Emo library moves to automation

It may have started as a small country library, where local students had to take turns signing out their library books, but in the 93 years since its early beginnings, the Emo Public Library has grown, improved, and changed its appearance many times.
A few months ago, the EPL joined a program that will bring the services it offers in line with modern libraries everywhere.
Back in November, the staff began the long process of bar-coding its entire collection and entering the numbers into their computer.
This initiative came about when the Ontario Library Service North received government funding which allowed it to automate all the small libraries in the north.
The grant allowed the EPL to join a system that otherwise would have been cost prohibitive.
“It made it cost-efficient for us,” explained librarian Kathy Leek. “We just pay a basic fee which allows us to log on to the system.”
The server, which is located in southern Ontario, can be accessed by libraries from across the north. The librarians simply have to enter the website, using their password, to begin adding new books to the system.
“We decided to begin with the non-fiction section of our library,” noted Leek. “The students will soon be able to enter our site, search for a particular book and reserve it for a school project.
“We’ve just started the fiction section of the library,” said Leek. “It will take a while for us to complete the entire process.
“We’re hoping to make use of our summer student to help speed things up,” she grinned. “It will take us a few more months to completely switch over to the new system.”
In the meantime, library staff are running the old manual system side by side with the new automated one. Once it is completed, the new automated system will make the EPL more efficient.
“There is so much this system can do for us,” beamed Leek. “We’re definitely learning as we go. There will be fewer processing errors, and we’ll be able to keep better track of the books and other materials that are being borrowed.
“We’ll also be able to keep excellent track of overdue books,” she added. “Eventually you might even get an e-mail warning you that your books are due!”
New bar-coded library cards are now being issued to people who have previously been part of the manual system. Present library numbers are being used as much as possible.
If you don’t have a card and would like to become part of the new system, see Leek or Shirley Sheppard in the next few weeks.