SYRACUSE, N.Y., August 8, 2013 — As a trusted provider of technology solutions helping academic, private and public libraries serve their communities, Polaris Library Systems today announces a new partnership with Salt Lake County Library Services. The Polaris Library System (PLS) has been selected as the library's new automation system, accounting for 20 branches throughout Salt Lake Valley in Utah.
Salt Lake County Library Services conducted a thorough evaluation process, inviting numerous integrated library system (ILS) software companies to submit proposals for review. The 11 member committee, including subject matter experts, invited finalists to Salt Lake County to provide live demonstrations of their products. After demonstrating the Polaris turnkey ILS over the course of two days, the library and non-library personnel in attendance agreed unanimously that the software would be the best fit for a library system of Salt Lake County's size.
As a high-volume, urban public library, Salt Lake County Library Services chose Polaris for its next generation ILS: from software functionality and integration capabilities, to overall user experience.
"Polaris earned a reputation for being a feature-rich ILS through our responsiveness to our customers. All users can enjoy the latest functionality and customization features when they choose our current software," said Bill Schickling, president and CEO, Polaris Library Systems. "Salt Lake County administered a very professional procurement process and we couldn't be happier in their decision to select Polaris as their new automation system."
As Salt Lake County looks to the future, Polaris is able to provide the discovery tools patrons expect from their online experience and successfully integrate third-party products, such as self-checkout and sorting systems, into their catalog.
"As more and more interactions with library customers occur online and in an increasingly automated fashion, Salt Lake County is working hard to meet expectations and to provide the best, most reliable and user-friendly service at the most affordable price," said Jim Cooper, library director, Salt Lake County Library Services. "Just a few of the benefits the public will enjoy include a more intuitive, customer-driven interface and improved searching capabilities. Behind the scenes our staff will improve workflow and processes providing an improved customer experience for all library users."
In making their final decision, Salt Lake County reached out to current Polaris customers, who provided consistently high marks for their satisfaction with the ILS and company overall. Salt Lake County Library Services will be the newest Polaris customer in the state of Utah, migrating from SirsiDynix.
Salt Lake County Library Services is the largest library system in Utah, operating 20 community libraries throughout Salt Lake Valley. With an annual circulation of 16 million, over 70% of area residents hold a library card and an average of 175 new cards are issued every day. To learn more about the thousands of programs Salt Lake County Library Services offers and the 10,000 community groups who use their public meeting rooms each year, visit www.slcolibrary.org.
About Polaris Library Systems
Polaris Library Systems is a leading library automation software company, earning the highest customer satisfaction ratings by focusing on one goal: helping librarians serve their communities. Established in 2003, Polaris Library Systems provides public, private and academic libraries with an integrated library system that boosts productivity, improves patron satisfaction, and transforms how libraries connect, communicate and collaborate with their communities in the modern world. For more information, visit www.polarislibrary.com.
About Salt Lake County Library Services
Salt Lake County Library Services, the largest library system in Utah, serves a population over 783,000, and will check out over 16 million items this year. With over 4.5 million visitors to its 20 locations, the library provides extensive reference services, events and online resources.