Home Page

June 1, 2022 In Home Page, LibrarySolution, Press Releases

Bedford Public Library System (VA) Launches TLC•Go! Mobile App

The Library Corporation (TLC) is delighted to announce that Bedford Public Library System (BPLS) is now live with TLC•Go! — the latest mobile app solution provided by TLC. BPLS is able to offer library services via Android and iOS to its community in and around Bedford, Virginia. TLC•Go! provides a seamless connection to BPLS’s integrated library system, Library•Solution.

Many library patrons in the Bedford community have internet access only through their phones. “This new app gives our patrons much better access to our catalog through the device they use the most,” said Julie Wyatt, Technology Librarian at the Bedford Public Library System.

“We’re also excited that it allows us to link to many of our other services,” she added. “Patrons aren’t downloading a ‘one use’ application to their devices. The app connects to our e-book providers, event calendar, research databases, and more — right at their fingertips!”

“Creating more access to the library and the resources available is what it’s all about,” shared Annie Kirkland, Special Projects Manager at TLC. “TLC•Go! makes it possible to search the library catalog and access other resources, all from one place, allowing TLC libraries to meet their users at the point of need.”

To see the library app in action, search Bedford Public Library System in Google Play or the App Store. For more information on procuring your own mobile library app, please contact TLC at sales@tlcdelivers.com.

About The Library Corporation
TLC has operated continuously under the same ownership since 1974 and employs over 200 people dedicated to delivering enterprise software and hardware solutions to public, school, academic, and special libraries worldwide. TLC’s cumulative products are deployed in more than 1,100 organizations, representing over 5,500 locations in North America and worldwide. TLC is certified by the U.S. General Services Administration, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, and the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program. TLC’s Headquarters is based in Inwood, W.Va., and has additional offices in Colorado, Minnesota, and Singapore.

May 12, 2022 In CARL, Data Services, Home Page, LibrarySolution, Press Releases, schools

TLC Exhibiting at Florida Library Association Booth #46

The Library Corporation (TLC) invites attendees of FLA to visit Booth #46. The annual Florida Library Association conference will take place May 23-25, 2022, in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. TLC will demo its latest library mobile app and award-winning modern integrated library systems. Attendees can also learn more about cloud hosting and TLC’s vendor-agnostic cataloging services.

Integrated Library Systems

Library•Solution — 100% web-based software designed for the greatest library efficiency and improved daily workflows
Library•Solution for Schools — K-12 library management with age-appropriate user experiences for all students
CARL•Solution — Purpose-built software for complex libraries with annual custom development commitments

Plus…

TLC•Cloud Services — A cloud hosting service that utilizes Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
TLC•Go! — A world-leading and customizable library app that also lets borrowers checkout from their own device

Cataloging Services

RDAExpress — Automate your library’s entire RDA conversion process in 24 hours or less

eBiblioFile — Continuous delivery of RDA-enriched MARC records for your OverDrive and cloudLibrary records

ITS•MARC — Over 77 million high-quality bibliographic and authority records from 20+ databases, via web or Z39.50

Booth Schedule

Mon, May 23, 2022 • 4:00p – 6:00p ET
Tue, May 24, 2022 • 8:00a – 1:00p ET

To schedule a time to meet with the TLC team, please contact sales@tlcdelivers.com. Or stop by Booth #46. Representatives can discuss your library’s needs and answer any questions about TLC products and services.

March 2, 2022 In Home Page, LibrarySolution, Press Releases

Quipu Group and TLC Launch New eCARD Integration for Library•Solution Customers

Quipu Group LLC, a library technology company, has partnered with The Library Corporation (TLC), a leading supplier of integrated library systems and services, to develop new patron registration and update APIs. TLC’s newly created Library•Solution APIs support seamless integration with Quipu Group’s eCARD online registration services, providing verified online card registration for Library•Solution customers. Justin Duewel-Zahniser, TLC’s Chief Technology Officer shared, “It was a pleasure working with Quipu Group on behalf of our mutual customer, Warren County Library. We partnered closely on the initial integration development and testing, and are excited for the benefit this will bring to Warren County, and to our other mutual customers going forward.”

With eCARD, library patrons have easy access to library card self-registration, using Quipu’s intuitive online registration from the library’s website with the option to use on their in-library computers. Quipu’s eCARD system verifies and standardizes address information entered by the patron in real time for addresses in the U.S. and Canada. Once verified, a patron record is created in the Library•Solution integrated library system and available for immediate use.

