Friday's Internet Edition, November 21, 2008.
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| LIBRARIAN LINDA GREEN demonstrates the new computer system, Apollo Biblionix, at Mary Moody Northern Library in Fairfield. The program allows cardholders to access the library catalog from their home computer. |
By visiting http://admin.fairfield.biblionix.com patrons can log into their account using their card and telephone number.
From there, visitors can search the more than 30,000 titles in the library by author, title, subject or keyword.
“This new system provides library users with efficiency and convenience,” says librarian Linda Green.
Search results include cover art, title and author of the book, the book’s location, and whether or not the selection is currently checked out. If the book is available the system shows users how many copies are currently on hand.
Once logged into their account, users may renew items they have recently checked out or reserve a book for pickup.
Visitors can also update their information including address, telephone number and e-mail by selecting the “my account” tab.
According to Mrs. Green keeping account information current could prove helpful to library patrons.
“This new system allows us to e-mail a reminder to cardholders three day before their books are due.”
The Fairfield Library Association has applied for a grant from the Tocker foundation which would fund the service for five years reports Mrs. Green but it will be April before the association learns whether they will receive the grant or not.
Over the next several months the librarians will be working to weed out 5,000 books from the library’s 30,000 title collection to make room for new books in the reference, fiction and children’s sections.
Mrs. Green would also like to remind library visitors of their ongoing book sale and children’s storytime, which has been moved from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.