It has finally happened! The Cooperative Information Network (CIN), the bigger network that the Community Library Network is a part of, just got a new catalog, which means we have a new catalog :)
The system is called Koha, and it is taken care of by ByWater Solutions. But, that isn't what you are interested in. You would probably like to know how it is different. "Koha is the first free and open source software library automation package
(ILS). Development is sponsored by libraries of varying types and sizes,
volunteers, and support companies from around the world."
What does that mean for you? It means you have more control of your catalog experience. Koha allows you to create lists of books you want to check out, put holds on, or just keep track of. It allows you to create RSS feeds on new books, and also to keep a reading history of what you have read. You can create a private list of things you want to read, or make the list public so others can see your suggestions.
Another cool feature is you can limit your searches to items that are available right now. That means you don't have to click on each individual record to see if you can actually go grab it on the shelf.
There are plenty of other awesome things, but there is one more I want to point out. With our previous catalog, you had to select a specific copy of a book to put a hold on it. Now, you can place a "Next Available Copy" hold, and no matter where it is in the network, the next available copy will be heading your way.
Even though change is always hard, and there are definitely some things I'm getting used to, I'm excited about this new system, and how it will be used in the future!
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