“We have enjoyed our development partnership with The Library Corporation (TLC) this past year and over the past decade. We found Justin Duewel-Zahniser and his team to be extremely collaborative and innovative. We love partnering with TLC, a company that shares Quipu’s values for providing excellence in customer services and software,” shared Robert Anderson, Quipu Partner.

In the past, the Quipu Group and TLC partnered to develop full-featured APIs that allow for seamless integration between Quipu’s eCARD product and TLC’s CARL•Solution. CARL•Solution integrations include Contra Costa County Library (CA), Los Angeles Public Library (CA), Metropolitan Library System (OK), Monroe County Library System (NY), Solano County Library (CA), and Wellington City Libraries in New Zealand.

About The Quipu Group
Founded in 2005, The Quipu Group, LLC. is a nationally recognized technology leader providing high quality, high value products that both inspire and empower library staff and users. Boasting over 36 years of service to the library industry collectively, the Quipu Group, LLC. partners continue to demonstrate their passion for the mission and democracy of libraries by being responsive, genuine and trustworthy in providing expertise, products and services to their library partners.

February 25, 2022 In CARL, Home Page, Press Releases

Latest CARL•Solution Release Advances Search & Discovery

The Library Corporation (TLC) is delighted to announce the latest release of the CARL•Solution integrated library system. Among the variety of new features and customer-driven development made in this recent release is a distinct crowd favorite: enhanced searching infrastructure of the online catalog for more relevant results of titles containing special characters, alphanumerics, and compound punctuation — both in the traditional display and in the Grouped Title (FRBR) display.

An online catalog is often the first point of access into the library for patrons; therefore, its importance is obvious as library borrowers will be able to discover titles of interest and obtain a specific set of results that are most relevant to their needs. CARL•Connect Discovery — the native CARL•Solution discovery layer — provides a seamless and well-tuned experience for library users.

Search results now cross-reference additional sub-fields in the record to achieve more relevantly tailored results. A searcher interested in the discography of the Australian rock band AC/DC will have no trouble finding the library’s collection when searching with the slash. Similarly, the Stephen King novel about the time traveler who attempts to prevent a historic assassination will be searchable as 11.22.63 or 11/22/63 or even 112263. Keywords such as O’Keefe can be easily found by searching with or without the apostrophe.

CARL•Solution customer Celia Morse, Automation Services Consultant with The Library Network, shared positively on the modern catalog for their community: “We made our decision to migrate to CARL because of the public interface and we haven’t regretted it.”

This latest release includes improved navigation in the catalog with the addition of jump-to-page numbers on search results and the ability to increase the number of results per page. Library staff will also appreciate improved navigation in CARL•Connect Staff with more keyboard shortcuts and new dashboard displays.

Full item information stored in 949 tags is now discoverable in Z39.50 searches. This will enhance the search and display of library holdings for interlibrary loan use and other third-party vendors and libraries who search CARL•Solution customer databases via Z39.50 protocols.

In-house discoverability received a nod in the latest update with the new limiting option for floating collections. Libraries can set items to float to other branches automatically upon return by setting limits on Location codes. Previously, libraries could set float limits against Media codes only.

Other new features in this release pave a path for future development with a continued focus to bring more functionality into the web-based interfaces. Development included new web-based Acquisitions functionality and advanced reporting through the early adopter release of IBM Cognos web-based reporting.

Jessica Seybold, a CARL•Solution Product Owner, stated, “Our development is not just taking functionality from CARL•X and placing it in CARL•Connect. Instead, it’s being completely reevaluated to provide the ideal workflow and functionality that our customers want.”

The latest release of CARL•Solution includes CARL•X v9.7.1, CARL•Connect Staff v1.6.7, CARL•Connect Discovery v3.6.5, and CARL•Solution APIs v2.0.1.

To see CARL•Solution for yourself, please contact us at sales@TLCdelivers.com.

February 4, 2022 In CARL, Home Page, Press Releases, Tech Logic

A Perfect Fit: Winter Park Library, TLC, and Tech Logic Team up for Prestigious Building Project

The Library Corporation (TLC) and Tech Logic congratulate Winter Park Library (WPL) on the completion of their distinguished new building, designed by the renowned architect, Sir David Adjaye. The two vendors served as a single systems integrator for the library’s project, providing the foundational CARL•Solution integrated library system and Tech Logic’s suite of automation solutions. The building project has been nominated for the ArchDaily 2022 Building of the Year Awards.

