March 20, 2012  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CONTACT:   Ann Miller, 707-784-1506; amiller@solanocounty.com 

SOLANO COUNTY LIBRARY CATALOG GETS A FACELIFT 

Introducing the new visual catalog 

SOLANO COUNTY, CA – The Solano County Library has recently upgraded their online catalog and automation system as a means to better serve the community's increasing demand for cutting-edge technologies and services.   

The recent transition has been a smooth one for library customers and staff as noted by the library’s deputy director, Lynne Williams, "We have experienced the smoothest and most trouble-free migration in our history.”  

The introduction of the library’s new visual catalog provides customers with an updated graphic interface and the addition of numerous customizable features. Customers now have the ability to interact with other library users online, and contribute to their overall library experience through catalog features that enable reviewing and rating titles, creating and sharing lists, and tagging library materials online. Additionally, the visual catalog allows searches to be saved in both list and grid views, and enables library customers to browse for materials by genre. Customer searches also have the potential to retrieve more than just library materials through the visual catalog’s inclusion of up-to-the-minute news reports from regional newspapers, CNN, and Reuters, which are connected to searches about current events.  

For library customers on the go, the new catalog is now mobile on iPhone and Android smart phones, enabling users to search for library materials and check their account status from anywhere at any time.  Customers tired of having to enter their entire library card numbers to access their account online now have the option of an easier alternative, thanks to the addition of a user generated login and password feature.  Solano County Library has also decided to maintain the look and features of the previous catalog, now known as the “classic catalog” to accommodate users during the transition.  

New changes to the catalog aren’t just available for adults.  A simple and intuitive graphic interface has been designed for young library users as well, taking careful consideration of children just begging to read.  The first thing kids will notice upon entering the new children’s catalog is the animated puppy mascot “Scout”.  All catalog features revolve around Scout, including a color wheel that arranges library materials graphically by popular and easily identifiable categories, such as “dinosaurs” and “numbers.”  Also graphically on display is an easily located series bar, displaying the most popular titles for young library users. Children can determine if library materials are available graphically through the depiction of a green circle, and if an item is checked out through the representation of a red square.   

For more information on the expanded and personalized services offered by the new automation system and visual catalog, please contact Ann Miller at (707) 784 – 1506.