Customer Stories
Polaris helps the Finger Lakes Library System upgrade their resources.
After comparing automation vendors and ILS systems, the Finger Lakes Library System chose Polaris for a number of reasons. For starters, Polaris ILS maintenance fees are kept as low as possible. The library also appreciated the fact that Polaris subsystems, such as Acquisitions, come standard with the purchase of an ILS, eliminating additional charges down the road. Also, with a Polaris ILS Client License, the library is able to utilize SIP 2 integration for PC and print management at no extra cost. Other cost- and time-saving capabilities include powerful circulation and patron account management tools that can assist in the fee collection process; a unique Find Tool, which provides a single point of access to everything in your system; SiteScan, the powerful diagnostic software that reduces downtime and repair costs; and many other features. According to Network Services Manager Rex Helwig, "A trustee at one of our libraries referred to the wealth of options as 'maximal featuring,' a term we think describes what we're getting with Polaris."
Polaris ILS gives Rochester Hills Public Library an efficiency upgrade.
When Library Director Christine Lind Hage began her search for an automation system, she had two main criteria: an ILS vendor with a stable product, as well as a true commitment to customer service. During the evaluation process, Rochester Hills staff had full access to the Polaris ILS and Customer Extranet. This opportunity to "test drive" the system gave them a real feel for the power and resources that would be at their command. "Once they saw how the system worked and experienced the type of support they would receive, they knew Polaris ILS was the right choice," explains Hage. Hage was also determined to provide a more positive experience for patrons searching the library catalog. "Our community has not been satisfied with the previous library catalog. Delivering a tool they can use easily and intuitively and that provides the type of displays they expect was one of our primary goals in selecting a Polaris system."
Polaris puts Pierce County Library System in the express lane.
Pierce County Library System (PCL) conducted extensive research when looking into self-check systems for the remodeling of their Peninsula Pierce County Library. "We learned that self-check stations need to be part of an overall philosophy of change - we wanted it to be obvious that it was faster and easier," said Lynne Zeiher. Pierce County evaluated the branch and redesigned it. The addition of Polaris ExpressCheck opened the door to a number of service enhancements, including the Books Plus to Go program and related merchandising projects. Within the first week, ExpressCheck units were handling over 80% of the branch's circulation and a survey showed that ExpressCheck had an 88% approval rating with patrons. Today, additional remodeled branches average nearly 70% of circulation through the ExpressCheck stations."
Polaris assists Fayetteville Public Library with much-needed makeover.
Single-handedly guiding the Fayetteville Public Library from its rundown state in 1997 to winning the Gale/Library Journal 2005 Library of the Year award was no small feat for Executive Director Louise Schaper. "I realized that if we act like a great library we'll become one - and the community began to experience it was possible," Schaper recalls. "We were in need of an ILS and selected Polaris. They met our needs and our budget and got high marks for customer service." Schaper also partnered with Polaris to get the most from the ILS, including having self-check capabilities built into the system. Today the library boasts Wi-Fi throughout its new building, as well as a host of advanced patron and staff tools that were unthinkable just a few short years ago. As a result, the Fayetteville Public Library opened a new 88,000 square foot facility - designed, funded and built with full community participation.
Polaris ILS accommodates Arizona Library District's existing products.
When the fast-growing Maricopa County Library District chose Polaris ILS over other automation vendors to support their phenomenal growth, it wasn't a surprise. That's because they can seamlessly integrate their existing products and services into our ILS. "To meet the needs of our rapidly growing community, we need our technology to help us work smarter," explains Harry Courtright on his decision to go with Polaris. Polaris has allowed the library to enhance their acquisitions productivity by implementing Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) with Brodart's Bibz.com and other vendors that use EDI. The Maricopa staff has also been able to integrate 3M's Patron Access Management System, as well as Syndetic Solutions and many others.