VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – September 13, 2011 – Atlas Systems, the leading provider of time-saving solutions for libraries, has seen a significant increase in interest in the Ares E-reserves software among Canadian libraries looking to integrate multiple systems, improve workflow, and streamline requests for copyright permissions. Ares licensees in Canada include University of Guelph, University of British Columbia, Ryerson University, University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, Carleton University, and York University.
According to Alex McCulloch, Head of Circulation Services, University of Waterloo, the library's need for acquiring copyright permissions was growing, which drove their decision to find a system that would integrate copyright with reserves. "The Ares queues allow library staff to track the progress of copyright permission requests. They can easily produce reports that show how many publishers have been contacted, how many transactions there have been, and how much they are spending. Copyright information is archived in one place with the item request, which makes it easier to track when renewing requests on those same items."
Ophelia Cheung, Audio Visual & Reserve Services Librarian, Ryerson Library, said a primary appeal of Ares was the ability to use Blackboard as their portal. "Ares offers integration with our Blackboard course management system, enabling faculty, students and library staff to access e-reserves with the Blackboard interface without a separate authentication. Ares also will let us manage print and digital reserves in one system, which we weren't able to do when we tried managing reserves in Blackboard."
Daniel Boivin, Executive Director, OCLC Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, said Ares solves multiple reserves challenges for Canadian libraries. OCLC Canada serves as the distributor for Ares throughout Canada.
"Ares streamlines the reserves process, saving libraries time and money. Libraries reduce reliance on email communication with faculty and instead track interactions in one system. Instructors can clone classes and easily access usage statistics on the web. Better access to statistics helps faculty evaluate their choice of reserve materials and can lead to fewer requests for copyright permission," Boivin added.
About Atlas Systems
For more than fifteen years, Atlas Systems has been exclusively dedicated to developing software, training and consulting solutions that enable libraries to transform their user services and maximize workflow efficiency. Atlas is best known for creating the ILLiad interlibrary loan management system now distributed by OCLC and used by more than 1,100 libraries worldwide. Focused on bringing the benefits of automation to library processes that have not been addressed by other software services, Atlas has introduced Ares, an electronic reserves solution, and Aeon, an online request and workflow management system specifically designed for special collections libraries and archives. For more information, visit www.atlas-sys.com.
About OCLC Canada
OCLC Canada, based in Brossard, Quebec, serves all provinces and territories in Canada. OCLC Canada, a division of OCLC, works with more than 1,300 participating libraries. Its membership comes from academic, public, school, government and special libraries. Aside from its main office in Brossard, OCLC Canada has offices in Calgary and Winnipeg. For more information, email canada@oclc.org.
