CARL Corporation is releasing a new version of CARLweb that features a wide range of capabilities to make your library more powerful and convenient for your patrons no matter where they are. CARLweb 3.0 will be rolled out in the first quarter of 1999, and will build on the success of the previous version (see @CARL–http://www.carl.org/news/atcarl/ atcarl5.html) by further enriching the information retrieval process for patrons while providing library staff the flexibility to design a web PAC that reflects local strengths.
Some of the new features include:
- More patron self services
Patrons' ability to place online holds for materials, including batch holds, has been expanded–users can now cancel holds or view their place in the holds queue for an item by checking their personal account online. Additionally, users can easily renew checked-out items online. These patron-initiated services allow your library to offer an alternative option for users to manage their borrowing needs and make your library more efficient.
- Branch highlighting, scoping, and sorting
Users can narrow their search results by asking to see only the items that are available at a certain branch of the library system. A library can set CARLweb to highlight materials owned by or available at a particular branch, and branch names can be linked to branch location, phone number, maps, photos, tours, programs, hours, etc. Branch highlighting helps guide your patrons to the materials that are most readily available and also helps your library market local collections.
- Reserves display
A student can search for materials that have been set aside for a specific course or professor.
- Basic CARLweb search interface with link to advanced CARLweb
A scaled down version of CARLweb can be offered for young users and patrons whose second language is English. This allows your library to provide unmediated searching for novice users as well as more experienced patrons.
- Complete multilingual support (Unicode based)
CARLweb's multilingual interface allows libraries to display all information from interface elements such as button labels to search results to patron account information in any language.
- Full integration with multimedia collections including the ability to display thumbnails of digitized photos
See the article on photoimaging at Denver Public Library for the latest in CARLweb's digital collection integration. CARLweb 3.0 offers more patron self services such as the ability to renew checked-out items online as well as viewing a userVs place in the holds queue for an item. (Click on image for full size)
Branch scoping is available in this version of CARLweb.
Please stop by the CARL booth at ALA Midwinter in Philadelphia (Booth #1806) if you would like to see the exciting developments with CARLweb 3.0 firsthand. If you will not be able to attend ALA, please keep an eye on our Web site (http://www.carl.org) where we will be posting new information about CARLweb.
