Library Technology Guides

3M completes sale of Its Global Library Systems Business. 3M today announced that it has completed the sale of assets for the majority of its remaining global Library Systems business outside of North America to a fund advised by One Equity Partners Capital Advisors. 3M announced earlier that it had completed the sale of assets of its North American Library Systems business to OEP. [Full Announcement].

3M completes Sale of North American Library Systems Business. 3M announced that it has completed the sale of assets of its North American Library Systems business to One Equity Partners Capital Advisors. 3M also announced that it has entered into agreements for OEP to purchase the assets of its remaining global Library Systems business.The business posted global sales over the last 12 months of approximately $100 million. [Full Announcement].

New integration between self-checkout and eContent puts a Library's entire collection at the reader's fingertips. Most book-lovers don't care whether they get content via print, eBook or eAudio--they just want to enjoy it; and libraries want to make it easy. 3M Library Systems is always working to make the connections between print and digital collections more seamless. Now, the company is unveiling a new integration between the 3M SelfCheck QuickConnect Interface and the 3M Cloud Library that will offer a new, easy way for patrons discover and borrow digital content. [Full Announcement].

Library patrons see more to read, love and do with 3M SelfCheck QuickConnect interface. The QuickConnect Interface gives libraries tools to increase circulation, promote events, and enhance the user experience—all with a sleek interface that helps users do more with fewer steps. Available in more than 50 languages, including French Canadian, the interface streamlines the self-checkout process, helps libraries easily promote their events, and also drives reader discovery and circulation with a Recommended Reads feature. [Full Announcement].

3M Cloud Library enhances discoverability for readers and releases new tools for librarians. As digital offerings grow in popularity for libraries, patrons need easy-to-use tools that help them take advantage of the world of eBooks. 3M Library Systems has been leading the way in creating these tools since the launch of the 3M Cloud Library, and at Book Expo America, May 27-29 at the Javits Center in New York City, it will showcase the latest improvement to the system--a redesigned web patron that makes it simpler for users to browse their library’s 3M Cloud Library collection. For librarians, 3M added the ability to reclassify the age range for books. [Full Announcement].

collectionHQ and 3M Announce Partnership. collectionHQ, the world’s leading collection performance improvement solution and 3M, the global leader in library innovation, are pleased to announce their eagerly-anticipated partnership which will offer 3M Cloud Library subscribers the ability to load their circulation data into collectionHQ’s ebook module. [Full Announcement].

New digital lending option for Public Libraries 3M Cloud Library launches in UK and Australia. 3M Library Systems announced that it will expand its 3M Cloud Library Digital Lending System to libraries in the UK and Australia. Borrowers in these countries will benefit from 3M’s entry into the market as it boosts public libraries’ options to meet the increasing demand for digital content. [Full Announcement].

3M announces enhanced integration with SirsiDynix ILS. As part of its ongoing commitment to ensure library staff are able to efficiently meet the needs of their patrons, 3M Library Systems announces the completion of full integration between the new SirsiDynix Symphony 3.5 ILS and the 3M RFID Staff Workstation. [Full Announcement].

3M Library Systems investing in growth for 2015. Libraries around the country are kicking off 2015 with a bright outlook. 3M Library Systems is poised to meet the evolving demands with new product features for the 3M Cloud Library and the SelfCheck product lines that will be previewed at the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, January 30 - February 3 in Chicago, Illinois. [Full Announcement].

eAudiobooks Debut on New 3M Cloud Library App. 3M Library Systems has unveiled the latest addition to its 3M Cloud Library Digital Lending System -- eAudiobooks. Supported by the newly updated 3M Cloud Library patron app, with 500,000 downloads and counting, the eAudiobook collection currentlyincludes 40,000 titles powered by Findaway World, with content from every major publisher in the audiobook space. [Full Announcement].

3M and NOOK Create New Hardware Lending Program for Libraries. 3M Library Systems announced the addition of a new lendable eReader for its 3M Cloud Library--the NOOK GlowLight from Barnes and Noble. With this new compatibility, libraries can purchase NOOK GlowLight eReaders directly from Barnes & Noble stores for lending to patrons. The offering enables libraries to provide access to eBooks from the 3M Cloud Library catalog to patrons who do not have their own eReader, computer or smartphone. [Full Announcement].

