Erin Bedford - Learning Retrospective

I recently attended TLCU in Charleston, South Carolina. It was interesting to meet others from across the country and a few from overseas who also use CarlX and hear about things happening in their libraries. There are quite a few exciting things that TLC is working on to improve the CarlX system.

Some of the changes that have occurred/or will be occurring include:
• The customer’s preferred branch will be updatable by the customer in LS2PAC
• Searching by the call number of an item
• LS2PAC Kids will allow a customer to choose their pickup location
• The CARL BID number will show on records in LS2PAC (this way we can simply copy and paste it into CARLX to find the check-in date in a speedier manner)

A new product that we will be getting soonish is Carl-Connect, which is web based, so it will allow us to issue library cards remotely. It will allow us to merge users (even if a customer has items checked out) and if it is connected to a certain type of scanner you will be able to scan a driver’s license and it will populate information for you in the customer registration screen.

The mobile version of LS2PAC is also undergoing some improvements (they have been working with Los Angeles Public Library to improve it). You already have access to a digital library card if you are signed in on the mobile site and there will be more functionality added that is not currently available (including items such as saved lists and searches appearing, allowing filtering in the search results and fine payment).

And last but not least RFID capability should be returning in the near future, which should be helpful during checkouts.

We also got to attend several sessions that focused on different programs occurring in libraries using TLC. Some of these include, Alamance County Public Libraries which are checking out Zoo and museum passes, Los Angeles Public Library which is checking out energy use monitors, play sets (which include books, toys and suggested activities lists) and ukuleles, and Muncie Public Library which is checking out mobile hotspots and Rokus.