Designed to streamline everyday operations, Mobile Worklists eliminates the back-and-forth between stacks and circulation desks to update records, manage holds, and conduct inventory. It enables staff to complete these tasks directly from their mobile devices, saving valuable time and effort.

Unlike third-party mobile apps that require manual syncing, Mobile Worklists is natively integrated with Sierra ensuring real-time data accuracy and eliminating the risk of outdated records.  Mobile Worklists will also integrate with Polaris in 2025. This Integration with both systems will offer extraordinary accuracy and flexibility, enhancing library operations across the board.

Mobile Worklists enables users to:

• Make Real-Time Inventory & Catalog Updates – Make instant changes to item records without needing to return to a workstation.
• Enhance Mobility & Efficiency – Perform circulation and collection management tasks on the go, reducing time spent at fixed workstations.
• Simplify List Management – Create and manage custom lists for weeding, inventory, and hold fulfillment with ease.
• Scan Barcodes & Track In-House Use– Scan barcodes using a mobile device to streamline material handling.

As expansion continues for Mobile Worklists, updates will also include support for patron registration, event check-ins, staff alerts, and deeper integrations with Vega.

Sierra and Polaris libraries can be the first to test out and provide feedback as product enhancements continue for Mobile Worklists. Sign up today to become an early adopter.

IUG attendees can visit the Innovative booth for a live demo or request an online demo.

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Innovative, part of Clarivate, is pleased to announce that four of our library solutions were awarded recognition in LibraryWorks’ Modern Library Awards (MLAs). The MLAs recognize the top products and services in the industry, based on criteria such as functionality, value, and customer service. Over 80,000 librarians participated, evaluating and scoring product submissions that they were familiar with.

Innovative is committed to developing solutions that support library staff, patrons, donors, and communities.  Earning MLA recognition highlights our dedication to enhancing existing products, innovating new library solutions, and ensuring they deliver user-friendly experiences. 

“We are thrilled that these products have been recognized for their innovation and impact, reaffirming our commitment to empowering libraries with the best tools to serve their communities,” said Yariv Kursh, Innovative Senior Vice President and General Manager. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust our library partners place in Innovative to drive their success.” 

Innovative received recognition for the following products: 

PLATINUM distinction for Polaris with a score of 9.11/10 

The Polaris Integrated Library System (ILS) is a trusted and flexible solution that offers intuitive, web-based access for staff and customizable settings for each library. Polaris includes robust APIs and can integrate with third-party vendors and other resources outside the library. 

One MLA judge wrote on their evaluation: “We switched from (competitive product) to Polaris over 6 years ago and have been happy with the switch, including adding on complementary services. We just executed another 6-year contract because we’re so happy with our experience with Polaris and working with, now, Clarivate. I trust them in their forward-thinking development of services.” 

See it for yourself and request your personalized demo with no commitment here. 

PLATINUM distinction for Vega Discover with a score of 9.04/10 

Vega Discover is an engaging online catalog for patrons. Leveraging linked data and a simple user interface, libraries can offer an experience that not only meets the needs of their patrons, but sparks curiosity and discovery.   

One MLA judge shared with us: “Leveraging Vega Discover Premium has led to dramatic improvements in our public-facing interfaces. One key aspect we appreciate is the platform’s rapid development cycle, which consistently brings valuable enhancements that we can customize to meet the evolving needs of our patrons. We believe that the Vega Discover platform is well-positioned to remain the best patron-facing web experience available for the foreseeable future, thanks to its strong development roadmap and strategic partnerships with library systems like ours.” 

Request a free demo today and see how you can simplify search and amplify access for your community today! 

PLATINUM distinction for INN-Reach with a score of 8.91/10  

INN-Reach is a streamlined and cost-effective way for libraries to provide their communities with access to materials beyond the current library collection. Staff appreciate the automated processing, while borrowers appreciate the easy request process. 

One MLA judge wrote: “Our library system has been a long-time and satisfied user of Innovative Interfaces’ INN-Reach product, which has become an essential tool for us. The platform seamlessly integrates our shared resources, allowing us to provide expanded access to materials across the network, greatly enhancing our patrons’ experience. The ease of use, stability, and consistent performance of INN-Reach make it a key element of our library operations. One feature we particularly appreciate is the robust circulation and borrowing functionality, which helps streamline workflows for both staff and patrons.” 

Curious to see how your library can enhance resource sharing, reduce costs and improve patron satisfaction? Request your free demo here. 

GOLD distinction for Mobile Worklists with a score of 7.9/10 

This mobile app for library staff provides a wide range of features for Sierra libraries, from digital pick lists to inventory and weeding support to mobile circulation features. Mobile Worklists has received honors from the Modern Library Awards for 10 years in a row, including eight Platinum distinctions and two Gold distinctions. Mobile Worklists is available through Google Play and the Apple store. 

One MLA judge said: “This app has saved us a lot of time and effort with circulation and technical services projects.” 

Mobile Worklists empower you to work smarter, faster, and greener. Give your workflow a boost and explore the convenience of Mobile Worklists today! 

For more information about us and our award-winning products, please visit www.iii.com or contact us here. 

About LibraryWorks

LibraryWorks helps administrators make informed decisions about library technology, automation and software, collection development and management, facilities and furnishings, staffing, purchasing, and other areas that drive effective strategic planning and day-to-day operations. Their family of resources can help you to identify best practices, monitor trends, evaluate new products and services, apply for grants and funding, post or find a job. 

About the Modern Library Awards program 

The Modern Library Awards (MLAs) is a review program designed to recognize elite products and services in the market which can help library management personnel enhance the quality-of-experience for the library user and increase the performance of their library systems. 

For complete survey results, visit the Modern Library Awards website. 

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Innovative, part of Clarivate, is pleased to announce that four of our library solutions were awarded recognition in LibraryWorks’ tenth annual 

LibraryWorks surveys librarians using each product to determine which solutions are among the top products and services in the industry. The criteria for judgment includes functionality, value, and customer service. Product submissions were scored by nearly 80,000 librarians. 

“We are dedicated to providing libraries with innovative and world-class solutions utilizing new technologies and rapid release processes, which means we can get new features and products into the hands of our customers quickly. We are honored by the Modern Library Awards and thankful to our partner program customers for their valuable contributions in making this possible,” says Toni Minick, VP of Product Management at Innovative. 

The Innovative products achieving platinum recognition are: 

• Innovative Resource Sharing – Innovative Resource Sharing (INN-Reach) is a streamlined and cost-effective way for libraries to provide their communities with access to materials beyond the current library collection. Staff appreciate the automated processing, while borrowers appreciate the easy request process. INN-Reach earned a rating of 8.86 on a scale of 1 – 10. 
• Mobile Worklists – This mobile app for library staff provides a wide range of features for Sierra libraries, from digital pick lists to inventory and weeding support to mobile circulation features. Mobile Worklists earned a rating of 8.7 on a scale of 1-10. 
• Vega Discover – Vega Discover is an engaging online catalog for patrons. Leveraging linked data and a simple user interface, libraries can offer an experience that not only meets the needs of their patrons, but an experience that sparks curiosity and discovery. Vega Discover earned a rating of 8.59 on a scale of 1 – 10.

  One judge commented, “The Vega team’s dedication to this product is evident through their ongoing commitment to improvement post-launch. They have been highly responsive to user feedback, consistently delivering biweekly updates with transparent and concise communication. We believe Vega represents the future of III, and we’re delighted to be a part of this thriving community.” 

The Innovative product achieving gold recognition is: 

• Polaris ILS – The Polaris Integrated Library System (ILS) is a trusted and flexible solution that offers intuitive, web-based access for staff and customizable settings for each library. Polaris includes robust APIs and can integrate with third-party vendors and other resources outside the library.  

One judge commented, “We appreciate the granularity, flexibility, and scalability offered by Polaris” while another judge shared, “We switched [to Polaris] 3 years ago – every day we are thankful to have Polaris!” 

For more information about Innovative’s award-winning products, request a demo online or call 510-619-3566. For complete survey results, visit the Modern Library Awards website: modernlibraryawards.com. 

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The latest version of Mobile Worklists introduces support for using a mobile device to scan RFID tags with the device’s Near-Field Communication (NFC) feature. This means that libraries can use mobile devices to scan RFID tags on library items as an alternative to scanning barcodes with the device camera.

 “The ability to scan RFID tags has been a long-standing request for Mobile Worklists,” says Mobile Worklists Product Manager Mike Dicus. “I’m really pleased that libraries that use RFID tags can now scan those tags with Mobile Worklists, making it easier and faster for staff to process materials in the stacks.”

Mobile Worklists 4.6 also delivers a fix for a bug that affected barcode scanning on some iOS devices.

Download the latest version of Mobile Worklists for Android from the Google Play store, and for iOS from the Apple App store.

Interested in using Mobile Worklists at your library? Contact us for a demo today.

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The MLAs are awarded to the top products and services in the industry, according to criteria including functionality, value, and customer service. Product submissions were scored by nearly 80,000 librarians.

“Innovative understands that the modern librarian deserves modern solutions,” said Toni Minick, VP of Product Management, “This outstanding recognition is a testament to our ability to deliver products that positively resonate with customers and librarians worldwide.”

The Innovative products achieving platinum recognition are:

• Vega Discover – Vega Discover helps patrons find search results and content with pinpoint accuracy and relevancy with a simple, intuitive interface that provides the modern experience patrons expect. Vega Discover earned a rating of 8.28 on a scale of 1 – 10.
• Polaris Leap – Polaris Leap has a web interface that can be accessed on a desktop, notebook, or tablet, enabling library staff to serve patrons with the power and functionality of the Polaris ILS from wherever it is most convenient, even when that’s outside the library walls. Polaris Leap offers a comprehensive web-based staff experience, and most library staff can complete all their work within Leap. Polaris Leap earned a rating of 8.53 on a scale of 1 – 10.
• Innovative Resource Sharing – Innovative Resource Sharing (INN-Reach) is an easy and cost-effective solution for libraries to offer patrons access to more materials and a better borrowing experience. Patrons love how easy it is to request materials and staff love its automated processing. INN-Reach was marked especially highly compared to competitive products. INN-Reach earned a rating of 8.8 on a scale of 1 – 10.

