Content Management, the Catalog, and the Library or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love our OPAC

Pierce County Library System Founded in 1945 Population of service area: 509,000 Registered borrowers: 198,000 service area: 1600 square miles Library materials: 1,325,860

Background PCLS began using Polaris in May of 2004 Implementation without adequate training led to frustration for both staff and patrons

The Response Polaris Search Screen Committee formed 58 patrons interviewed Patron focus group formed Most frustration found to involve search functions in the catalog Recognition that customization of current catalog could remedy some of the frustration

The First Step The original Quick Search

The First Step Quick Search was confusing to patrons Patrons wanted a simply-worded set of search options with only the most common options presented

The First Step The new, improved Quick Search

The First Step Simple, clean and to the point Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive

Content Management and the Library’s Public Website PCLS undertook a renewed effort to market itself to the community Bids were requested for the development of a new site and a content management system to help manage it Sitecrafting was chosen to provide us with this package

Content Management and the Library’s Public Website The new Content Management System (CMS) is module based. Some of these modules are: Custom Blog module RSS feeds module Events Calendar module Rotating Home Page Ad module News and News Release module File Library module Book Lists module Branches module

Content Management and the Library’s Public Website The CMS is based on Visual Basic.NET with a SQL backend The CMS puts the ability and responsibility for producing and managing content into the hands of the content producers

What does the new Web site look like?

Online Event Calendar Find events at PCLS, by event type and by branch

Branches Hours Phone Numbers Driving Directions

Reading and Books Over 90 Booklists Book Selection Tools Book Discussions Online Book Clubs

Kids Get a Library Card Kids Program Calendar Booklists by Grade Level and Topic Local Authors for Kids

Teens Library Clubs Calendar Research Tips Local History

Outreach Adult Care Facilities Delivery Homebound Delivery Bookmobiles Language Communities

Evolution of the PCLS OPAC Customization beyond “The Buttons”

Evolution of the PCLS OPAC

The beta test period was a good time to make major customizations Beta testing, while challenging, has allowed us to develop strong ties with Polaris Library Systems and given us the opportunity to influence the product itself

Customization The PowerPAC has many elements designed specifically to facilitate customization

Customization Custom Themes Panels Web Parts The language files SA settings

The Results What were the results of our customization efforts?

Where do we go from here? Integration of RSS feeds produced by Polaris 3.3 into the public Web site pages Production of the Catalog Home page content directly from our Content Management System Much more…

Thank you! Pierce County Library Web Site: My Address: