Edmonds Library Unveils Enhanced Online Catalog System

Digital technology has certainly had an impact on things we used to take for granted. Been to a record store lately? And alas, once-mighty Borders Books and Music just shuttered its Lynnwood location. If physical books are in danger—and the rise of e-readers is gaining each day—what does that mean for libraries?

If you haven’t been to the lately, you may be surprised to discover it’s not just a repository for books. And if you haven’t checked out, pun intended, the library’s website in a while, you certainly haven’t discovered how it not only has met the challenge of the digital world, but taken advantage of it.

The centerpiece of Edmonds’ new library is Polaris Integrated Library System, an online library catalog that debuted March 31 locally and at the other 20 libraries that make up Sno-Isle Libraries, which serves more than 660,000 residents in Snohomish and Island counties. The “catalog system” description comes from Sno-Isle, but it doesn’t seem to do Polaris justice.

“It took us a lot of work to get to Polaris,” said Lesly Kaplan, managing librarian for Edmonds Library. Polaris replaces TLC CARL, a catalog system in use for 20 years. “We needed something more functional for today’s needs. It’s a very big transition, and there was a lot of research to see what was out there.”

Edmonds taxpayers helped secure Polaris when in November 2009 they passed, with a 52 percent yes vote, a levy in part to upgrade Sno-Isle Libraries’ catalog system.

Sno-Isle boasts that Polaris marks a huge leap forward in the online library experience, and the only way to get a feel for what it’s about is to log on. Those who already have a library card will find it’s simple to switch over–all you have to do is enter your username or barcode number, and your password.

With Polaris, you can get better search results when searching for books and other library items; once you’ve read a book, you can express your opinions in a review. But there are many other ways to take advantage of Polaris, and it’s all free. Paid for by your property taxes, of course.

Here are some selected highlights:

Catalog: Similar to the old system, you can seach for the title you want at any of Sno-Isle’s 21 branches. But now you can place holds and create a saved list of your books and preferences. You can also change your contact information immediately. In addition, parents and their younger children can toggle over to a special catalog just for kids.  

Books, Movies, Music: This section lets you discover what the library and other patrons are reading and what they recommend. You can download e-books here for many of today’s popular reading devices, although not for Amazon’s Kindle.

Ask a Librarian: This feature lets students and anyone else ask questions or email 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also find online homework and tutoring help, in addition to a writing lab. “This is a great feature for students,” Kaplan said.

Databases and Research: Created with students in mind, this feature is one that Kaplan is especially excited about. “You’re not going to find many of these features online for free,” she said. Here you can dig into genealogy, health-care issues, conduct research for homework, get GED prep help, learn a new language, search for a job and much more. One research element that will appeal to many people is the ability to search the archives of The New York Times, especially now that the newspaper has put a limit on how many articles web surfers can access per month.

Also of note in this section is access to Value Line and Morningstar Investment, key sites for investors that are usually available only through paid subscription. “All of the sites we have are authoritative,” said Kaplan. “Smart consumers will access these to see the results of professional study.”

At the Edmonds Library website, like everything else, access is free. “It’s your tax dollars at work,” said Kaplan.

A hands-on class explaining Polaris will be held 2 p.m. April 26 at Edmonds Library, 650 Main St., and 2 p.m. May 9 at , 220 Railroad Ave.