The Innovative products achieving gold recognition are:

• Mobile Worklists – One of the market’s first native mobile apps for library staff, Mobile Worklists continues to provide comprehensive features for Sierra libraries. It gives library staff flexibility for material handling tasks whether they’re at the desk or in the stacks.
• Polaris ILS – The Polaris ILS provides a robust and scalable solution with dynamic staff tools and an intuitive interface for patrons that is also open to connections with patrons and their social media, third-party vendors, and resources outside your library.

For more information about Innovative’s award-winning products, visit the Innovative website or call 510-619-3566 to request a demonstration. For complete survey results, visit the Modern Library Awards website: modernlibraryawards.com.

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Mobile Worklists 4.4 provides library staff users with a new Home Screen Editor, which gives library staff users the ability to show or hide features on the home screen in the order preferred by the user. This feature is compatible with all versions of Sierra 3.0 or higher. 

Mobile Worklists 4.4 is available through Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iii.mobileworklists and through the Apple App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mobile-worklists/id945537908. Mobile Worklists is supported on Android devices running Android 6.0 and newer and on iOS devices running iOS 12.0 or newer. 

Mobile Worklists is available in English, Catalan, Spanish, French, Canadian French, Finnish, Polish, Estonian, and Swedish. 

Prerequisites: Sierra 3.0 or higher. Mobile Worklists Priority Paging, Shelf List functionality, and updating item record fields require Sierra 5.2 or higher. Count Use, Backdate Check In, and Check Out Item functionality requires Sierra 5.4 or higher. 

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As demands on libraries continue to change and challenge the traditional confines of the library, it’s more important than ever that libraries be able to untether services and their staff from the circulation desk. With the ability to check out items to patrons on the fly, Mobile Worklists 4.3 empowers library staff to serve patrons within the stacks, curbside, or at pop-up locations—anywhere with an internet connection. 

Using Mobile Worklists 4.3, library staff can simply use their device camera to scan a patron’s barcode and the barcodes of their items, and the items will be checked out per Sierra’s loan rules. Mobile Worklists can also check-in items by scanning the items’ barcode. Item check-out requires Sierra 5.4 or later.  

Those running Sierra version 5.4 or higher can select to scan items (with their device camera) on the app home screen. 

Mobile Worklists is available in English, Catalan, Spanish, French, Canadian French, Finnish, Polish, Estonian, and Swedish. 

Prerequisites: Sierra 3.0 or higher. Check Out Item functionality requires Sierra 5.4 or higher. 

For more information about getting Mobile Worklists for your library, contact your account manager or reach out to the Customer Relationship Center (CRC) at (510) 619-3566 or via email at sales@iii.com. 

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The MLAs are awarded to the top products and services in the industry, according to criteria including functionality, value, and customer service. Product submissions were scored by more than 80,000 librarians. 

Innovative is dedicated to creating solutions that serve library staff, patrons, donors, and citizens. Receiving the MLA awards is evidence of Innovative’s commitment to making the best of existing products and new products to create elegant and simple user experiences. 

“Today’s library user has high expectations of their library experience—either online or in person—and library staff need tools that keep up with a rapidly evolving library experience. Innovative is committed to building solutions that not only keep pace but set a new standard for the library experience,” said Yariv Kursh, General Manager of Innovative. “We’re proud of all of our solutions, and believe these awards confirm that we invest our products with the utmost in quality, design, and technology with libraries and librarians in mind.” 

The Innovative products achieving platinum recognition are: 

• Mobile Worklists – One of the market’s first native mobile apps for library staff, Mobile Worklists continues to provide comprehensive features for Sierra libraries. It gives library staff flexibility for material handling tasks whether they’re at the desk or in the stacks. Mobile Worklists has earned platinum status for seven consecutive years, this year with an overall score of 9.86 on a scale of 1 – 10.  
• Vega Discover – Marking its first-year entry in the Modern Library Association awards, Vega Discover helps patrons find search results and content with pinpoint accuracy and relevancy with a simple, intuitive interface that provides the modern experience patrons expect. Vega Discover earned a rating of 9.05 on a scale of 1 – 10.  
• Polaris Leap – Polaris Leap has a web interface that can be accessed on a desktop, notebook, or tablet, enabling library staff to serve patrons with the power and functionality of the Polaris ILS from wherever it is most convenient, even when that’s outside the library walls. Polaris Leap offers a comprehensive web-based staff experience, and most library staff can complete all their work within Leap.  

• Polaris ILS – The Polaris ILS provides a robust and scalable solution with dynamic staff tools and an intuitive interface for patrons that is also open to connections with patrons and their social media, third-party vendors, and resources outside your library. Judges rated Polaris especially highly with a score of 9.33 in relation to other ILS solutions on the market. 

The Innovative product achieving gold recognition is: 

• Innovative Resource Sharing – Innovative Resource Sharing (INN-Reach) is an easy and cost-effective solution for libraries to offer patrons access to more materials and a better borrowing experience. Patrons love how easy it is to request materials and staff love its automated processing. INN-Reach was marked especially highly compared to competitive products. 

For more information about Innovative’s award-winning products, visit the Innovative website or call 510-619-3566 to request a demonstration. For complete survey results, visit the Modern Library Awards website: modernlibraryawards.com. 

