Library Technology Guides

Join the Polaris 8.0 Webinar: January 15. Discover what's new in Polaris 8.0 in an upcoming live webinar on January 15 at 1:00 pm ET. This session will walk attendees through the latest enhancements introduced in the December 2025 release, designed to streamline administration, improve workflows, and enhance the overall system experience. [Full Announcement].

Polaris in 2025. In 2025, Polaris delivered a strong set of enhancements designed to support the evolving needs of public libraries. With expanded web-based administration, smarter workflows, and improved operational visibility, this year's updates reflect a continued commitment to making library systems easier to manage and more responsive to how libraries work today. With the most recent Polaris release, libraries can now manage key staff and administrative workflows entirely through a browser – removing dependence on desktop tools and giving teams more flexibility in how they work. These updates build on Polaris's long-standing strengths while continuing to modernize the platform based on library feedback and real-world use. [Full Announcement].

Polaris 8.0: A more flexible, web-managed Polaris for your library. Innovative, from Clarivate announced that a new version of Polaris is available. This release completes the initiative to bring all System Administration settings into a secure, web-based interface and adds powerful new features to support administration, technical services, and library workflows. [Full Announcement].

Sierra December Webinar Recap. Sierra continues to evolve in ways that make library operations faster, more intuitive, and more accessible. The release of Sierra 6.5, combined with recent updates shared during our customer webinar, introduces new efficiencies for circulation workflows, improvements for multi-branch systems, and strengthened accessibility features. Below is a consolidated overview of what's new and what's ahead. [Full Announcement].

Powering modern library service: Tipton County Public Library is live on Polaris and Vega Discover. Innovative, from Clarivate, announced that as part of our commitment to delivering best-in-class library technology and patron experience, the company has partnered with the Tipton County Public Library, Indiana to implement a comprehensive upgrade across their services. This rollout encompasses Polaris, the powerful Vega Discover catalog and Vega Interact SMS. Together, these systems will streamline library operations, modernize the patron interface, and create stronger, more meaningful connections with the community. [Full Announcement].

From first click to lasting loyalty: email marketing that builds relationships. What if email wasn't “one more channel to manage,” but a powerful way to extend your library's reach? That idea shaped the webinar From First Click to Lasting Loyalty: Effective Email Marketing Strategies for Libraries, hosted by Innovative from Clarivate and presented by library marketing consultant Cordelia Anderson. [Full Announcement].

Celebrating 20 years of MeLCat: A model for library collaboration across Michigan. Librarians from across Michigan joined leaders from the Library of Michigan, the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, and Clarivate in Lansing to celebrate 20 years of MeLCat, the Michigan eLibrary Catalog powered by Innovative from Clarivate's INN-Reach resource sharing technology. [Full Announcement].

Vega Promote's new release gives libraries cleaner data, and smarter patron segmentation. Innovative introduced new Vega Promote enhancements designed to help libraries better understand their communities, maintain clean and compliant data, and foster meaningful connections with patrons. Whether you want cleaner records, safer targeting, or dynamic segments that are updated automatically, these enhancements are built to support your evolving marketing needs with advanced segmentation, audience, and privacy features. [Full Announcement].

Make Giving Tuesday your library's easiest fundraiser yet. Innovative, from Clarivate, is helping public libraries maximize their Giving Tuesday impact with Vega Donate, a simple, customizable solution for managing online contributions. Designed specifically for libraries, Vega Donate lets staff create branded donation forms and web pages in minutes – no coding required. [Full Announcement].

Dauphin County Library System elevates patron experience with Vega Discover. Innovative, from Clarivate announced that The Dauphin County Library System, headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has gone live with their new online catalog. The Dauphin County Library System launched its new online catalog powered by Vega Discover in November, a modern discovery platform designed to make exploring the library's collection easier and more engaging than ever. [Full Announcement].

