details.

The nine libraries offer their combined online catalog through the LYNX! Consortium, southwest Idaho’s largest wide-area network. As of October 1, 2005, the shared catalog database contained over 1.1 million item records, with an annual circulation of 4.2 million.

The system is housed at Boise Public Library, which provides system administration and maintenance and a web server for its own website and for those of some LYNX! members. Boise Public Library installed the first automated circulation system in Idaho in 1975 and was one of the first libraries nationwide to use such a system. The original consortium was formed in the late 1970s; the current integrated online catalog system was installed in 1996.

“We’ve used the current system for ten years, with periodic upgrades,” said White. “It has served its purpose well, but with the popularity of sites like Amazon.com, today’s readers want more features and more intuitive navigation. The new catalog, the SirsiDynix Horizon Information Portal, will be easier for customers to use, and provides more information in familiar, attractive formats.”

All customer account information will be migrated to the new system, so library users will be able to start using the new online catalog immediately. For more information about hours of operation for individual libraries, and about online catalog availability, please contact your local library.

# # #

Last Updated: 09/12/2006  JMH