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Mobile Worklists 4.2 provides library staff users with the following new features: 

• Count use of library materials – A quick way for staff to count materials used within the library before they are reshelved 
• Backdate check in of items – Check in items from book drops and remote return locations and manually adjust the check-in date 
• Update message, internal note, item message, OPAC message, item type, and item code 2 fields in item records – Expanded item details can now be changed quickly using the app, beyond item location, status, and inventory date 
• Item Matcher updated to include new item detail fields – Staff users have more options for which item fields to match against when creating rules for item matching. 

Mobile Worklists 4.2 is available through Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iii.mobileworklists and through the Apple App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mobile-worklists/id945537908. Mobile Worklists is supported on Android devices running Android 6.0 and newer and on iOS devices running iOS 12.0 or newer. 

Mobile Worklists is available in English, Catalan, Spanish, French, Canadian French, Finnish, Polish, Estonian, and Swedish. 

Prerequisites: Sierra 3.0 or higher. Mobile Worklists Priority Paging, Shelf List functionality, and updating item record fields require Sierra 5.2 or higher. Count Use and Backdate Check In require Sierra 5.4 or higher. 

The post Mobile Worklists 4.2 Brings Improvements for Keeping Metrics; Managing Items appeared first on Innovative Interfaces Inc..

This is the first major update to Mobile Worklists since the initial Android release of the mobile app that lets library staff work in the stacks. Mobile Worklists 4.1 contains enhancements to Title Paging Lists, worklist management, and inventory workflows. This release also introduces item matcher functionality to alert staff when items on a list meet specified criteria.

Mobile Worklists 4.1 provides library staff users with the following new features:

• Show item status in the list display for shelflists – See the item statuses on the list without the need to tap through to Item Details
• Tap to verify an item on a shelflist – You can choose to verify an item is found on a list without scanning or typing in the item barcode
• Create an item worklist from a shelflist – Save your shelflist as an item worklist
• Display pick-up location on the Title Paging List – The Title Paging List now displays the pick-up location for each entry on the list
• Preview number of items paged in each location – When accessing the location filter for the Title Paging List, the list shows the number of items on the Title Paging List at each of the listed locations. This idea comes from Idea Lab, where libraries submit ideas for product features.
• Location limit available on My Lists – Filter the items on a worklist according to the item’s location
• Alert users when items on a list, Title Paging List or shelflist meet user-specified criteria – Create rules for the app to alert you when an item is found that meet circulation or cataloging criteria, such as a specific item status or check-in date range.

Mobile Worklists is available for library partners using Sierra. Current Mobile Worklists users can download the Android version of Mobile Worklists through the Google Play store at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iii.mobileworklists and through the Apple App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mobile-worklists/id945537908. Mobile Worklists is supported on Android devices running Android 6.0 and newer and on iOS devices running iOS 12.0 or newer.

Mobile Worklists is available in English, Catalan, Spanish, French, Canadian French, Finnish, Polish, Estonian, and Swedish.

For more information about getting Mobile Worklists for your library, contact your account manager or reach out to the Customer Relationship Center (CRC) at (510) 619-3566 or via email at sales@iii.com.

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The Mobile Worklists mobile app, which lets library staff update lists and item records from their mobile device when pulling titles for exhibits, fulfilling holds, and conducting inventory, is now available on the Android platform and offers libraries more options for getting work done from within the stacks. The Android operating system is used by about three-quarters of mobile users worldwide. 

“Mobile Worklists has saved us time and paper while pulling holds and conducting inventory,” said Maisam Nouh, Information Technology Supervisor at The Ferguson Library in Connecticut. “The ability to use the app on Android devices means we can have even more staff using Mobile Worklists.” 

Users have awarded Mobile Worklists a Platinum award, the highest distinction in the annual Modern Library Awards, for six years running. In 2021, it received an overall score of 9.1 on a scale of 1-10.  

“The past year has shown that libraries need to remain flexible to accommodate the unexpected. Mobile Worklists is an important tool that helps library staff complete tasks from anywhere, and support for Android adds even more flexibility,” said Aaron Terrell, Vice President of Engineering at Innovative. 

Mobile Worklists 4.0 also contains updates to selected translations. Mobile Worklists is available in English, Catalan, Spanish, French, Canadian French, Finnish, Polish, Estonian, and Swedish. 

Mobile Worklists is available for Sierra libraries. Users can download it from Google Play or the Apple App Store. To learn more about Mobile Worklists, download our product overview from the Innovative website. 

To request Mobile Worklists for your library, contact your account manager or reach out to the Customer Relationship Center (CRC) at (510) 619-3566 or via email at sales@iii.com. 

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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, 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. 

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EMERYVILLE, Calif. October 13, 2020 – Innovative, a ProQuest company and leading global provider of library software, today announced the release of its new Innovative Mobile product, which puts the power of Sierra and Polaris into patrons’ hands worldwide.

The new mobile app is focused on public libraries and consortia and is customized for each site, with branding and the look and feel designed by the library. Innovative Mobile offers full access to the library catalog and allows patrons to search and find both physical and electronic library materials. Additional features include:

Fully featured and ready to meet the needs of you and your patrons—now.