Hennepin County Library upgrades with 3M SelfCheck QuickConnect for library patrons. All libraries in Hennepin County will soon be equipped with 3M’s latest in self-checkout technology, the 3M SelfCheck System and QuickConnect Interface. This newly updated system enhances library patrons’ self-service checkout experience by offering more options and services, all with improved speed and efficiency. There will be more than 80 new SelfCheck System kiosks installed at 41 Hennepin County Library locations over the next several months, to be completed by the end of 2014. [Full Announcement].

3M Library Systems receives Payment Application Data Security Standard Validation. 3M Library Systems sets the library industry security standard by becoming Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) validated for fines and fees collection. [Full Announcement].

3M announces integration with Comprise Smart Terminal for 3M SelfCheck QuickConnect Interface. 3M Library Systems announces the integration of Comprise Technologies' Smart Terminal Payment System with the 3M SelfCheck System, providing an additional option to libraries for self-checkout services and fines and fees collection. [Full Announcement].

3M unveils personalized library experience with next generation eLending app. 3M Library Systems will introduce a new standard for eBook and eAudiobook lending with the newest version of its popular 3M Cloud Library patron app. The new app includes innovative features allowing users to personalize how they browse for content, along with an elegant new look and feel and the most intuitive interface on the market. [Full Announcement].

3M Cloud Library: over twice the satisfaction of OverDrive. A recent 3M survey shows that libraries that use both the 3M Cloud Library and OverDrive are over twice as satisfied with the 3M Cloud Library as compared to OverDrive. The 3M Cloud Library offers outstanding ease of use for both patrons and library staff. This survey data reveals how dramatic a difference these features make in librarians' satisfaction with their eBook systems. [Full Announcement].

3M Cloud Library adds eAudiobooks. 3M Library Systems announces the launch of the newest innovation to its 3M Cloud Library Digital Lending System—eAudiobooks. Debuting with 40,000 titles powered by Findaway World, a premier provider of digital audiobook technology and delivery, the 3M Cloud Library will have an extensive collection of high quality eAudio titles. 3M will detail the new offerings at the Public Library Association (PLA) 2014 Conference, March 11-15 in Indianapolis, Ind. [Full Announcement].

3M Cloud Library Expands to Canada, Unveils New Automation Feature. 3M Library Systems announces the Canadian launch of the 3M Cloud Library eBook Lending System. Highly anticipated, this expansion makes Canada the first country outside of the U.S. to gain access to the service. Canada’s 3M Cloud Library will offer the same easy-to-use customer interface and back-end tools, and will include content from major publishers including Penguin, Random House, Hachette, Macmillan, and HarperCollins. In addition, the catalog includes hundreds of other publishers, offering readers access to thousands of titles. 3M is also currently working with House of Anansi Press, Dundern Press, ECW Press and others to bring readers content from uniquely Canadian voices. 3M has also recently released an automated buying tool, which allows librarians to purchase hold lists automatically and easily manage all expiry content. This new, fully customizable tool will help reduce the time required from library staff to manage their collections. [Full Announcement].

3M Cloud Library introduces Buy and Donate program supported by Kobo. 3M Library Systems is making the 3M Cloud Library eBook Lending System even more beneficial for participating libraries with a new “Buy and Donate” feature supported by Kobo, a global leader in eReading. The new program gives libraries the option to add a Buy and Donate button to their 3M Cloud Library website. When patrons click the button, they will be taken to the Kobo Bookstore to finalize their digital book purchases. 3M will donate a portion of sales to the library for use in purchasing additional eBooks from the 3M Cloud Library. With library budgets under constant pressure, this additional revenue stream can be a valuable way to enhance collections. [Full Announcement].

3M Cloud Library introduces new programs and features at ALA. 3M Library Systems is giving libraries a powerful incentive to sign up with the 3M Cloud Library eBook Lending System with a guaranteed satisfaction program for new customers. The terms of the program are simple: Once the new library signs up and completes the training process, 3M will purchase an opening day collection of popular titles, all of which expire within one year of purchase based on publisher terms. If at the end of the year the customer is unhappy, the titles simply expire and 3M will refund the annual platform fee. [Full Announcement].