Community Corner

Big Changes to Library System

This weekend, the online system will not be available this weekend during the library system changes.

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The Shrewsbury Public Library will be joining other area libraries this Memorial Day weekend in switching to a new online catalog and transactions system. All libraries in the CWMARS network will be moving to this new system called Evergreen. This open-source library system was developed in Georgia in 2006, and has been adopted by libraries and library systems throughout the world.

C/W MARS is making this change to take advantage of the cost and service benefits of this non-proprietary, open source system. Use of an open source system will make it easier to implement changes and improvements to the system, and will allow the network to better control costs. In the long term, it will provide C/W MARS the opportunity to design an information system that will fit the needs of our users, rather than fitting within the limits of privately licensed software.

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Library patrons will find many improvements in the new Evergreen system. The online catalog and patron tools in Evergreen are more user friendly and provide more functionality. A set of tabs called “the dashboard” will guide patrons to options like Account Summary, Items Checked Out, Holds, Account Preferences, and Lists. Now patrons will be able to seamlessly search both the Western and Central regions in one single search. They will be able to create lists of favorite books to share with other readers.  

The actual migration to the new system will begin at 6 pm on Friday May 25, with the goal of bringing the new system up on Tuesday morning, May 29. The library will close at 5 p.m. on Friday May 25 and reopen on Tuesday May 29 at 10 a.m.

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Much of the library’s online functionality will be unavailable during the switchover.

This weekend, patrons will not be able to access their accounts, place holds, renew items, book museum passes or use some of the library’s online tools.

Patron created Wish Lists and Reading Histories will not be transferred to the new system. If patrons wish to keep these records they should save this information elsewhere prior to May 25. When the system is restored on Tuesday May 29, patrons will need to use a new PIN or password to access their patron account. These will automatically be reset to the person’s last name, in all capital letters. To make the transition easier for all, there will be a fine amnesty in place from Memorial Day through June 30.

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