Winter Park Library has been operating from its new building for approximately one month, though the project has undergone several phases since its bond referendum passed in 2016. WPL set out to create a community space and a new service model with the future in mind. They wanted to have flexibility, to be accessible, and to meet patrons at the point of need. TLC’s integrated library system and Tech Logic’s automation hardware were key to that success.

In October 2020, WPL completed their migration from SirsiDynix to TLC as one phase of the new service model. Melissa Schneider, Assistant Director at Winter Park Library, shared what went into their decision: “Our focus was that we had to have a catalog that functioned the way people expect modern technology to function. We wanted that ‘Amazon search experience.’ We didn’t see anything else on the market that came anywhere close to what TLC offered.”

In the new service model, roving staff are equipped with a tablet, fully mobile CARL•Connect Staff and the CARL•Connect Discovery FRBR-ized catalog from TLC, miniature RFID pads, and everything they need to assist patrons. The Winter Park community appreciates the library’s hands-on and concierge-like service. When the new building opened, it also included eight selfCIRC PRIME self-service kiosks, rfidGATE security gates, and a new totalAMH automated material handler, all provided by Tech Logic.

“The game-changer for us with Tech Logic’s materials handler was the multi-item induction feature,” stated Schneider. “In terms of thinking about how our members use the library, we thought, ‘We’re going to build this incredible state-of-the-art library, and then we’re going to tell our moms with kids that have a stack of books to return that they have to feed them into the machine one at a time?!’ That’s crazy.”

TLC and Tech Logic streamlined technology, processes, and workflows for Winter Park Library. “Historically, we had many vendors, and getting each one to talk to the other, getting the systems to think as one, was just not possible,” shared Schneider. “Having these combined companies that work so well together, that don’t have conflicting technology, was really appealing to us.”

With a population of over 30,000 residents, Winter Park is located just north of Orlando, Florida. The single-site library system — about a mile from its previous location — was founded in 1885 and is home to over 121,000 items with an average annual circulation of almost 400,000.

Since opening their new location, Winter Park Library has welcomed a record number of new members and visitors. In an average month in their previous location, the library would have enrolled 185 new members and seen 300 to 500 people per day. In contrast, in just two weeks’ time in the new facility, WPL enrolled over 900 new members and welcomed between 600 to 800 people per day.

For more information on partnering with TLC and Tech Logic for your library’s upcoming, large-scale service remodel or building renovation, please reach out at info@TLCdelivers.com.

About Tech Logic
For 25 years, Tech Logic has been the leading provider of innovative sorting technologies, circulation staff support tools, and patron self-service solutions for public and institutional libraries throughout North America. With hundreds of customers worldwide, Tech Logic promises to deliver the most thoughtful approach to the automation technology issues facing your library today. Tech Logic is proud to design, manufacture, build and support our solutions from our headquarters in Oakdale, Minnesota.

January 20, 2022 In Home Page, Press Releases

TLC Celebrates 2021 Data Migration Accomplishments

For over 45 years, The Library Corporation (TLC) has prided itself on the level of detail orientation and dedication performed by its data team for all new customers, current customer upgrade and migration projects, and in its ongoing vendor-agnostic data services. To celebrate the accomplishments of this team, TLC is pleased to announce the statistics from its 2021 year-in-review.

In 2021…

The Library Corporation welcomed the return of four former TLC customers, migrating back from the following competing vendors: Innovative, Koha & Bywater, and Follett. Additional customers in 2021 also joined TLC from SirsiDynix.

Across all databases from new and returning customers, TLC completed the transfer of 1,191,684 bibliographic records, 1,649,365 item records, and 299,222 borrower records. Of these bibliographic records, 1,137,821 records were automatically converted to RDA-enabled records in the migration process.

“During a data migration, TLC ensures all numbers match,” stated Sherry Banks, Director of Operations at TLC Headquarters. “We account for every single record received and provide a report of all records.”

TLC development teams completed 26 new releases between Library•Solution and CARL•X integrated library systems, plus eBiblioFile services. An additional 46 existing customers across 271 sites upgraded to Library•Solution version 5.x, the latest and most advanced version of Library•Solution; while all existing CARL customers across 491 sites are now using CARL•X version 9.6.8 or higher.

133 additional library organizations adopted enhanced OPAC services via ProQuest Syndetics.

