The joint ILS features several technical benefits that cut administrative tasks for school librarians so they can spend more time with students. Moreover, MNPS’ old catalog was disorganized and didn’t meet schools’ needs. The joint ILS gives students and school librarians a better experience. Also, students can now borrow and return seamlessly at both their school libraries and the public library. Finally, the joint ILS has improved reporting features, which allows for better data collection.

First, we built a team of NPL and MNPS stakeholders to choose the new joint ILS vendor. Then, NPL hired a shared systems team to support MNPS during and after the transition. We held twice-monthly meetings between NPL and MNPS. The shared systems team set up a ticketing system to address needs and issues within 24 hours. Finally, NPL’s shared systems team manages the joint ILS.

NPL realized this joint ILS is the first of its type with this vendor. NPL was faced with the challenge to work with the vendor to make improvements. NPL has treated this as an opportunity. As a result of NPL’s work, data entry and record keeping are improved, bringing us closer to our ultimate goal of centralizing all cataloging with NPL. Reporting is also improved, enabling NPL to provide schools with information in 24 hours.