• Library usage increased during the pandemic. The frequency of library usage went up in 2021 and 32% of adults say they have used or visited the library at least once a month during the year, compared to 27% reporting the same in 2020.
• Libraries can attract new users by promoting digital content downloads. 63% of non-patrons said that offering e-books or audiobooks would make them more likely to use a library. Most libraries already do! This suggests that libraries could reach non-patrons by advertising services they already offer.
• Library users want personalized services like those offered by online platforms. 59% of library users would like their library to provide personalized lists of books to read. 66% would like their public library to send them personalized lists of resources, events, and services that might interest them.

We are pleased to announce the launch of Polaris 7.3! This release introduces new INN-Reach visiting patron functionality, additional technical services in Leap, and the launch of several highly requested customer enhancements. Enhancements include:

Visiting patron functionality with Polaris:
When enabled, this feature allows patrons who have access to library resources as part of an INN-Reach system to borrow materials directly from the circulation desk at a partner library, instead of creating an INN-Reach request.

Manual acquisitions and additional cataloging functions in Leap:
For technical services in Leap, this release introduces workflows to support manual acquisitions processing (i.e., with non-automated vendors) and expands functionality for managing MARC records. In acquisitions, users with permission can now manually create purchase orders, line items, and segments.

Customer enhancements:
In Polaris 7.3, it is now possible to enable cancellation of hold requests in a held status (for patrons and staff). This development adds a new view to the picklist so staff can easily identify items to pull from the hold shelf when the hold request is cancelled.

Visit our site to read the full announcement. We also invite you to register for this upcoming webinar to learn what’s new in Polaris 7.3.

Lastly, we are currently running a brand-new Polaris Idea Lab challenge. Submissions close October 2nd.

The Complete Vega LX Platform at a Glance

• Discover — A user-friendly discovery experience, rolling all formats into a single display
• Promote — Send targeted communications to marketing contacts and segments
• Program — Create, approve, and manage library events and room bookings

• Interact — Provides two-way communication with patrons via chatbot or digital assistants
• Analyze — Uses key data to quantify your library’s value and ROI

“As a consortium of libraries, we always want to engage better with our patrons and more easily share the wide array of content available across our systems. Vega Discover appealed to us because it will improve both the patron and staff experience for finding and sorting materials. We are especially interested in the smart showcases, which offer lots of opportunities for personalized displays for both individual patrons and larger community groups.”

- Robert Drake, Assistant Director, Technology Operations at Nassau Library System