54 library customers in 1,139 locations migrated into TLC’s third-generation hosting model, TLC•Cloud Services provided via Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. As of 2022, TLC now manages 61 customers across four time zones and two continents using TLC•Cloud Services.

Customers of TLC’s eBiblioFile cataloging service received a total of the following ready-to-load records over the year: 247,272 full records, 249,236 minimal records, and 29,254 upgraded records.

“Every single member of the TLC team provides outstanding and unparalleled service to our customers, every day,” beamed Annette Murphy, TLC’s CEO and founder. “The dedication we provide to our customers sets us apart from the competition and keeps our libraries moving forward seamlessly.”

For more information on TLC’s implementation, migration, and data services, please speak to a representative at info@TLCdelivers.com.

January 14, 2022 In Home Page, Press Releases

TLC Receives Platinum in 2022 Modern Library Awards from LibraryWorks

The Library Corporation (TLC) is pleased to announce it has received a platinum award in LibraryWorks’ eighth annual Modern Library Awards (MLAs) for its FRBRized online catalog, CARL•Connect Discovery Grouped Title Display.

The MLAs were created to recognize top products and services in the library industry in a truly unbiased format. Products and services were submitted in the fall of 2021 by using a simple application and then were posted on a private site with an enhanced description and attendant materials. The submitted products were batched into small groups and sent to the LibraryWorks database of more than 80,000 librarians at public, K-12, academic, and special libraries.

Only customers with experience using CARL•Connect Discovery Grouped Title Displays in their libraries were permitted to judge, resulting in a truly unbiased score. Each judge scored CARL•Connect Discovery Grouped Title Displays on a numeric basis from 1-10 on a series of questions regarding functionality, value, customer services, etc.

• Customers rated their satisfaction with TLC, on average, as 9.75
• The FRBR catalog received an overall score of 9.15

Grouped Title Display functionality in CARL•Connect Discovery displays a single entry for a work instead of numerous entries for each format and edition. Grouping multiple editions and formats of a bibliographic record gives library users a clear and trustworthy view of the library collection. CARL customers have been included in the development of Grouped Title Display from its inception, with active feedback reflected in the product.

One customer judge shared anonymously, “The grouped title display consolidated over 100 records for Pride and Prejudice into a single trusted record with all of the individual bibliographic records organized by format, making it easy for patrons to find the version they are interested in.”

Other customers have expressed similarly positive feedback with TLC and with Grouped Title Display:

“Access is one of our core values — we believe in every individual’s free and confidential access to information, technology, research, classes, history, and resources. This feature provides a seamless searching experience, enabling us to live this value every day as we strive to be a model library in our industry.”
— Melissa Schneider, Assistant Director, Winter Park Library

“With about a million bibliographic records, The Library Network’s shared catalog includes multiple editions and formats for many titles, especially classics. FRBR helps our patrons by grouping records under format labels so they can quickly pinpoint and locate the title and type of material that they are looking for.”
— Celia Morse, Automation Services Consultant, The Library Network

“We would be doing a disservice to our customers by not providing them with a modern and user-friendly discovery catalog. The transition to the TLC’s modern FRBR catalog was seamless for customers and staff, and we have no regrets about our decision!”
— Wennie Fleming, ILS Librarian at Loudoun County Public Library

Jenny Newman, publisher and MLA program manager said, “It’s hardly a surprise that TLC scored so well. They’ve been at the forefront of the industry since their company entered the market in 1974.”

For more information on the CARL product suite, please visit TLCdelivers.com or speak to a representative at sales@TLCdelivers.com.

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 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.

December 17, 2021 In CARL, Home Page, Press Releases

Now Live on CARL: Frederick County Public Libraries Complete Transition to TLC

The Library Corporation (TLC) is delighted to announce the completed implementation of the CARL•X integrated library system for Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL) in Frederick, Maryland. TLC completed migration services for the nine-site library from its SirsiDynix system following the 2021 Thanksgiving holiday.

Located in the triangle between Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Maryland, and TLC’s headquarters office in Inwood, West Virginia, Frederick County Public Libraries serve a population of approximately 260,000. FCPL includes over 440,000 titles, 591,000 items, and an expected 3 million annual transactions, with data hosted through TLC•Cloud Services.

Staff at both the library and TLC commented positively on the success of the transition. “It’s been a very smooth process and any bumps we’ve encountered, TLC has been incredibly responsive and helpful in migrating to CARL with ease,” said Levi Branson, Circulation Services Supervisor of C. Burr Artz Public Library.

