Johnsburg library increases online features

From the Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Johnsburg library increases online features
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – Need one more day with that library book? No problem.

Johnsburg Public Library patrons can now renew library materials from home, as well as place items they would like to pick up on hold, thanks to a new software program at the library.

"Once they log in, the system knows who they are and they just punch a button," said Maria Zawacki, library director.

The new online-based system, Follett Destiny, is a first for the library. It was implemented last month and is more user-friendly and picturesque than the system that has been used for the past 10 years.

"It just looks better," Zawacki said. "Our old system functioned but it was very old-fashioned."

With the old system, library patrons could only log on and see what items were checked out and if there were any fines. If they put an item on hold, Zawacki would receive an e-mail and have to denote the item was on hold.

Now, patrons can renew their materials online, put items on hold without requiring librarians to hand place the item on hold, perform searches that yield pictures of the books along with the book titles, and receive an e-mail notification before books are due.

The new software cost $3,000 to implement, and carries an annual license fee of $800, Zawacki said.

The only snag so far is that the e-mail notification system, which sends patrons an e-mail three days before their materials are due, isn't working. But Zawacki said it'll be fixed within the week.

So far, more than 100 library users have signed up for the new system, and Zawacki said about six patrons sign up every day. She said it's been so popular because it has an Amazon.com-type of feel to it and also is the same system used in neighboring schools.

"The kids are used to how it looks and how it functions," Zawacki said. "I think people are just used to being able to do this kind of thing."

To check out Johnsburg Public Library's new online program, Follett Destiny, go to johnsburglibrary.org.