• Offers quick and easy set up; configure the app in a matter of weeks rather than months
• Works with Sierra and Polaris public libraries and consortia (iOS and Android)
• Linked accounts enable users to manage family/children’s accounts
• Works with online fine payment services to let patrons pay fines through the app

Empowers self-service and contactless pick up – critical to keeping library staff and patrons safe.

• Supports social distancing with digital library card, full catalog searching, in-app access to electronic resources, and curbside pickup
• Using barcode or RFID, patrons can borrow and return items in the library from their device
• Turn user and staff devices into self-service machines, reducing the need for existing and future self-service hardware

Customizable – an app that looks like your library, built for your patrons.

• Menu layout, app colors, etc. all customizable by the library
• Offers consortium resources while maintaining branding unique to each member library
• Automatically displays in patrons’ native language with 20+ language options

“In today’s world, we all spend more time on our mobile phones than on any other device,” said Yariv Kursh, General Manager of Innovative. “We’ve been listening to what libraries and patrons really want from a library app, and those voices have become louder in the COVID era, when the need for patron self-service has become more important than ever. We are pleased to say that Innovative Mobile checks all the boxes for a state-of-the-art library app that all patrons deserve.”

Innovative is working with SOLUS as a development partner for Innovative Mobile. Based in Glasgow, Scotland, SOLUS is an agile technology development company that builds highly functional and scalable mobile app solutions. Over 5,600 libraries around the globe use their technology.

Public libraries using Sierra or Polaris can request a demo or quote for Innovative Mobile. To learn more, visit https://www.iii.com/products/innovative-mobile/.

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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 libr

The post Innovative Offers New Mobile App for Public Libraries appeared first on Innovative Interfaces Inc..

The Innovative products achieving platinum recognition are:

• Polaris Leap Web Application – The Polaris Leap Web Application brings the power and functionality of the Polaris ILS public services workflows to library staff through a browser. It 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. Netting an overall score of 9.0 on a 1-10 scale, judges gave scores above 9 for quality, customer service, company reputation and comparison to similar products.
• Innovative Resource Sharing – Innovative Resource Sharing is a convenient and cost-effective solution for libraries that gives patrons access to more materials and a better borrowing experience. Earning an overall score of 8.82, Innovative Resource Sharing earned high marks above 9 for quality and comparison to competitors’ similar products.
• Mobile Worklists – Innovative was the first to market with a native mobile app for library staff, and it continues to far exceed expectations. For five consecutive years, Mobile Worklists has earned platinum status, this year with an overall score of 9.64. Judges awarded perfect 10 scores for quality and comparison to similar products.
• MyLibrary! – MyLibrary! is an iOS and Android mobile app that makes it easy for patrons to engage with library resources anywhere, anytime. Earning an 8.8 overall score, judges gave high marks for quality and functionality.

“We’re proud to earn platinum recognition for these outstanding products,” said Shaheen Javadizadeh, CEO of Innovative. “These awards further validate our mission to develop products that provide truly innovative solutions to library staff and their patrons, whose satisfaction is our ultimate reward.”

For more information about Innovative’s award-winning products, visit the Innovative website, iii.com, or call 510-619-3566 to request a demonstration. For complete survey results, visit the Modern Library Awards website, modernlibraryawards.com.

###

ABOUT INNOVATIVE INTERFACES INC.

Innovative (iii.com) 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.

ABOUT LIBRARYWORKS

LibraryWorks helps administrators to make informed decisions about library technology, automation and software, collection development and management, facilities and furnishings, staffing, purchasing, and other areas that drive effective strategic planning and day-to-day operations. Our family of resources can enable you to identify best practices, monitor trends, evaluate new products and services, apply for grants and funding, post or find a job, and even enjoy some library humor.

ABOUT THE MODERN LIBRARY AWARDS PROGRAM

The Modern Library Awards (MLAs) is a program designed to recognize elite products and services in the library market which can help library management personnel enhance the quality-of-experience for the library user and increase the performance of their library systems.

The post Four Innovative Solutions Earn Platinum Distinction in 2020 Modern Library Awards appeared first on Innovative Interfaces Inc..

Are We Done Solving Metadata Problems Yet?
Thursday, November 9, 2017 | 2:30pm – 3:10pm
Grand Ballroom 2, Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC

Traditional processes for obtaining and managing accurate, clean collection data are expensive and labor intensive. End-users expect fast and easy discovery of desired information, but do MARC records and KBART knowledge bases deliver the desired impact? This session brings together speakers from different areas of the library world. Join us for a lively discussion that incorporates what we’ve learned from past approaches to tackle this problem that could inform where we need to go in the future. We’ll share perspectives from each of the speakers and we hope to hear from the audience regarding priorities, ideas, and reservations about making changes in this space.

Speakers:

• Tim Auger, Product Management Director, eContent and Resource Sharing, Innovative Interfaces
• Graham Bell, Executive Director, EDItEUR
• Tim Coates, CEO and Founder, The Freckle Project
• Rice Majors, Associate University Librarian, Santa Clara University
• Jeff Penka, VP Product Management, Zepheira

Mobile Management for Shifting Collections (Innovation Lightning Round 1)
Friday, November 10, 2017 | 10:45am – 11:45pm
Carolina Ballroom, Francis Marion Hotel, 387 King Street, Charleston, SC

As the needs of academic students and faculty evolve, academic libraries must consider how to optimize the space they have to deliver the greatest value to their users. This frequently means needing to shift collections. At Santa Clara University, the University library has leveraged mobile technology to make these processes more manageable. Using the Mobile Worklists app, they have been able to move materials in a way that increases staff efficiency and minimizes any interruption in access to these materials for students and faculty. Additionally, the library has found opportunities to increase the quality of work performed by student workers by using the app to support training for their pages. With so much attention on electronic resources, it is easy to forget the challenges of the physical collection. Mobile Worklists reminds us that modern technology can be used to improve processes we haven’t thought about for years.

