WATERLOO, Ontario ¯ September 10, 2002 ¯ epixtech President and CEO Jack Blount joined city officials and library trustees at Winnipeg Public Library August 13 for a highly publicized contract signing ceremony signifying the library's migration from its Dynix automation system to epixtech's next generation Horizon Sunrise system. A Dynix customer since 1989, the library announced that its migration to Horizon Sunrise will include the immediate installation of several complimentary epixtech products, including iPac, TeleCirc II, PC Reliance, and Resource Sharing System interlibrary loan software.
“We value our relationship with Winnipeg Public Library and are proud to serve such a forward-thinking library. Winnipeg's patrons will be well served by a number of new services made possible by epixtech products,” Blount said. “The implementation of Horizon Sunrise and our patron empowerment products will dramatically expand access to information resources and further enhance Winnipeg Public Library's reputation as a pre-eminent information hub and focal point for the community.”
With more than 3 million patron visits per year, the 20-branch library system receives more visitors than Winnipeg Zoo, professional sporting events, and Winnipeg concert, ballet, symphony, and theater performances combined. Winnipeg Public Library has received two Canadian Library Association awards since 2000, one for its Read Aloud literacy program and one in recognition of innovative Web site development. The library is undertaking a $17 million renovation and expansion project that will overhaul Centennial Library, its main branch, starting in 2003. The installation of Horizon Sunrise and other epixtech solutions is part of the library's plan to expand its award-winning patron services far into the future.
“We are excited about our new agreement with epixtech,” said Rick Walker, manager of library services. “For more than ten years, epixtech has provided exceptional service to our users and excellent support to our staff. We look forward to the flexibility of the Horizon Sunrise system and the enhanced patron services that epixtech products will help us provide.”
For example, the installation of epixtech's iPac Web-based catalog will offer patrons 24-hour access to the library's collection of 1.6 million items. iPac provides users with a graphical interface and intuitive Internet-based functionality. The library will also install TeleCirc II, a telephone messaging system that uses advanced telephony and speech technology to provide patrons with state-of-the-art circulation request services. TeleCirc II saves libraries time and money by automatically generating and delivering overdue notices and other information to patrons.
Winnipeg will implement epixtech's Resource Sharing System to request, retrieve, and track materials borrowed from other library systems. Patrons will enjoy increased access to external resources and faster processing times for interlibrary loan transactions. Patrons will also benefit from uninterrupted service with PC Reliance circulation backup if the library's network is ever unavailable.
About epixtech
With more than 10,000 customers in 42 countries, epixtech is the world's leading provider of automation technologies, solutions, and services for libraries. Their award-winning library automation systems, including Dynix, NOTIS, and Horizon Sunrise, are installed in more sites than any other library automation vendor. epixtech's industry-leading access products for patron self-services and interlibrary loan, as well as new Web-based solutions, are also used by libraries around the world. epixtech, formerly Ameritech Library Services, became a private corporation in December of 1999. epixtech library automation services meet the needs of academic, research, public, corporate, consortia, and K-12 school libraries. Headquartered in Utah, epixtech has offices in Evanston, Illinois; Waterloo, Ontario; as well as in Australia, France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Taiwan. epixtech headquarters are located at 400 W. 5050 N., Provo, UT 84604. The company's Web page is found at www.epixtech.com
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