Ardmore Public Library is now using the Library.Solution integrated library system from The Library Corporation (TLC). TLC welcomed Ardmore to its family of libraries last fall, completing the migration services for the single-site library from its previous Polaris system. The library was able to use its Choice Partners membership to select TLC's entirely web-based platform.
As a Choice Partners member, Ardmore Public Library (APL) could choose a new vendor which had been awarded a Choice Partners member contract through best value selection: TLC. This shortened the time needed to evaluate multiple vendors, allowing the library to bring value to its community faster.
Located in Oklahoma, approximately 100 miles due south of Oklahoma City, Ardmore Public Library serves a population of about 25,000 residents. On average, the library circulates 201,000 items per year. TLC will host the library's database of 75,000 titles with TLC.Cloud Services, underpinned by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.
With limited staffing numbers and its IT services performed through the city, the library appreciates TLC's 100% web-based software. "We're a small team," said Lynnette Haggerty, Technical Services Librarian at Ardmore Public Library. "Now, we can manage it all without intervention from IT." Library.Solution can be accessed from any laptop or tablet, eliminating the need for City IT to be on-site for ILS-related inquiries — saving both time and money.
Library.Solution's web-based services will also open up more outreach opportunities in the Ardmore community, such as on-site story hours around the city and library card sign-up events. Cardholders will also benefit from the notifications offered through Library.Solution, including text message notifications, which were unavailable in the library's previous system. "Importance of the telephone notifications can't be understated," said Daniel Gibbs, Director at Ardmore Public Library. "Patrons love that."
Other bright spots in the system include the new public catalog and dedicated kids catalog, as well as family card linking. "We love the built-in Accelerated Reader," said Haggerty. "Before, it was time-consuming to find age-appropriate material for our younger patrons. We had to write it on the inside cover of the books." Now, patrons and staff can find reading program information from within the online catalogs. TLC's enhanced PAC and streamlined cataloging services assist in making items easier and faster to discover.
APL is also eager to utilize Library.Solution mobility in the stacks by performing a live inventory. In their previous system, staff at the library had to create a list, print it, and review the list at the shelves; found items would need to be taken back to a service desk to resolve any issues. With Library.Solution, staff at the library can resolve issues directly in the stacks, running a live inventory from a tablet or laptop. "It takes one person one day — or two days with a part-time employee," said Haggerty.
TLC completed the migration swiftly. "It couldn't have gone much better," praised Gibbs. Additional compliments went to each member of the TLC team: the project manager was able to talk through every item with the library and kept the project on a smooth timeline; the implementation specialist was always available and very kind; the software trainer was solid; customer support was responsive. Haggerty said of both general and specific inquiries, "It feels like I can shoot off a question and get a quick, personable response."
"We are pleased to provide this level of service to Ardmore Public Library and to all of our customers," welcomed Annette Murphy, CEO of The Library Corporation. "There's never a bad word from a new library moving to TLC."
View the library's enriched and cloud-hosted catalog at ardmore.tlcdelivers.com. For more information on streamlined library services with Library.Solution or streamlined purchasing options with Choice Partners, contact sales@tlcdelivers.com.
About The Library Corporation
TLC has operated continuously under the same ownership since 1974 and employs over 200 people dedicated to delivering enterprise software and hardware solutions to public, school, academic, and special libraries worldwide. TLC's cumulative products are deployed in more than 1,100 organizations, representing over 5,500 locations in North America and worldwide. TLC is certified by the U.S. General Services Administration, Women's Business Enterprise National Council, and the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program. TLC's Headquarters is based in Inwood, W.Va., and has additional offices in Colorado, Minnesota, and Singapore.