The IHLS Communications Department has created a customizable Canva template so SHARE members can communicate with stakeholders easily and effectively. Using data from the SHARE Data Dashboard and a few simple calculations, you can make a professional and informative flyer to distribute to patrons, board members, students, and other stakeholders. This template includes multiple examples and instructions on how to customize it.

Exciting News for SHARE Members! Illinois Heartland Library System has just launched three new dashboards to empower SHARE member libraries with valuable insights.

The SHARE Circulation & Resource Sharing Committee recently reviewed a request to add Cards for Kids and Cards for Veterans patron type, in order to make annual reporting easier. The state library now requires data on these two categories of non-resident patron types.  

Right now, we do have those two card categories in a statistical class that are available in the data dashboards, but data has to be entered in the patron registration screen, in the statistical class field.  

Polaris passwords must now be updated annually. If you have not updated your Polaris password within the last year, please visit the password reset page now. The password reset link can also be found in the upper right corner of the SHARE website in the System Status box.You will need to input your username, current password, and the new password you will be using.

See our latest CloudLibrary Featured List.

Great news! Aspen is now accepting credit card payments that will start in Aspen and post back to the patron account in Polaris. The vendors now accepted include NCR, which is the state’s ePay vendor, as well as other vendors like PayPal, PayPal Payflow, Stripe, and Square, among others. If you do not already have your Aspen catalog set up, but would like a credit card payment service included, please submit a help desk ticket with details of the service you use, as well as the necessary credentials.

In some cases, a patron might need a book a bit longer for a book club, homebound support services, or curriculum support. Did you know that we have a list of Libraries That Allow Longer Loan Periods?

Great news! The proposed recommendations passed with a total of 169 member libraries participating in this year’s vote.

SHARE needs members to vote to update our SHARE policies and procedures, to better serve our members and/or follow guidelines set by organizations such as the Illinois State Library, American Library Association, or the Library of Congress.