Syracuse, NY (September 2000). Gaylord Information Systems (GIS) today announced that Cheryl Crosby has joined the organization as the new Polaris Account Manager for the Northeast United States.
Katherine Blauer, GIS President, said that Crosby's diverse background uniquely positions her as a resource for medium to large public libraries and mixed-type consortia in the North East. "Cheryl is a highly accomplished, highly motivated individual. Her 11 plus years experience with electronic publishing and her knowledge of high technology will allow her to work with libraries at many different levels, to explain and define the types of technologies that will best meet their staff and patron needs."
Prior to joining GIS, Crosby served as an Account Executive for TechBooks, Inc. in Fairfax, Virginia. While with TechBooks, she developed electronic publishing solutions for a number of large corporations, such as John Wiley & Sons (College Division), General Electric, Deutsche Bank, Baker & Taylor, and Ovid.
Crosby said, "My work with Internet services, commercial publishers, Internet providers, academic institutions, and corporations allowed me to help large businesses exploit new technologies like XML and advanced data conversion services. I see a parallel in the library community. Libraries are in a much more competitive arena today – they are fighting for the same finite resources that information-based businesses are – the public's patronage." She added, "With Polaris, GIS' third generation library automation system, GIS understands what it takes to keep public libraries relevant and ahead of the technology curve - and I'm excited to be a part of that."
Crosby held previous sales and research positions with Chadwyck-Healey, Inc. of Alexandria, Virginia, and Polaroid Corporation of Arlington, Virginia. She received a Bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and earned a Masters of Arts degree at the University Michigan, Ann Arbor.
In her new role at GIS, Crosby will work with libraries, exploring ways to exploit the new Web-based technologies on which the Polaris Integrated Library System is built. Crosby said, "Polaris is a product I feel comfortable building my career on. It's an incredibly powerful system that truly reflects the changing technology landscape. And it's a logical next step for public libraries to take. GIS strategically placed Polaris in the public library and mixed consortia market for a very specific reason – the system was designed to meet the unique and rapidly changing requirements of the public library patron." Cheryl can be reached at crosby@gaylord.com or by phone at 1-800-821-0101.
Polaris is a non-modular, native-Windows NT library automation solution. The system offers complete access to integrated cataloging, serials, acquisitions, circulation, patron/student services, and system administration functionality. Polaris provides a Web-based OPAC and a Windows 9x, 2000, or NT Workstation-based staff services client. Polaris is currently installed in more than 160 libraries, easily supporting libraries with more than 350 concurrent users in high-transaction environments.
GIS is a Microsoft Certified Solutions Provider and the 25 year-old software development division of Gaylord Bros., a leading supplier to the library industry for over a century. In addition to its library automation systems, GIS offers workflow analysis, retrospective conversion, and database enhancement services to libraries of all types. For more information, visit or contact GIS headquarters at 800-272-3414.
