Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Shellbrook Library Upgrading to New Provincial System

With the Shellbrook Library joining the provincial Saskatchewan Information and Services Consortium, not only is the collection of items available increasing, but there are number of changes in the works, including new library cards, registration process, and online catalogue. To learn more, drop in for our open house on Thursday June 10th from 2 :00 pm to 6:30 pm. As well as the librarian, board members will be on hand for questions and concerns and to offer you beverages and cookies.

The Shellbrook Library will be closed on Monday June 7th for the upgrade to the Saskatchewan Information and Library System (SILS). Once SILS is in place, borrower cards must be presented to the Library when borrowing items. If a patron does not have their library borrower's card, they will not be able to sign out material. The new library cards have a unique feature though as attached to the new sturdy card is a separate key fob that also has your new borrower's code. Both the card and the key fob can be used to borrow items. So, while you may not remember all the time to bring your library card to the Library, attach the key fob to your key ring or backpack and you'll always be able to sign out items.

Whether you currently have a Wapiti library card or not, the library now requires two pieces of identification to obtain a borrower's card. One piece of identification must show your current address as proof of residency. Acceptable identification includes: driver's license, Treaty card, student card, utility bill or other government correspondence that shows current address, personal cheques, cancelled personal mail, or passport.

For children under 14 years who wish to have a library card, the Library requires a guardian to be present. The guardian will need two pieces of acceptable identification and will need to give their signature. The new children cards will have safe guards. For example, a child's card will be blocked from borrowing a movie with an adult rating.

The SILS online catalogue has many new and useful features. Frequently mistype an author's name? Now the catalogue will offer suggestions. When displayed, items will not only have a picture of the cover but an icon identifying it as a book, large print book, audio book on CD, book on cassette, DVD or VHS. It will also show where the book is physically located. If you're placing a hold on an item, it will show how many people are on the hold list and give you an idea about how long you may have to wait for it to come to your library. The new interactive catalogue offers book reviews, the opportunity to write your own review, or to rate a book.

If you pick up your new library card in June, you can also browse the treasures in our Annual Summer Book Sale. Perhaps there is a find here for a dad or a gardener? There are a variety of gently used adult fiction and non-fiction, young adult, juvenile and children’s books. There are also magazines, puzzles, video cassettes, and computer peripherals. The price is totally reasonable -- a good will donation to the Library.

With the change in the computer system, the librarian and board members ask that you bear with us as we learn our new computer system.

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