LIBRARY UNVEILS NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH NEW ONLINE CATALOG
Expect Temporary Service Interruption during March & April

Norfolk, VA (March 3, 2006) – This Spring Norfolk Public Library welcomes a new addition as it unveils a new integrated computer system with an enhanced online catalog. After years of planning, the Library enters the final stages of implementing the new system on March 19 and will have its new online catalog functioning by April 19. To ensure a smooth migration, library patrons will experience temporary service interruptions:

Interlibrary Loan will be unavailable from March 10 to April 19.

New requests to reserve materials, or for materials to be sent from one branch to another will not be accepted from March 19 to April 19. During this time, staff will continue to pull items from the shelf and set them aside for patrons who can come into that branch to check the items out.

We will be unable to add new materials to the collection from March 19 to April 19.

Collection Agency activity will stop from April 7 to April 19. No one will be added to collection agency lists or automatically reported as paid during that time. If a collection debt is paid off during that time, staff will call the collection agency to report this, and will provide a receipt for payment.

Online catalog functions will be unavailable from April 10 to April 19. Neither staff nor patrons will be able to access the catalog. Patrons will be able to check items out, have them checked in, and register for new cards. New cards will be valid at any NPL branch, and items checked out may be checked back in at any NPL branch.

Beginning April 19, the check-out line may move more slowly than usual while staff gain experience with the new software. If you experience slightly longer-than-usual lines, please be patient.

All materials checked out between April 10 and April 19 will have a three-week lending period. You may, of course, return materials during this time period.

On Tuesday, April 18, all branches will close at 5:00 p.m. while the final components of the conversion are loaded onto the new system.

The new system, SirsiDynix Unicorn, replaces the old Data Research Associates system (DRA). SirsiDynix offers many of the same self-service features as DRA such as the ability to renew online, request material, and search or browse the catalog for a particular author, keyword, call series, and title. But, it also offers numerous new features not offered by the previous system. Some of the new enhancements include: