May 22, 2012

Westerville Public Library (OH) Live on Sierra Services Platform

Delivers Roles-Based Workflow Functionality for Improved Operational Efficiencies

Emeryville, CA—Innovative announced today that Westerville Public Library (OH) is live on the Sierra Services Platform. A next-generation services platform, Sierra is built on an open-systems architecture that provides libraries with access to their circulation, technical services, and patron data though an open relational database and a suite of documented application interface extensions. Unlike other systems, Sierra offers out-of-the-box, fully featured library workflows and integrated resource management delivering the functionality and performance that libraries trust to run their operations.

"With Sierra, we have the best of a commercial library system and the flexibility of an open source application at the same time," says Webmaster Victor Zuniga. "Open systems are quite valuable at a time when library IT staff want to extend the capabilities of the system on their own. With the Sierra Dashboard and Administration application, we also have a new interface for staff functions that is more unified and elegant to use."

As an administrator of Sierra, Zuniga reports that he is using the new Workflows feature to set up functions tailored to the needs of department managers and staff. With Sierra, library staff members have exactly the functions they need upon login on the single Sierra dashboard. Says Zuniga: "The process of going live with Sierra has given interesting insight into how our staff wants to use the system. We are able to filter and narrow just the right functionality for each role in terms of their job description."

Zuniga has been an active participant in the Innovative Users Group and has served as Clearinghouse Director from 2010-2012. "A main theme at this year's IUG Conference was library data, and what those of us who are using or considering Sierra are going to do with them," he says. "As we move forward and grow our services, we know this will be important."

History of Collaboration

The implementation of Sierra is another milestone in the long and productive partnership between Westerville Public Library and Innovative through the years. In addition to acting as a development partner for Sierra, the Library was among the first group of development partners for Encore in 2006.

About Westerville Public Library

For over 75 years, the Westerville Public Library has represented the belief that the best service is a reflection of its customers' wishes. The Library is an important part of the past, an integral part of the present and an essential part of Westerville's future. It provides materials, programs, and services to residents of all ages in Franklin and Delaware Counties to assist in their pursuit of information and resources to meet their educational, professional, and personal needs. Particular emphasis is placed on delivering quality reference services and providing popular materials of high interest to the Westerville School District. The Library also serves to stimulate young children's interest and appreciation for reading and learning.