Vega Discover features enhanced discovery through expanded Syndetics Unbound integration
EMERYVILLE, Calif. July 28, 2021 – Innovative, a ProQuest company and leading global provider of library software, announced today that Vega Discover is now in general release for Polaris libraries.
Vega Discover, Innovative’s new public library discovery solution, has been under rapid development for the past twelve months. Four Polaris libraries have played a critical role in testing the software: Cooperative Computer Services (CCS) in Illinois, Livingston Parish Library in Louisiana, Miami-Dade Public Library System in Florida, and Pinnacle Library Cooperative in Illinois. As Development Partners, they’ve shared frequent feedback with the product development team. Today, more than 40 libraries have made the choice to move to Vega Discover as part of their commitment to improve their patrons’ library experience.
“Our team is committed to delivering a modern, relatable library experience for patrons, library staff, and whole communities,” said Toni Minick, Vice President of Product Management. “Through our continuous release process, we have quickly expanded our capabilities this year and are excited that Polaris customers will now be able to take advantage of the superior experience Vega Discover provides.”
Enhanced Discovery Powered by Syndetics Unbound
This Vega Discover release also features an expanded list of Syndetics Unbound elements seamlessly woven into the Discover user experience, enabling patrons to browse the stacks virtually, search for titles that fit their specific needs and requirements, and take a serendipitous stroll through titles that match their interests.
Similar to popular consumer technology platforms, Vega Discover goes well beyond helping a user find the item they need, immersing enrichment data into the user interface and experience, making it easy to discover more items of interest and encouraging further exploration. This enhanced discovery experience matches what patrons expect from modern search tools and offers guided exploration through additional content. Syndetics Unbound’s enrichment content and metadata, free for Vega Discover libraries, fills in the scenic details of the additional content along the journey. Patrons can explore a library’s collection from multiple angles, whether that’s finding the next book in a series or the next series a reader will love, using Lexile and Accelerated Reader data cross-referenced with librarian-curated topics to identify high-interest titles for every reading level, or identifying fan fiction using browse by character.
With the implementation of a new API from Syndetics Unbound, this process is now faster than ever, allowing libraries to automatically receive Syndetics Unbound content for all their holdings without the need to upload their database.
“It’s been such a pleasure to partner with Syndetics Unbound and optimize what we offer our libraries through their service,” said Jordan Fields, Senior Team Lead for Product Management. “We prioritized integrating their data in a way that matched Vega’s unique look and feel. Every library we have worked with so far has been really excited about the possibilities this will give their users.”
Vega Discover
Built from the ground up, Vega Discover is a fresh approach to patron discovery. Vega transforms traditional MARC records into BIBFRAME, allowing those records to be connected through complex, linked data relationships. This unique approach empowers Discover to offer interconnected search results that are more accurate and relevant through an intuitive design that makes it easy for people to uncover content with the simplicity they expect from modern technology.
“Our world experienced an exponential amount of change over the past 16 months and technology expectations are at an all-time high,” said Yariv Kursh, General Manager of Innovative. “Now, more than ever, libraries need to be available anywhere, anytime through modern technology that meets the user’s expectations. Vega Discover helps libraries exceed those expectations.”
Vega is designed specifically to address many of the unsolved challenges inherent in current public library solutions. Features include:
- Modern Discovery – Modern web search tools that match how users find and explore content on popular platforms.
- Patron Self-Service – Personalized discovery experience with an always present bookshelf that’s easy to find and visually appealing. Patrons can save individual titles or searches, create custom lists, and update their preferences.
- Work Roll-Ups – Eliminates endless scrolling by combining formats and editions into a single search result with one smart “hold” or “check-out” button, simplifying workflows and offering at-a-glance availability.
- Integrated eContent – Place holds, check out items, and get started with your ebook or eaudiobook all through Vega Discover.
- Showcases – Provide access to related materials, people, and topics in a visual interface that encourages people to explore and uncover further areas of interest.
- Vega Context Engine – The BIBFRAME-based context engine, a database that uses modern data standards designed to integrate with the internet and other data elements.
- Accessibility – Responsive user interface works across devices, adheres to latest accessibility standards, and supports multiple languages.
- Cloud-based Design – Built as software-as-a-service, on a new multi-tenant platform.
To see how Vega Discover works, you can watch our video, “Welcome to Vega Discover” or contact Innovative for a demo.
Vega Library Experience
Vega Discover is one module in the Vega Library Experience (LX) suite, an ultramodern, cloud-based platform. Vega LX offers libraries a unified solution for managing their full range of materials, programs, and services and building ongoing relationships with their community. Vega LX enables library to communicate with users across multiple channels, all while keeping patron data, communication history, and analytics secure and in one place for library staff.
Vega LX is developed in partnership with global leading libraries to create a complete library experience for staff, patrons, donors, and citizens. Learn more about Vega LX in our eBook “Re-imagining the Library Experience” or visit the Innovative website.
###
ABOUT INNOVATIVE
Innovative, a ProQuest company, provides leading technology solutions and services that empower libraries and enrich their users worldwide. Innovative offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios of library automation products on the market today, serving academic, public, national, consortia, and corporate and special libraries. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, Innovative has a global presence—serving thousands of libraries in 66 countries and offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.iii.com.