Look No Further: Montana State Library Pilots New Service to Get Information from Around the World in Hands of Patrons
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2010
Contact: Sara Groves
(406) 444-5357
(HELENA) -- The Montana State Library is currently piloting a new service that is designed to help its users and information seekers from throughout the state to more easily locate and obtain items within the collections of the State Library. The service, called WorldCat Local, also enables local library users to locate resources within the collections of thousands of libraries around the world.
The Montana State Library's pilot WorldCat Local service provides expanded Web access to local, regional, and worldwide library resources. The search box, labeled "Search MSL and beyond", is currently available on the library web site at http://msl.mt.gov.
"Through this service, our library users at the Montana State Library can locate materials they need from within our library's collections of both print and online materials or from the collections of other libraries worldwide," said James Kammerer, manager of the Library Information Services division at the Montana State Library.
When a library user conducts a search using the search box, items that are available locally - collections in the Montana State Library - are shown at the top of the search results. The service also displays information about libraries outside the Montana State Library to help users find resources in other libraries that can be requested through the State Library's interlibrary loan service.
Through the service, users can connect to the library to place holds on items that are currently checked out or to request a loan of an item from another library. They can also take advantage of social networking tools, including creating favorites lists, reviews and making recommendations.
"Library users from every corner of Montana can use the new service in a number of ways to simplify their search for information," continued Kammerer. "For example, anyone who uses the service can create lists of resources and share those lists with coworkers or friends. They can also export the lists for inclusion in bibliographies. Many library users will also want to take advantage of the opportunity to add personal reviews of the library materials they access for future reference," said Kammerer. "We hope that all of our patrons give the new WorldCat Local service a try today.
Because this is a pilot the Montana State Library is seeking feedback from its patrons about this service. Any comments can be emailed to mslreference@mt.gov. The pilot runs through the middle of February, 2011.
Through its statewide programs, the Montana State Library empowers Montanans; enhances learning in families and communities; builds 21st Century skills; and provides opportunities for civic participation. For more information about the Montana State Library, visit http://msl.mt.gov. For more information about the Commission meeting, contact Sara Groves, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, at (406) 444-5357 or via e-mail at: sgroves@mt.gov.
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