If you have questions about our presentations or want to schedule a meeting with an Innovative account manager, please visit our team at Table #11 during exhibition hours on Tuesday, November 7 from 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.  We’re looking forward to hearing your thoughts about the future.

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Mobile Worklists Release 2.6 is intuitive and easy to use. Here are some of the reviews we received from our beta testers:

• “We like being able to navigate from one item detail to the next. We found how to navigate this fairly easily and it works well. We like the enhancements. Thank you!”
• “We love this!”
• “The swipe up/down to move between item detail screens is very helpful.”

After navigating to an Item Detail screen in Mobile Worklists, you can swipe up or down to go directly to the Item Detail screen for the previous or next item on the list, without returning to the main list view.

Mobile Worklists is currently available for library partners using Sierra. Mobile Worklists users can download the new version of the mobile app from the Apple App Store. Devices configured for automatic downloads (most common) will receive the update automatically. Compatible devices include Apple devices running iOS 9.0 or above. Sierra Release 2.1 or higher is also required. You can read more about previous updates to Mobile Worklists on our blog.

The post Save Time Swiping Item to Item in Mobile Worklists 2.6 appeared first on Innovative Interfaces Inc..

Released in May, Mobile Worklists 2.5 development continues the focus on simplifying the user experience by adding easy-to-use new features. Being able to jump back to a place in a list will be helpful for any user working between two lists or staff who share a login for projects and hand-off duties between shifts. The automatic jump is so quick and seamless that you may not have even noticed it the first time it happened.

When you open a list for the first time, you start at the top of the list. If you work you way through part of a list and then return to the My Lists screen, you will be automatically returned to your last place in the list when you re-open it.

Mobile Worklists is currently available for library partners using Sierra. Mobile Worklists users can download the new version of the mobile app from the Apple App Store. Devices configured for automatic download will receive the update automatically. Compatible devices include Apple devices running iOS 9.0 or above. Sierra Release 2.1 or higher is also required. You can read more about our previous update to Mobile Worklists on our blog.

The post Mobile Worklists 2.5 Automatically Saves Your Place in a List appeared first on Innovative Interfaces Inc..

The actions to star and unstar can be completed by:

• Swiping right on an item in the list view
• Tapping the star icon in the toolbar on the Item Detail screen
• Tapping the star icon in the toolbar on the Edit List screen

The new feature was designed with simplicity and flexibility in mind. It can be used to bookmark a spot within a large list, or to flag multiple items in a list for a specific reason. The uses are endless, and it has been great to see the different ways library staff found to use the new feature.

To add a star to an item in a list, swipe right on the item, then tap the star. Swipe right again to unstar.

If you’re looking for ideas on how you can use the new feature, here are some examples:

Bookmark. When working through a large list, users can star an item to indicate when they pause to take a break or end their current session. The star remains on the item between app sessions, when moved between lists, and when using one login across multiple devices.

Missing Items. When searching for items on a missing items lists, staff can use the star feature to mark “found” items. They can then easily move all the found items to a new list.

Weeding. A user working from a shelf list can star any item that needs to be weeded (pulling it from the shelf at the same time). Then he or she can quickly select each of the items not starred and delete them as a group. What remains (the starred list) can then be uploaded to Sierra for staff to delete the records and update the library catalogue.

Use the Edit action on a list to select multiple items. Add a star to each item by tapping the star icon in the bottom left of the toolbar.

The feature is intuitive and easy to use. Here are some of the reviews we received from our beta testers:

• “We really like the swiping right to star an item. You hit ‘star’ and it stars.”
• “Starring items from the detail screen is working perfectly. We love it!”
• “It works great. I also installed on both devices and it works seamlessly between the two with the same login.”
• “We are very delighted that your team expanded the capability of the star feature to marking multiple items! It opens up other potential uses.”

Mobile Worklists is currently available for library partners using Sierra. Mobile Worklists customers can download the new version of the mobile app from the Apple App Store immediately. Devices configured for automatic download will receive the update automatically. Compatible devices include Apple devices running iOS 9.0 or above. Sierra Release 2.1 or higher is also required.

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When staff members at Sweden’s Malmö Public Library found out they would be moving their children’s area to a different part of the building, they saw an opportunity to reshape the experience of their young users and ensure their continued success in serving their audience in future years. Instead of a “books-first” philosophy, staff thought about an “experience-first” approach to the library. How do children roam around the space and find new materials? How do they think about topics that interest them? 

