Polaris Alert for Windows 11 Computers: Microsoft has released a major update to Windows 11, named "Cumulative Update for Windows 11, version 22H2.” IHLS IT staff has found that this update breaks the Remote Desktop Connection to Polaris. If possible, delay this update while we work on a permanent fix. Read more for details.
Take a look at what's happening in our latest SHARE Member Notes!
Share is offering a new, first of its kind, book leasing program for consortia, McNaughton Book Leasing for SHARE! It makes the McNaughton program accessible, since it is scalable to libraries with a variety of budgets and needs. Sign up for January - June 2023!
The program will include an automated, standing order style program for bestselling titles, available through two unique packages: a small plan with 5 books per month, or a large plan, 10 books per month. All items will come fully cataloged and processed, including barcodes and spine labels. The price for each plan will include shipping to SHARE at IHLS Edwardsville, which will then be sent to your library via delivery.
Why participate in McNaughton Book Leasing for SHARE?
- Reduced Holds: The plans will provide leased copies of the best sellers, which will reduce hold ratios on the top titles for your patrons.
- Saved Staff Time: In addition to saved staff time on purchasing, these items will come to you fully cataloged and processed, ready to fulfill patron requests.
- Convenience: Titles are delivered to you ready to circulate, while SHARE will manage contracts, cataloging, and shipping.
- Saved Space: When the books are weeded, they will be returned to SHARE, leaving more space for newer, more in demand titles.
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.
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.
The SHARE Mobile Library app is here!
Our 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!
We recently upgraded to Polaris 7.0.
There are many great features in the Polaris 7.0 upgrade, with many geared toward Leap. One long-awaited feature is the ability to import and edit bibliographic records, which includes the use of newly created cataloging shortcut keys. Another great feature is the ability to place multiple patrons on hold for one title in Leap. This is a great feature for library front-line staff to place holds for book club members.
If you would like an overview of the new features, please view this presentation.
If you have any questions, please contact Dena Porter.
For anyone who has not yet tried Leap, or needs a refresher, here's a training session!
Here is a quick tutorial on how to access your library's online catalog, search for items, and log in to your account in order to renew or request items.