CHERRY HILL, N.J., November 9, 2006 – The Cherry Hill Public Library and SirsiDynix, the global leader in strategic technology solutions for libraries, have gone live with a new Web site using Enterprise Portal Solution (EPS)/Rooms. After opening a state-of-the-art building in December 2004, the Cherry Hill Library wanted to complement its offline capabilities with 21st-century high-quality online services.
EPS/Rooms provides a single interface to all the high-quality information within the library's collection, databases and web resources. Rooms is a content management portal that presents information in virtual rooms, arranged according to popular subject areas with relevant, current information and links in each room. The portal also features enhanced searching capabilities by consolidating the library catalog, library databases and the Internet into one simple search. Patrons also use EPS to access their personal library accounts to renew books and place holds on materials.
The enhanced Web site, www.chplnj.org, completed after more than three years of planning and development, also marks the Cherry Hill Public Library as the first in the United States to go live with the Digital Community Center product, located under the "Around Cherry Hill" link. This area of the site links residents and visitors to hundreds of regional resources relevant to the Cherry Hill community.
"Residents may now visit the Library's Web site to not only locate books and services more quickly and easily, but also to access a wealth of community information," said Manny Paredes, director of the Cherry Hill Public Library. "The SirsiDynix technology allows us to better serve our patrons and the community."
Angus Carroll, SirsiDynix chief marketing officer, said, "SirsiDynix's vision involves partnering with our clients to create a future in which libraries play a more strategic role within their communities. By making sense of the vast world of information, libraries bring knowledge in all its forms to real people to meet real needs. Cherry Hill Public Library is a perfect illustration of a library doing just that. Using leading-edge portal technologies like EPS and Rooms, Cherry Hill is making its resources and services more accessible and relevant to people in the community – delivering knowledge where, when and how they need it."
About SirsiDynix
SirsiDynix is the global leader in strategic technology solutions for libraries – vital institutions whose primary mission is to make sense of the vast world of information for people and communities. This is an exciting role as libraries assist people in discovering and using knowledge, resources and other valuable content for their educations, jobs and entertainment. In concert with key industry partners, SirsiDynix supports this strategic role for libraries by offering a comprehensive integrated suite of technology solutions for improving the internal productivity of libraries and enhancing their capabilities for meeting the needs of people and communities. SirsiDynix has approximately 4,000 library and consortia clients, serving more than 300 million people through more than 20,000 library outlets in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. For more information, please see www.sirsidynix.com.
About Cherry Hill Public Library
The Cherry Hill Public Library is a beautifully designed, state-of-the-art facility serving Cherry Hill Township, a 24 square-mile municipality minutes from Philadelphia and home to nearly 70,000 residents. Cherry Hill's new 72,000 square-foot facility (opened on Dec. 21, 2004) features more than 144,000 book volumes, 7,000 videos and DVDs, 7,000 CDs and cassettes, 30,000 reference materials and 500 periodical subscriptions. The library is also home to 100 public-access computers, including a 20-seat computer lab, Wi-Fi Technology throughout the building, audio books, large print books, online databases, quiet study rooms, fireplace reading areas, a teen area and a gift shop. The new facility also features an expanded Children's Library, Art Gallery, Local History and Multicultural Rooms, community meeting room space and a café with outdoor patio. The Cherry Hill Library proves to be more than just books – it's the destination for community activity!