“Our aim with the children’s library was to meet our vision of providing library services that are creative, innovative and collaborative,” says Malin Gillberg, Children’s Library Project Manager.  “We wanted the children to have a voice planning what the library would be. We wanted a new classification system because, in our experience and now supported by our research, children find it difficult to understand the classification systems used in most libraries. We wanted to collaborate on a system with children that would be more intuitive and make it easier for children to find what they wanted so that they feel a sense of ownership with their library.”

“Our aim with the children’s library was to meet our vision of providing
library services that are creative, innovative and collaborative.”
—Malin Gillberg, Children’s Library Project Manager. 

Adding Magic and Imagination!

The staff already knew about the children’s favorite books—such as the popular Swedish series about a child called Alfons Åberg and his dad—but they wanted to learn about their passions and ways of thinking. To achieve this goal, the staff conducted four workshops.

In the first, children were asked to sort 20 books into 5 crates and give each crate a name. The staff also told the children to look for books and observed how they found their way around. It became clear that the children didn’t come “pre-wired” to think in a more traditional classification system! Most of them didn’t understand the current system and failed to see where one section ended and another started. For example, the children often looked at books displayed at eye- or hand-level and mostly scanned the book covers. The second workshop asked children to draw pictures about their favorite book and hobby and what words they would use to describe them. Additionally, the children were asked to decorate bookshelves to match their hobbies so the staff could get a feel for how categories were visualized.

Next, the staff prepared thirty-two pieces of paper, some with words and some with pictures. The children were asked to match the words with the pictures. When all of the papers had one word on it, they were asked to add new words. These became the new classification and sub-classification categories.

At the final workshop, the staff presented the new system to the children and asked them to vote on a few subjects that staff found difficult to place. The staff asked them to vote with their eyes closed to make sure they did not influence each other. In all, forty-five new categories emerged. For example, Vampire Words (pictured) fell in to the category and subcategory of Imagination – Crazy and Funny Things category.

New Categories and Location Codes Invented by Children

Fantasi (imagination)
Förr i tiden (in former days)
Kultur (culture)
Vilda djur (wild animals)
Husdjur (pets)
Min kropp (my body)
Livet (life)
Hur funkar det? (how does it work?)
Teknik (technique)
Sport (sport)

Saving Time Equaled Success

Moving a children’s collection with over 40,000 items is a big job, as Malmö Public Library well knew. Location codes need to be changed and updated in their library system, and the activities of several staff members would need to be carefully coordinated.

The ambition of reclassifying the books would make the project even more time consuming, especially if the materials needed to be physically moved to a processing area. However, to stay on

schedule, it was clear that the staff needed an alternative approach. That’s when they decided to utilize Innovative’s Mobile Worklists product.

To get started, twenty staff members simply downloaded Mobile Worklists, an iOS app available at the Apple App Store, and got to work. Using the app with iPhones they already had, the staff created about forty-five item lists with new categories, subcategories, and locations. Then they used their iPhones to quickly scan the barcodes on the materials into their item lists in Mobile Worklists. Some of the staff worked on the same list simultaneously to speed up the process when multiple staff members were available. Later, the lists were updated in Sierra in batch.

Displaying the lists for Imagination (Fantasi) and Life (Livet) categories
and subcategories in Mobile Worklists.

Mobile Worklists Product Manager Elizabeth Henry made the journey from Innovative headquarters in Emeryville, California, to Malmö to visit the staff. She was able to see firsthand how the product works in practice and what library staff need to succeed. As a development partner for Mobile Worklists 1.1, Malmö Public Library staff provided substantive feedback to Elizabeth and Innovative’s development team based on their real-world use of the app.

“Mobile Worklists has a beautiful interface,” says Christina Mattisson, Systems Librarian. “Staff scanned 20,000 books over three months. Our reclassification and moving project was so huge that I cannot even estimate how long it would have taken without Mobile Worklists. I don’t even know how we would have managed without it.”

Innovative looks forward to partnering with Malmö Public Library in the future as they work on implementing RFID throughout the library system.

The post Case Study: Malmo City Library (Sweden) – Giving Children a Voice appeared first on Innovative Interfaces Inc..

Innovative products received honors spanning all levels of distinction:

• Mobile Worklists, a mobile iOS app for collection management, received Platinum for the second year in a row;
• Polaris Leap Web Application, a browser-based solution that offers public services and item management workflows, received Gold for the second year in a row;
• Vital, a digital asset management solution, received Silver.

LibraryWorks created the MLAs to recognize the top products and services in the industry, evaluated on criteria including functionality, value, and customer service. This year, product submissions were sent to more than 80,000 librarians for scoring.

“Innovative continues to provide market-leading investment in new technologies to simplify the work of library staff and make their collections more visible to their patrons,” said Innovative Chief Executive Officer Jim Tallman. “We are honored to receive three awards for the second year in a row and to hear such positive feedback from the industry. We look forward to continuing to deliver solutions that create an open library experience and help even more libraries succeed.”

These award-winning solutions are creating value for libraries and consortia of all types, including the following notable examples:

• Staff at the University of California Hastings College of the Law Library were able to move 40% of their print resources quickly and ahead of schedule with Mobile Worklists.
• Members of the Central Library Consortium in Ohio have used the Polaris Leap Web Application for a weekly, pop-up school library, and to register patrons and answer questions during community events.
• Kansas City Public Library in Missouri used Vital to create an award-winning resource, The Civil War on the Western Border website.