Smarter public libraries: security, accessibility and personalization at the core. Public libraries are evolving rapidly and today's patrons expect more than just access to books. They want secure, inclusive and personalized experiences. The new whitepaper ‘Seamless service, delighted patrons' explores how two leading public libraries — the Allen County Public Library and the Suburban Library Cooperative — are achieving just that. [Full Announcement].

From transactions to relationships: how Polaris strengthens patron trust. In an era where technology mediates nearly every interaction, trust has become both fragile and essential. For libraries, institutions built on openness and service, earning that relationship of confidence requires more than reliable systems. Polaris has long recognized that assurance begins with listening. In its 7.8 release, over 90% of updates were directly informed by librarian feedback, a testament to the platform's commitment to community-driven innovation. Through initiatives like the Idea Exchange and the Member Exclusive Enhancement Process, libraries actively shape the future of Polaris. In 2024 alone, 180 features were implemented based on user-submitted ideas, and 500 development points were allocated from MEEP voting. This transparent, participatory model ensures that Polaris evolves in alignment with the real-world needs of library professionals. [Full Announcement].

IUG 2026 Conference Opens Registration, Invites Library Professionals to Chicago. he Innovative Users Group has officially opened registration for its 2026 Annual User Group Conference, set to take place in Chicago this spring. The event offers library professionals a unique opportunity to connect with Innovative experts, exchange ideas with peers from around the world, and explore emerging trends shaping the future of library technology. [Full Announcement].

A modern digital experience: Clermont County Public Library launches Vega WebBuilder. Innovative, from Clarivate, shared that Clermont County Public Library has joined the growing Vega WebBuilder community, bringing a modern, user-friendly website experience to its patrons and staff. [Full Announcement].

Lake Bluff Public Library launches Vega Discover to enhance patron experience. Innovative, from Clarivate announced that Lake Bluff Public Library, Illinois is now live with its new online catalog powered by Vega Discover. Vega Discover reimagines how patrons connect with library materials, bringing together books, e-resources, and media into a single, intuitive interface. With personalized recommendations, modern design, and seamless navigation, Vega Discover helps patrons find exactly what they're looking for, while uncovering new favorites along the way. [Full Announcement].

Level up your library app: Exploring Vega Mobile's newest features. From smarter performance optimizations to redesigned tools and a renewed focus on customization, “Exploring the Latest Features of Vega Mobile” a November webinar session, showcased how Vega Mobile continues to evolve to meet the needs of today's libraries. [Full Announcement].

Webinar: From first click to lasting loyalty: November 12. Innovative, from Clarivate, invites you to join Cordelia Anderson, PRSA-Accredited library marketing consultant and author of Library Marketing and Communications, for an engaging webinar on transforming your library's emails into powerful engagement tools. Learn how to move beyond awareness and create messages that inspire action, build trust, and foster lasting loyalty among your patrons. [Full Announcement].

Driving engagement, building community: Innovative, from Clarivate to attend LMCC. Innovative, from Clarivate, is sponsoring the Library Marketing & Communications Conference for the third consecutive year, taking place November 11th -13th at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. This marks a significant opportunity for library professionals, consortia, and stakeholders to engage with our expert team, explore smart library solutions we offer, and share insights around the evolving role of libraries in a digital-first world. Our presence at the LMCC underscores Clarivate's deep commitment to supporting libraries through library-centered services, advanced analytics, and thoughtful collaboration. [Full Announcement].

Rochester Hills Public Library unified its systems in just two months. For many public libraries, juggling fragmented systems is more than an IT issue, it's a barrier to providing seamless patron experiences. Rochester Hills Public Library in Michigan recently showed what's possible when those silos disappear. By moving to Vega LX ecosystem, they streamlined operations and unlocked new ways to engage their community, proving that transformation doesn't have to take years. [Full Announcement].

Vega Discover October 2025 release: 16 enhancements, 779 votes, one powerful update. At Innovative, from Clarivate, announced the October 7–8, 2025, release of Vega Discover, shaped directly by 779 Idea Exchange votes and closing 16 enhancement requests. This release is packed with meaningful improvements that elevate the discovery experience for both library staff and patrons. [Full Announcement].