Library system upgrade progress
From 28 Feb to 18 March, we will need to transfer our data to our new system.
After more than 20 years, we are upgrading our computer catalogue to an entirely different cloud-based system supplied by another vendor.
From 28 Feb, we will start by copying over our catalogue records.
If you want to keep saved lists or searches, it is important that you re-save them by 12 March. (Read more about how to keep these lists or searches). Your loan history will transfer over, you don’t need to save or print this.
On 13 March we will move to limited circulation services while our circulation files are copied. You will be able to borrow and return items. You will also be able to check whether we hold an item, and see a “snapshot” view of the catalogue and your customer account on our website or WCL mini, but it won’t be updated in real time. This means, for example, if you return a book on the 15 March, it will still show as on loan to you until we are fully converted to the new database on the 19 March. The loan will have registered, but just not updated in this temporary ‘frozen’ version of our system. You will also not be able to edit your account (for example, update your telephone number).
In addition, we can’t accept new reserves for physical items from 13-18 March. Reserves which are already available for pickup can be borrowed, and existing reserves will take a little longer to be processed across this period. Existing waiting lists will transfer to the new system.
From 13-18 March you will not be able to make a payment connected with our lending service (such as a DVD issue fee, or paying for a lost book). You can still borrow the DVD or magazine, and the issues fee will be loaded automatically into your account on the 19th March when the new system is up and running. You will be able to make payments which aren't related to our lending policies - such as paying for 20 photocopies, or to purchase a withdrawn book.
We thank you for your patience as we undertake this major update.
Our eLibrary and website are still fully available across this time period, and you can continue to make Suggestions to Buy, interloans and NZ collection requests as usual.
After 19 March, all our services will return to business as usual, and the catalogue and your customer account will be up to date.
We are looking forward to the new system being in place. It has a clearer customer account dashboard, and more options to display new books easily on the catalogue home page.
If you need help with these steps, please speak with staff in your local branch, or email enquiries@wcl.govt.nz