For more information about Innovative’s library solutions, visit the Innovative website. For complete survey results, view the Modern Library Awards website.

About LibraryWorks

LibraryWorks helps administrators to make informed decisions about library technology, automation and software, collection development and management, facilities and furnishings, staffing, purchasing, and other areas that drive effective strategic planning and day-to-day operations. Our family of resources can enable you to identify best practices, monitor trends, evaluate new products and services, apply for grants and funding, post or find a job, and even enjoy some library humor.

About the Modern Library Awards program

The Modern Library Awards (MLAs) is a program designed to recognize elite products and services in the market which can help library management personnel enhance the quality-of-experience for the library user and increase the performance of their library systems.

The post Innovative Wins Platinum, Gold, and Silver in 2017 Modern Library Awards appeared first on Innovative Interfaces Inc..

Challenge

UC Hastings Law Library is known for its extensive collection of print resources, government documents, archives, and electronic materials, housed on three floors of a six-story academic building. The library’s holdings, managed using Innovative’s Sierra Library Services Platform, include federal, international, and California documents. While the collection is sizable, space in the library is at a premium, and print resources were housed in areas needed for classrooms, common areas, and study rooms for student and faculty use.

In the summer of 2014, the College determined that the top floor of the library would be repurposed for new classrooms, an Educational Technology Center, and space for research centers and clinics. It was quickly calculated that about 40% of the library’s print resources would need to be withdrawn, transferred, or moved to a designated storage area.

Stephanie Schmitt, the Assistant Technical Services and Systems Librarian, says, “At the Innovative Users Group Annual Conference in April 2014, we heard about a great new product in development, Mobile Worklists, and we just knew it would be a perfect fit for our project.”

Library staff contacted Elizabeth Henry, Innovative Product Manager for Sierra Mobile Worklists, and asked to be one of the first users of the product. Elizabeth happily signed up the UC Hastings Law Library as beta testers. “The UC Hastings Law Library was an ideal candidate for Mobile Worklists because they had this big project with very specific goals that was prime for mobile intervention – we all recognized this right off the bat,” Elizabeth says. “Their project validated that Mobile Worklists would be successful across high-volume deadline-driven projects, while our other beta partners were proving success with standard operational workflows in all sizes and types of libraries.”

“Our goal was to maintain the integrity of the collection and to ensure that faculty and students retained access to the content they need,” says Provost and Interim Director of the Law Library, Elizabeth Hillman.

As one of the project’s leads, Stephanie facilitated faculty involvement in the collection analysis. An ad hoc committee of faculty and librarians was formed, and workflows to assist with collection review were established.

The Pre-Mobile Process

Mobile Worklists was not yet ready when the project began, but “we planned for a year-long project,” says Stephanie. Each month, they generated lists from Sierra of physical items, and librarians reviewed the lists for items to discard, which included items with an electronic counterpart or duplicate or multiple copies. Throughout the process, the librarians and faculty on the collection development committee ensured that curriculum needs would continue to be met with the remaining resources. The bibliographic and item records for the selected titles were updated manually to reflect their new withdrawal status in Sierra.

Next, library staff worked to pull the items that were marked for removal from the collection. Before Mobile Worklists, they used printed lists and moved the items into a staging area. The entirety of the remaining collections would be moved to one of the remaining two floors. Each record would need updated location codes. About halfway through the process, the library staff received the anxiously-awaited news that Mobile Worklists was ready for beta testing.

Solution

With Mobile Worklists, the library staff no longer needed to manually update the records for withdrawn items. Staff now could move quickly through the stacks to identify materials selected for withdrawal using the Mobile Worklists app.

The real savings was seen in time and manual effort, especially when it came to emptying the top floor. With Mobile Worklists, barcodes of pulled items were scanned into a new list showing items that had been pulled and moved. Items in the staging area were quickly scanned and moved on as well. The lists generated on the devices could be immediately loaded into a review file in Sierra, where the Global Update tool would annotate the record with the final details of the withdrawal status and location.

Stephanie reports that “staff was pleased with the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of Mobile Worklists.” Eliminating the extra steps of printing lists, moving stacks of books, and relying on marked-up printouts to update item records in the database saved them enough time that they were able to finalize the project before their deadline.

Result

The UC Hastings Law Library was able to meet the needs of the College and have the new library configuration completed by the start of the 2015-2016 academic year, thanks to the speed and efficiency of Mobile Worklists. The results will be felt by everyone on campus. Elizabeth explains, “More study rooms and the new College resources will help draw patrons to the library building and will contribute to the concept of the library as a central place for our students and faculty.”
Meanwhile, library staff in Technical Services and Public Services continues to use Mobile Worklists, now out of beta and in general release, as a relevant part of ongoing operations. For example, the team has already completed a project to move materials from permanent storage back into the stacks. Mobile Worklists allowed them to make those location code changes quickly and easily.

ABOUT MOBILE WORKLISTS

Sierra Mobile Worklists is a native iOS app that is fully cloud-based and integrated with the Sierra desktop application. Traditional library tasks such as inventory management, weeding, relocation projects, and list generation are simplified, and paper reports are rendered unnecessary, thanks to the app’s intuitive and easy-to-use interface that can be utilized right in the library stacks.

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