** Read the New Catalog and Transition FAQ for the most up-to-date info **
As previously posted, Arlington Public Library will soon be upgrading to a new 21st century catalog/account system that will offer library users loads of great features. That transition will occur the week of Feb. 13.
Here’s what you need to know: Throughout the transition the Library will remain open and on its regular schedule, but with some limited services.
Library services AVAILABLE the week of Feb. 13 include:
- Item checkout (with due dates extended to March 1 to ease the data transition)
- Browse the shelves
- Wireless Internet
- Public PCs
- Study/Meeting rooms
Library services UNAVAILABLE the week of Feb. 13:
- Place holds and make telephone requests*
- Renewals
- Catalog searches
- Account access
- Most online research premium sites including Consumer Reports and ValueLine
- Programs for children and teens
- Fine/fee payment
*More About Your Holds
** this section has been updated with new information – 1/20/11**
Based on individual Library branch schedules, we will stop adding new holds to the self-service shelves beginning Saturday, Feb. 5. This cut off will ensure that no item gets “lost” during the system changeover. New holds can still be placed right up until the system goes offline on Feb. 13 at 9 p.m., but won’t be processed and available until the system is up and running (sometime later that week).
The last day new holds will be added by location is:
- Plaza – Friday, Feb. 4
- Aurora Hills, Cherrydale, Glencarlyn, Westover – Saturday, Feb. 5
- Central, Columbia Pike, Shirlington – Sunday, Feb. 6
Because of the catalog transition, holds shelves at all locations will be clear of all remaining items from Feb. 14 through Feb. 20.
** this section has been updated with new information – 2/8/11**
Beginning Feb. 8, any holds listed in patron accounts as “in transit” will not be available until the week of Feb. 20. Thank you for your patience.
**this section has been updated with new information – 2/11/11
Because of a technical issue, telephone notification to pick up holds will not be available for a few weeks–please check your account or call 703-228-5940 for updates.
Let Us Help You
Although staff and volunteers will also lack access to the catalog/accounts system during the mid-February transition, they will be ready to help you as much as possible in person, by telephone and through the Internet during this transition period.
We are really excited about the new catalog system and believe you will be too. Keep checking this blog, Twitter and Facebook for updates.
When it says we can't renew items during the week of February 13, is that just online, or in person as well?
Hello Anonymous–Our catalog/account system will be unavailable both in person and on the Web beginning the evening of Feb. 13. We're making arrangements so materials won't be due during that week of Feb. 13. You'll see this reflected on due dates beginning later this month and in February for shorter-term items like DVDs. Library users will also still be able to check out new materials in person during that week of Feb. 13. Thanks for asking and please keep checking back for updates.
why are we just learning today that there will be no holds? couldn't we have found out earlier that we can't hold anything, instead of finding out the LAST DAY at 10:40pm when the library is obviously closed?
Anonymous,We're really sorry that you only just found out about the hold situation. And thank you for voicing your frustration here – without it, we wouldn't know where we can work to do better. We posted this news on January 10, so the information has been available for almost a month. We've had it as a headline on the Library homepage the whole time, and have linked to it from our facebook page and twitter feed. From the time and date of your comment, would it be correct to guess that you read this after receiving the mass email we sent out on Friday?Traditionally, we've chosen not to send mass emails because we don't want to clutter our readers' inboxes with too much information. In this case, however, we may have been too cautious. We're constantly working to create better communication with our readers. If you would like to opt-in to getting as much of our news as possible, we encourage you to read or subscribe to our News Blog, or follow us on twitter or facebook.
I had placed a couple holds that were "in transition" for the three days prior to when the holds were stopped. Will these books still be placed on the shelf, or will I just have to wait another two weeks for them?
so, what;s going to happen to our holds? I have one "in transit." Will all my holds still exist after the transition? And, per the above note, not all of us look at the library homepage–and this was not/not well publicized in the branches. A simple note at the desk — even a note telling people to look at the homepage- would have been better than relying on the library homepage. I found this out by chance and I'm a regular catalogue user-check my account and the catalogue almost daily.
In a previous post on the new system, you said that details of a new privacy policy would be posted. Now that the rollout is nearly here, it is especially important that this information be made available before you switch over. A printed copy should also be available at all library locations, since not everyone checks your website, as the previous commenter mentions, but their information may still be affected (like names on self-serve holds). People have the right to make informed choices and without information they cannot do so. Thank you!
Hello Anonymous Feb. 8 3:36–The Library privacy policy can be found here:http://library.arlingtonva.us/departments/Libraries/about/LibrariesAboutPoliciesPrivacyPolicy.aspx
I am also frustrated. I was going to the library on Sunday afternoon but decided to check first to see if the books I wanted were in. All but one (out of 5) were indicated as not checked out at one or more libraries so I place an online Hold on them, all to be sent to my neighborhood branch. Today I stopped by the branch to see if any of the books located there were on the shelf. I did notice one was "in transit" & was then told by a staff person that I wouldn't get any of the holds until after 3/1. I agree with the comment above that there was very little communication at the branch about specific upcoming changes. I stop by once or twice a week & never saw a sign about holds. Now that I have driven to 2 branches & Central to get the various books, I'm very frustrated!
@kathryn and anonymouses from Feb.7 and 8 -Holds that are currently listed in your account as "in transit" will not be available until the week of Feb. 20. We know this is frustrating and inconvenient, and we apologize. We're looking forward to getting back to normal service as soon as possible.Unfortunately, we have to shut down all normal procedures this week in preparation for the new system – it isn't just the catalog, it’s an integrated library system, which combines the public catalog search, patron records and accounts, behind-the-scenes operations including everything from purchasing to holds, 8 physical Library locations and our "online branch." Transferring all of this information isn't simple, and it takes quite a bit of time.
so, if no holds are moving, why can't I renew a book that's due this weekend – and am getting an "on hold for another patron" message?
Anonymous,Please call the circulation desk at Central (703-228-5940) during our regular hours, and the staff there can help you figure this out.
No items are due back at the Library from Feb. 13 through Feb. 28. An item due before Feb. 13 can be renewed provided there is not a hold on that item or you have not reached the maximum renewals allowed. If you're not sure of your due dates on items, please check your account in the next few days and definitely before Sunday night, Feb. 13. After Sunday night, account information will not be available while we install our new system.Thanks for your patience.
I have a Hold list of about 15 items. Will that transition over to the new system, keeping all items on Hold in their current queue listing?
Holds requests will all transfer over to the new system. So if you were No. 14 in the queue for a book in the old system, you will be No. 14 in the queue for that book when the new system begins running.
In order to streamline the conversation, we've moved comments/question on the new catalog system and transition to the Library Catalog Transition FAQ.