Cindy Phillips, Manager for CARL Implementation and Product Training, shared similar sentiments: “The staff at Frederick County Public Libraries has been fantastic. The migration has gone smoothly due to their great teamwork internally and with TLC.”

“Our customers have loved our new catalog,” said Catie Hall, Associate Director of Frederick County Public Libraries. “FCPL’s goal was to simplify access to our collection and CARL’s mobile-friendly and user-friendly interface has done just that.” Student patrons of the public library may recognize the similarities of the online catalog to the library catalog deployed in their public school system, as TLC customer Frederick County Public Schools has been using Library•Solution for Schools since 2008.

View Frederick County Public Library’s cloud-hosted catalog at catalog.fcpl.org. For more information on the CARL product suite, please visit TLCdelivers.com or speak to a representative at sales@tlcdelivers.com.

November 29, 2021 In Home Page, LibrarySolution, Press Releases

Bryan + College Station Library Migrates to TLC for Efficiency and Security

The Library Corporation (TLC) is pleased to announce the recent implementation of Library•Solution for Bryan + College Station Public Library System (BCS). TLC completed the migration services for the three-site library system from their Polaris integrated library system earlier this month.

BCS serves a population of approximately 200,000 residents across the twin cities of Bryan and College Station in the Brazos Valley of Texas — including a collection of over 172,000 titles and more than 210,000 items.

In addition to the integrated library system and support services provided by TLC, BCS has implemented TLC•Cloud Services underpinned by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, as well as enriched OPAC services via Syndetics Unbound, and TLC’s ITS•MARC subscription service for bibliographic and authority records.

Two main factors that played into the decision included cost effectiveness and increased efficiencies. The library website shared: “This change will result in cost savings, increase workflow efficiencies, and allow us to move to a cloud-based platform.” Library•Solution’s seamless ebook integration service “will allow us to manage both print and online resources within one system. This greatly simplifies our work to make our online collections available.”

Another important factor apparent in the library’s decision to migrate included an emphasis on cybersecurity. BCS evaluated a number of cybersecurity factors — including overall security posture, data storage in the U.S. with regular and two-way encrypted backups, offsite backups, regular penetration testing, frequency of software updates, server hardening, regular security patching of servers, and personnel training in security. “Of the 6 or 7 vendors that we looked at,” stated Wendell Gragg, the Automation Services Supervisor at BCS, “TLC was superior to the other products.”

“TLC does not treat security as an afterthought,” shared Annette Murphy, CEO of TLC. “We are glad to welcome Bryan + College Station Public Library System into the TLC family, and we look forward to hosting the library for many years to come.”

Bryan + College Station Public Library System’s enriched and cloud hosted catalog can be viewed at bcslibrary.tlcdelivers.com. For more information on Library•Solution, please visit TLCdelivers.com or speak to a representative at sales@tlcdelivers.com.

November 24, 2021 In Home Page, LibrarySolution, Press Releases

TLC Welcomes the Return of J Robert Jamerson Memorial Library to Library•Solution

The Library Corporation (TLC) welcomes the return of another former customer to Library•Solution. J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library (JRJML) migrated away from the open-source Koha platform supported by Bywater Solutions and returned to TLC — their previous library management vendor of 22 years prior to 2014.

Located 200 miles from TLC’s Headquarters office in Inwood, West Virginia, the single-site library sits in the heart of the historically significant town of Appomattox, Virginia. The library serves approximately 16,000 residents across the county with over 32,000 titles.

In addition to the integrated library system and support services provided by TLC, JRJML has also implemented enriched OPAC services via Syndetics Unbound and will be utilizing TLC’s ITS•MARC subscription service for bibliographic and authority records.

“After 7 years away, the J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library is excited to be a returning TLC library partner,” stated Diana Harvey, Director for J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library. “As an organization we feel that TLC will provide a modern and easy to navigate Public Access Catalog to our community as well as excellent customer service to our staff.”

Annette Murphy, TLC’s CEO and founder, was pleased to welcome back the library and shared, “J. Robert Jamerson marks the fourth library this year to return to the TLC family, and we look forward to supporting them for many more years to come.”

JRJML’s enriched catalog can be viewed at pac.jrjml.org. For more information on Library•Solution, please visit TLCdelivers.com or speak to a representative at sales@tlcdelivers.com.