A new library circulation system implemented over the summer months has made TIS' primary and secondary libraries much more user-friendly. The change-over involved weeks of bar-coding thousands of books and other resources, but the hard work has paid off in a big way.
Not only is the new software program compatible with the school's Mac computers (unlike the previous system), it's also web-based, so teachers don't have to be in the library to actually use the system. They can access information from their classrooms, at home or anywhere. That option will also be available to TIS students in the very near future. One of the most important benefits, however, is the system's search capability which makes the retrieval of information a snap for even the youngest students. A topic search using the new system will reveal every available resource in the TIS libraries. The program also provides links to approved websites where students can find additional information about their topic. Thanks to the new system, school librarian Ms Doucette has seen a dramatic increase in the number of students who now use the libraries on a regular basis. "My biggest problem is emptying the library at 4 p.m. Isn't that a nice problem to have?"
