October 12, 2017 -- Emeryville, CA. Innovative Interfaces, a leading provider of library automation software that empowers libraries globally, has launched Polaris Release 5.6 with system-wide support for Unicode characters, integration of items from Vital in the PowerPAC discovery solution, and additional functionality in the Polaris Web Application. Polaris is an integrated library system solution to manage physical and digital resources, library operational workflows, and patron accounts.
In Polaris Release 5.6, the system has been updated to support the Unicode Standard. Library partners serving communities with multiple languages will now see Unicode characters in patron data and the patron record. For example, if a patron who has checked out multiple items with Japanese titles visits the library for help renewing the items, Services and Reference staff will be able to see the full titles of the items in the patron record. This standardization will save time for staff and help improve patron services.
"Our library serves a very diverse community and has a large population of multilingual customers," said Haley Liu, Technology Support Specialist – Systems at Vaughan Public Library in Ontario, Canada. "It's essential that our ILS supports Unicode so our multilingual collections can display correctly in their language. Thanks to the Polaris team for the release of Polaris 5.6 with its new feature of supporting Unicode so our library can continue delivering programs and services which respond to the diverse needs and interests of our community."
Digital Asset Management Integration with Polaris
Building on the newly responsive PowerPAC discovery solution, Polaris Release 5.6 enables integration with Innovative's digital asset management solution, Vital. Content from Vital will now display in the PowerPAC as patrons search for items. Patrons will see items from the digital collection specified in their search results and they can filter results to include or exclude digital content.
Polaris Peer-to-Peer Resource Sharing
In addition to Polaris-to-INN-Reach Resource Sharing, Polaris now offers Peer-to-Peer (P2P) shared circulation for library partners participating in two Innovative Resource Sharing networks. This gives patrons access to millions of titles by enabling them to search and check out items from both shared catalogs.
Polaris Web Application
In Polaris Release 5.6, enhancements to the Polaris Web Application include expanding the cataloging capabilities to match the Staff Client. New features in the Polaris Web Application include:
- Item Record Sets. Add content from a file to item record sets, including content from Excel, CSV, or text files. Library partners using various scanning tools can now import data directly from the tool to the Polaris Web Application.
- Patron Record Sets. Create and delete patron record sets, update content, and add record sets from a file, including Excel, CSV, or text files.
- Interlibrary Loan Actions. Receive, cancel, return, delete, export, and convert interlibrary loan items and requests in the same way as the Staff Client.
"Polaris is a robust solution that provides significant advancements for our library partners with every release," said Chris Fields, Innovative Chief Technology Officer. "Implementing the Unicode Standard will enable libraries to better serve their patrons and the communities where they operate."
The launch of Polaris Release 5.6 marks the second release for Polaris in 2017. For detailed release notes, library partners can review the Polaris Release 5.6 announcement in the Innovative Supportal.
About Innovative
Innovative provides leading technology solutions and services that empower libraries and enrich their users worldwide. Innovative offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios of library automation products on the market today, serving academic, public, national, corporate, and special libraries, and consortia. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, Innovative has a global presence—serving thousands of libraries in 66 countries and offices worldwide.