Middle Country Public Library

Long Island, New York

Developing a Solution for Better Service

Joyce Bogin, Head of Computer and Technical Services at Middle Country, understands the difficulties involved with handling program registration at a large public library. Serving a population of about 55,000, the library runs 400 programs annually with multiple sections for most programs. With this kind of active user base, efficient service is a must.

Bogin approached Innovative’s Chairman and CEO Jerry Kline at a meeting of the Innovative Users Group (IUG) and talked about the need for automating programs at libraries like hers. Kline was enthusiastic and made a visit to the library to brainstorm about the possibilities for adapting the Innovative system for program registration. “We were thrilled by Jerry’s interest and personal visit,” says Bogin. Soon after, Middle Country Public Library became a development partner for the new Program Registration module.

“Innovative has come through for us over and over again, even when we ask to chart new territories!”

—Sandy Feinberg, Director, Middle Country Public Library

With the new solution, patrons can sign up for programs through Millennium and track their participation in the My Millennium personalization suite. In addition, patrons can see if they are in good standing as part of the in-branch registration process and even get an email reminder. “These reminders are excellent in case certain sections do not get filled up or the library has to close due to weather,” says Bogin.

Not content with a half-solution, Innovative developed Program Registration as an integrated Millennium module to maximize the impact for staff and patrons. As Bogin says: “We think the decision to implement this as part of the new Millennium platform was the right one. Since the Program Registration module is completely integrated with Millennium the screens are easy to use, full of features, and accessible to the patrons and staff in multiple places in the system. Now information about patron registration is instantly updated when it is entered.”

The development of Program Registration is just another example of how Innovative listens to its customers, and works as their long-term partner to meet the needs of expanding service and making it more efficient than ever before.