View Project

G2S Project Code: 2014-PA-73031
State: Pennsylvania
Fiscal Year: 2014

Grantee
BEAVER CO LIBRARY SYSTEM

Project Director
Director Name: Jodi Oliver
Director Phone: 724-378-6227
Director Email: joliver@beaverlibraries.org

General Information
Title: ILS Upgrade
State Project Code: 4100069314
Start Date: 01/15/2015
End Date: 08/31/2015
Abstract:

Beaver County Library System (BCLS) facilitates access to a shared Integrated Library System (ILS) that responds to the needs of our libraries and the public. BCLS has upgraded its ILS software platform from Millennium to Sierra with its current ILS vendor, Innovative Interfaces (III).

To prepare for the migration, member library staff weeded and took inventory of their collections. BCLS staff cleaned up the Millennium database by deleting withdrawn materials, duplicate records, fixing incorrect records to improve the integrity of the catalog, and subsequently improving staff and patron's search results.

Upgrading to the Sierra platform was an easy transition for library staff as Sierra is very similar to Millennium and minimal training has been needed since. There was no disruption to staff or patrons. Since using the Sierra system, staff have commented that the system is easy to use and they like the functionality. Fliers were posted at each library site alerting patrons of the transition to Sierra and asking their patience as staff adjusted; included on the flier was the fact that the LSTA grant made this all possible.

In addition to an established email notification process, BCLS purchased the Teleforms system which notifies patrons by telephone that materials they ordered are ready for pickup and notifies them of any overdue items. The Teleforms system will save staff time, reduce costs associated with sending out print notices, and improve the overall patron experience.

State Goal: Create opportunities for libraries to enhance their capacity to provide 21st Century resources, services and programs to their communities.

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$56,646.92

$0.00

$47,775.00

$104,421.92

Intent(s)
Improve library operations.
Collection Development & Management

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Training on ILS upgrade
Narrative:

BCLS staff scheduled training sessions for staff from all system member libraries and associate library. BCLS provided seven training sessions; 65 staff members from across the system attended.

Intent: Improve library operations.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: In-person

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 122
Number of presentations/performances administered: 7
Average number in attendance per session: 10

Partner Information

Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No

Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: B F JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 663 FRANKLIN AVE
City: ALIQUIPPA
State: PA
Zip: 15001
Name: BADEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 385 STATE ST
City: BADEN
State: PA
Zip: 15005
Name: BEAVER AREA MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Address: 100 COLLEGE AVE
City: BEAVER
State: PA
Zip: 15009
Name: CARNEGIE FREE LIBRARY - BEAVER FALLS
Address: 1301 7TH AVE
City: BEAVER FALLS
State: PA
Zip: 15010
Name: CARNEGIE FREE LIBRARY-MIDLAND
Address: 61 NINTH ST
City: MIDLAND
State: PA
Zip: 15059
Name: Community College of Beaver County
Address: 1 Campus Drive
City: Monaca
State: PA
Zip: 15061-2588
Name: LAUGHLIN MEMORIAL FREE LIBRARY
Address: 99 ELEVENTH ST
City: AMBRIDGE
State: PA
Zip: 15003
Name: MONACA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 609 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
City: MONACA
State: PA
Zip: 15061
Name: NEW BRIGHTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 1021 3RD AVE
City: NEW BRIGHTON
State: PA
Zip: 15066
Name: ROCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 252 ADAMS ST
City: ROCHESTER
State: PA
Zip: 15074

Activity Details
Title: ILS upgrade - procurement
Narrative:

The County's IT department provided and built two virtual servers: Sierra application and database servers. BCLS and the Beaver County's IT staff worked together to configure both servers according to the vendor's specifications. Once the Sierra application server was ready, the Millennium database was migrated onto the Millennium/Sierra App server.

Intent: Improve library operations.

Activity: Procurement
Mode:
Format:

Quantity
Number of acquired hardware items used: 2

Partner Information

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
Upgrading to the Sierra platform was an easy transition for library staff as Sierra is very similar to Millennium and minimal training has been needed since. There was no disruption to staff or patrons. Since using the Sierra system, staff have commented that the system is easy to use and they like the functionality. The Teleforms system will save staff time, reduce costs associated with sending out print notices, and improve the overall patron experience.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
Functionality and ease of use which saves staff time is critical as staff must handle many different tasks at the same time.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Review of Administrative Data
Participant Observation
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:
Patrons were understanding of library staff while they were learning the system. Staff learned how to navigate the new system
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
No
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
Yes: BCLS wants to explore discovery layer to the online catalog.
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
No

Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative

Project Tags: Integrated Library System