EMERYVILLE, Calif. May 6, 2021 – Innovative, a ProQuest company and leading global provider of library software, announced today that the Metro Library Network (MLN) selected Polaris and Vega Discover as the next solution for their consortium.
The Metro Library Network was started in 1999 when Cedar Rapids Public Library, Marion Public Library, and Hiawatha Public Library came together to provide shared library services to the Cedar Rapids, Iowa metro area. The three public library systems operate independently but use a shared catalog under the Cedar Rapids name.
“After an extensive review, we chose Innovative Polaris for its ease of use and quality features,” said Dara Schmidt, Director, Cedar Rapids Public Library. “We found it to be the best option to support our shared missions to provide high quality library service to our communities. The Metro Library Network looks forward to transitioning to our new ILS this summer and working with Innovative to increase accessibility for all our patrons.”
The Metro Library Network is moving from SirsiDynix Symphony to Innovative Polaris, which aligns with 77% of Polaris survey respondents who chose Polaris for its breadth and depth of functionality as compared with SirsiDynix products (TechValidate survey, March 2019).
Polaris is the preferred library system for many consortia throughout North America. This includes Illinois Heartland Library System, the largest public library consortium in the United States, serving 520 member libraries, and Saskatchewan Information and Library Services Consortium, which encompasses all ten public library systems in the Canadian province, serving 306 libraries.
In addition, the award-winning Polaris Leap web interface, provides the power and functionality of the Polaris ILS workflows to library staff through a browser. Polaris Leap can be used on a desktop, notebook, or tablet, freeing staff to connect with patrons and complete tasks wherever it is most convenient — even outside the library walls.
With Polaris Leap and Vega Discover, the Metro Library Network will be able to provide their staff, patrons, and community a modern and engaging library experience. MLN has already started their implementation process and will go live this summer.
Discover is one module in the Vega Library Experience (LX) suite, a cloud-based platform that allows library staff to easily communicate and manage the full range of materials, programs, and services available to their community. Vega works seamlessly with Sierra and Polaris. To learn more, visit the Innovative website.
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ABOUT INNOVATIVE INTERFACES INC.
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, corporate and special libraries and consortia. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, Innovative has a global presence—serving thousands of libraries in 66 countries and offices worldwide.