Syracuse, NY, November 28, 2007– Polaris Library Systems, a leading provider of library automation technology, announced today that the Phoenix Public Library system and its 15 libraries have selected the Polaris Integrated Library System (ILS). The Polaris ILS will be integrated into the Library's existing infrastructure, which includes a library-developed Public Access Catalog utilizing the search engine from Endeca Technologies Inc.
The Library originally built its catalog and search engine Web site around the Endeca product in early 2007. By combining regularly updated ILS bibliographic information from Polaris with the Endeca search engine, the Library will continue to offer patrons a single source for all information, services and programs.
"Following a rigorous evaluation process, we selected the Polaris ILS to replace the previous ILS system, which had been utilized for nine years," said Toni Garvey, City Librarian and director of the Phoenix Public Library. "The combination of the Endeca product and the Polaris ILS will enhance our current retail approach by providing easy access to all materials and information resources while cross-marketing library programming and services."
During product testing, the Polaris server network demonstrated the capacity to handle the Library's five-year projected growth in circulation. The Phoenix Public Library system currently handles nearly 15 million transactions annually, which is likely to rise to 25 million within five years. The Polaris software exceeded the requirements by testing at a capacity level of 45 million annual circulation transactions.
In addition, testing showed the Polaris ILS could support and provide redundancy and fail-over clustering, or seamless access to the backup server in case of technical emergencies.
"Polaris is proud to partner with the Phoenix Public Library," said William Schickling, president and CEO of Polaris Library Systems. "The fully-integrated technology that the Phoenix Public Library system has assembled will provide patrons with greater access to a wide range of add-on features, services and product offerings."
About Phoenix Public Library
The Phoenix Public Library system consists of 14 branch libraries and the Burton Barr Central Library, which also houses technical services operations and administrative offices. The Library is the Library Department of the City of Phoenix and is governed by the Mayor and Council of the City of Phoenix with an advisory board. Over 4.3 million people visit the 15 libraries annually. For more information about Polaris Library Systems, visit http://www.www.phxlib.org/.
About Polaris Library Systems
From its beginnings thirty years ago, Polaris Library Systems has served libraries with time-saving technology, from its first circulation system in the mid-1970s through its third-generation Polaris Integrated Library System. In addition to its library automation systems, Polaris Library Systems offers workflow analysis, database enhancement, wireless access and network services to libraries. For more information about Polaris Library Systems, visit http://www.polarislibrary.com/.