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Aspen Discovery Implementation Begins

Are you ready to get the Aspen Discovery implementation process rolling?

SHARE staff and ByWater Solutions have worked together to create a plan of action, outlined below.

 

Cohort Model

Due to the large number of libraries that have chosen to add Aspen Discovery, we’ll use a ‘cohort model’ for the implementation. Each cohort will consist of 20 – 30 libraries. Our first cohort will begin training in November 2023 with a tentative ‘Go Live’ date of December 18. This cohort will be involved in product testing and reporting issues. We anticipate that every library will be through the implementation process by late Spring 2024. Wondering which cohort your library is in? You can view the list here: Aspen Cohort List

If your library is listed as a first cohort member, you should have already received a welcome email from Lesley Zavediuk.

Common Loan Periods

SHARE would like to welcome the inaugural members to the Common Loan Period Group:

Central Citizens’ Library District, Marrowbone Public Library District, Mississippi Valley Library District, O’Fallon Public Library, Paris Carnegie Library, Rend Lake College, Smithton Public Library, Tolono Public Library, Wayne City Kissner Public Library, and Williamsville Public Library.

Many times, library patrons borrow items from multiple libraries, and this can result in many different loan periods. With shared loan and renewal periods we hope to simplify things for the patrons and for the frontline staff as well. After much discussion the Group suggested the following:

  • Books, Kits, Periodicals, and Audiobooks—3-week loan period, with 2 renewals
  • DVDs, Music CDs, and Video Games—2-week loan period, with 2 renewals

Libraries have the option to participate fully, or a la carte. If your library would just like to have your books and audiobooks with the common loans, that is fine. You can find all the details at Common Loan Periods under the Circulation tab on the SHARE website.

If your library is interested in joining the Common Loan Period Group, please contact Dena Porter.

New Text Alert Service

SHARE has a new text alert service in the event of a Polaris outage. Text POLARIS to 84483 to receive alerts from SHARE. You will only receive an alert in the event of a system outage.

You will also receive email from SHARE's Official Business mailing list. You can sign up for all emails and newsletters from IHLS and SHARE here.

SHARE Mobile Library

The SHARE Mobile Library app is here!

SHARE Mobile Library AppOur automated library consortium now has a mobile app! The SHARE Mobile Library, created with the Solus library app platform, allows your patrons to browse new books, renew your items, search digital content, add and manage multiple accounts, and find your nearest public library, all in the app. Keep an eye on this page for all of the latest SHARE Mobile Library news and resources! LEARN MORE

 

Bookmarks, door signs, and social media images are now available on our SHARE Mobile Library Marketing Materials page!