eResources

It’s been a little while, so it’s time for updated Cloud Library/Kindle Fire instructions! You’ll find a new, easier to follow guide attached to this email as well as an updated version of our guide for older devices. You’ll also find these new handouts posted on the SHARE training site within the Cloud Library Demo course. Simply log in with your Polaris user name and password, self-enroll in any of the courses you are interested in and you’ll always have access to training materials.

Did you know that your patrons now have access to browser-based reading through the Cloud Library web portal? This is great news for patrons that may have older devices that are no longer compatible with the app. To use this functionality, patrons only need to visit ebook.yourcloudlibrary.com/library/illinoisheartland via any web browser on their device and log in with their library barcode number and pin. Patrons can then navigate to My Books to access and read their borrowed items.

In case you missed it, the Cloud Library now allows patrons to place holds on presale items. You’ll notice we’ve added a new shelf in the line up on the Featured area in the app titled ‘Coming Soon!’ This should help us to more effectively monitor holds queues and work to purchase enough copies to keep patrons’ wait times down. When shopping in CAT, you’ll be able to see how many copies we’ve ordered and how many holds might be on those presale items.

For those of you with Cloud Library shopping carts, I’ll be purchasing on Thursday this week and next to make sure our patrons have plenty to read over the holidays. If you want to purchase items for the Cloud be sure to have those items finalized in your cart on Thursday, 12/22 and Thursday, 12/29 before noon. In case you missed it, the Cloud Library team will be releasing some updates to CAT very soon!

In the month of November, over 29,500 items were circulated in the Cloud Library shared collection. Circulation of eAudiobooks keeps rising and our eBook circ is holding steady. Remember, libraries in SHARE that aren’t already participating in the Cloud Library can sign up at any time. Simply send me a completed fee request form and I’ll let you know the prorated amount for your library.  

Don’t forget – Cloud Library participants are allowed to use 75% of their member fee to add titles to the shared collection using their Cloud Library shopping cart. Believe it or not, we’re almost half way through the year and our libraries still have over $19,000 left to spend – that’s a lot of eBooks! Many libraries have opted to add their 75% to our “no cart” list. If you don’t have time to shop and would like to do the same, please let me know.

Reciprocal Borrowers & eResources:

Purchases for the Cloud Library will be made on Thursday (10/20) after 12:00 pm this week.  Please make sure you have any items that you would like purchased for the shared collection in your cart by noon on October 20. Not sure what to buy? You’ll find a new Community Cart in CAT with the 2016 National Book Award Finalists. Have you used your shopping cart at all since July? If not, you might want to turn it over to me and have your library added to the ‘no cart’ list. I’m always willing to take your suggestions and we need to keep the collection growing!

Most patrons have updated to the new Cloud Library app with no problems, but iPad or iPhone users that are still on iOS version 8.x.x might be experiencing a bug. Bibliotheca pushed out an update to resolve this issue last week.