Leverage

One dictionary definition of “leverage” is to use something to maximum advantage.  Somerset County Library System (SCLS) recently added tow software enhancements that leverage its investment in equipment and databases – making each stretch further for less.

With Windows XP’s imminent obsolescence, the Library’s choice was to either replace 150 computers or switch to an operating system that would work with the PCs it already has.  SCLS selected Open Sense Solutions and its Groovix desktop, based on Linux, to bridge the gap.  Before Groovix, customers frequently complained of slow machines that required frequent patches and updates.  They now have computers that run swiftly and trouble-free.  Moreover, every PC offers access to the entire Web as well as a suite of productivity software fully compatible with Microsoft® Office.  The staff love the fact that the PCs update and turn themselves on and off automatically.  When demand for PCs is especially heavy at a branch, the system can also take reservations and manage users’ time.

A second example of using something to maximum advantage is with the many licensed databases SCLS offers that index and provide full-text articles from newspapers, journals and magazines.  Despite their being the best sources for recent information, databases often go unused by customers who do not know about them or how to use them.

The Library recently added EDS, an overlay to its online catalog that automatically searches these databases at the same time a user is looking for books.

So, someone looking for information about Afghanistan would see the books that SCLS owns as well as articles from newspapers, journals and magazines, most of which can be read online, printed out or emailed to the user.  The service is available both in library branches and at home.

“We’re seeing a 75% increase in the use of those databases since we started the service,” said Brian Auger SCLS Director.

With “scope” features similar to those in Amazon and other web retailers (allowing one to select or unselect formats, dates and the like) the service is easy to use and is set as the “default” when using the catalog.

Questions?  Call SCLS at (908) 526-4016 ext. 188 or visit the websites at http://somerset.lib.nj.us/newsearch.html for Ebsco or http://sclsnj.org.  The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.