POMONA, CA. - September 9, 2008 -- Auto-Graphics, Inc. (OTCBB: AUGR) (Pink Sheets: AUGR), a technology innovator providing library automation solutions for over 36 years, has announced further advancement in the Library 2.0 movement with the introduction of Lib2Home, a preference tracking and alerting system within the AGent VERSO integrated library system (ILS) that can be used by libraries to implement home delivery programs, a nationwide trend that allows libraries to improve and simplify the materials holding and transfer process and provides patrons with access to library materials without needing to leave home.
"At the North Central Regional Library, our patrons love the convenience of our Mail Order Library Service," said Dan Howard, director of public services at the Washington state library. "All of the residents in our 15,000 square mile library district can use this service. For almost 40 years now, we've used the Mail Order Library to extend the library's reach to folks living in the vast expanses between towns."
According to the Moving Mountain's Project (www.clicweb.org/movingmountains), a clearinghouse of resources on the physical delivery of materials, 43 of the 50 U.S. States and the District of Columbia have all established either a statewide or localized courier service to transport materials between libraries or from libraries to patron residences. AGent VERSO's Lib2Home addresses that growing trend toward home delivery, which reduces the need for new branch locations and additional management staff for the library. Lib2Home also serves the needs of today's busy, homebound and cost-conscious patrons trying to limit their driving to counterbalance continually increasing gas prices.
Lib2Home allows patrons to setup searches within their online profiles based on preferred titles, subjects and/or authors. The system utilizes AGent VERSO's new Active Alerts functionality, which triggers email alerts to library staff and patrons when new library content matches pre-set search criteria. If specified for delivery, librarians will then use the Lib2Home system to manage the check-out and delivery process of new materials based on library policy. Alternately, patrons receiving Active Alerts will be linked to their account through AGent VERSO in order to check-out new materials for pick up at a local branch.
"We're working hard to make Library 2.0 a reality," said Paul Cope, president of Auto-Graphics. "By keeping a finger on the pulse of the industry, we hope to continue as front-runners in providing pragmatic solutions to meet the needs of today's innovators within the library community."
About Auto-Graphics, Inc.
Founded in 1950, Auto-Graphics has been a technology innovator for more than five decades, providing data automation solutions to customers across multiple industries. For over 36 years, Auto-Graphics has helped libraries of all sizes become more efficient and patron-centric. Its flagship solution, AGent, is the most comprehensive library automation platform available today, allowing libraries of any size to manage, share and search their resources. The AGent integrated product suite - currently used by more than 6,000 libraries in North America - is comprised of AGent VERSO a complete integrated library system; AGent Resource Sharing a robust interlibrary loan and consortial borrowing solution; and AGent Search a powerful federated search application. For more information, please visit www.auto-graphics.com.
