The Bellingham Public Library’s work to update its Integrated Library System will impact library use during the first days of the new year. All locations will be closed January 1 & 2, and services limited January 1 – 7, 2019.
Library Director Rebecca Judd said she joins the library Board of Trustees and library staff in apologizing for the inconveniences that come with this major move to a new software system, known as Polaris.
“While the rewards our new system offers outweigh the short-term inconveniences, we regret the impact on our patrons during a time of year when we typically see high library use,” she said.
During January 1-7, 2019, library services are limited to check OUT only:
- No items will be checked IN. Keep your items a week longer! During this time, no items will be due and no overdue fines will be charged.
- No holds will be placed on books or other physical library materials from Jan. 1 – 7. Holds already waiting for you won’t expire.
- No payments will be taken for fines, fees or other financial transactions from Jan. 1 – 14.
- Self-checkout stations will be unavailable.
- No items will be processed through our “Request An Item” system from Dec. 10 – Jan. 7.
Library services still available January 1-7 include:
- Checking out books and other items that are available on our shelves.
- Checking out most digital items (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines) as well as using digital resources such as NewsBank, Consumer Reports, Ancestry.com, Mango Languages, and other tools.
- Searching the catalog, though holds cannot be placed.
- Using library public computers, printers, and free wireless access at all our locations.
Improvements offered by the new system include improved data security and more efficient work flows for staff, which will allow us to focus more on services to patrons. We also anticipate the availability of additional contemporary features through Polaris in the months and years ahead.
“While the project has been underway for some time, the impacts most noticeable to patrons will occur during this week of limited services,” Judd said. “Depending upon how smoothly the project proceeds, additional time may be needed before library operations are fully back to normal,” she added. Patrons will be kept informed via the library website and catalog, social media, and information provided at all library locations.
Thank you for your support and patience during this important project. For more information, stop by and talk with our staff or Ask Us.