ILS improvements take center stage at TLC users conference

Product enhancements announced at The Library Corporation’s annual users conference are opening up new cataloging and workflow possibilities for libraries using TLC’s Library•Solution and CARL•X automation systems.

TLCU 2015, held Oct. 18-21 at the historic Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, S.C., drew TLC customers from as far away as New Zealand for four days of information sessions, one-on-one training, idea exchanges, and networking. The most popular presentations centered around cataloging updates, ongoing CARL•X and CARL•Connect enhancements, and the latest upgrade to Library•Solution and its suite of Web-based modules.

TLC Inwood product owners Jamison Reynolds and Heather Powers guided attendees through a road map of current and future changes to cataloging functionality in Library•Solution, which focus on moving beyond the outdated and limited MARC record system. “The positive response from those who saw it was overwhelming,” Reynolds said. “Librarians, media specialists, and administrators alike acknowledge that it’s time that we as a library industry move beyond MARC, and it’s exciting that TLC is going to lead the way.”

During the CARL•X and CARL•Connect product sessions, TLC Denver Product Strategist Lorrie Ann Butler challenged conference attendees to think differently when incubating and delivering library services to their communities. “This is the same challenge I present to TLC librarians responsible for product development. I ask them to re-imagine the user experience and the technologies that are required to meet those needs.” TLC’s Denver team also offered progress reports on the strategic visions that were shared at last year’s conference, among the most popular being CARL’s development focus on mobile services and strategies to offer users a full experience when accessing their library on a mobile device. This includes options for integration with Facebook and Twitter, providing libraries the opportunity to meet users in their social space, and location services sharing hours, addresses, phone numbers, and Google Maps integration. TLC is also continuing its focus on development of Web-scale clients for all CARL•Connect staff applications, and announced a new ILS feature, CARL•Connect Reports Concierge, that transforms the way metrics-driven libraries gather and analyze data.

Release 40 for Library•Solution is a major ILS upgrade that is generating very positive feedback from customers. Among the enhancements is LS2 Staff, Library•Solution’s Web-based circulation interface, simplifying and optimizing the management of borrower holds. These changes range from an improved user-friendly interface to faster response times and greater control of the library side of the holds process. Also included in Release 40 is World Book integration within LS2 PAC, MARC merge functionality in Backroom, and a new ILS launch page. “It is obvious to those of us who use the software how much planning and work went into making this progress,” said Vicki Niehaus, head of Technical Services at Oldham County Public Library in Kentucky. “There is always too much work to do, especially at the public desks. We truly appreciate having a tool to help us work smarter, not harder.”

CARL releases offered in 2015 allow libraries to offer new patron-driven services. For example, Monroe County Library System automatically renews expired library cards for patrons in good standing, and Broward County Library System offers patron opt-in to e-mail receipts, SMS text messaging, and other personalized services from the automation system’s LS2 PAC module.

Planning is already underway for TLCU 2016, scheduled for Oct. 16-19 in Tempe, Ariz.