Seton Hill University (SHU) recently introduced its latest advance into the technological, 21st century: Polaris. New programming will enable students to interact with the library on a creative, user-friendly basis that matches the sophisticated advances of today.

“This is a different vendor for the library system,” said librarian Dana Krydick. “It’s very hands-on and simple, not only for the students but for the staff.”

Upon entering the new Polaris website, students can now view cover images, choice reviews and availability of books. Similar to public libraries, the layout of the system is now cleaner and has more options to narrow searches.

Students now have the ability to submit questions or concerns to librarians.
The new format also provides a way to send the book information to the user’s cell phone from one location, allowing them to access the info on the go. There is also a mobile version of the system to access from said cell phones.

Perhaps the most impressive component of Polaris is its partnership with Hybrid Forge to compose an application for student use on their iPads.

“We knew we wanted to integrate the iPad into student research…we believe it was extremely important that the library system we selected provide an app for the iPad,” said Krydick in a press release.

While the app is not currently available, design and production should be completed within the next month and ready for release.

“Polaris creates a system that outlives its original technology and hardware to keep pace with new developments,” Krydick continued in a press release. “It allows for a more robust work flow that stimulates how libraries actually process materials.”

According to Krydick, the library staff and work-study students also find the new system to work for their benefit. Cataloging and organizing are now easier tasks with the format.

Instead of transferring old records of students and their log-in information, causing chaos in the new memory, Polaris has allowed them to start fresh and transfer everything new from the registrar’s office.

“Right now when you visit the site you can see the Polaris mainframe. But we plan on adding logos for Seton Hill and, in essence, make this our own personal website for easy student use,” said Krydick.

The library staff will soon be issuing campus-wide emails with new log-in information and news on the app completion.

This integrated system is another one of SHU’s attempts to move the university into a new technological era, following their disbursement of Apple products to full-time students and staff.

Seton Hill University (SHU) recently introduced its latest advance into the technological, 21st century: Polaris. New programming will enable students to interact with the library on a creative, user-friendly basis that matches the sophisticated advances of today.

“This is a different vendor for the library system,” said librarian Dana Krydick. “It’s very hands-on and simple, not only for the students but for the staff.”

Upon entering the new Polaris website, students can now view cover images, choice reviews and availability of books. Similar to public libraries, the layout of the system is now cleaner and has more options to narrow searches.

Students now have the ability to submit questions or concerns to librarians.
The new format also provides a way to send the book information to the user’s cell phone from one location, allowing them to access the info on the go. There is also a mobile version of the system to access from said cell phones.

Perhaps the most impressive component of Polaris is its partnership with Hybrid Forge to compose an application for student use on their iPads.

“We knew we wanted to integrate the iPad into student research…we believe it was extremely important that the library system we selected provide an app for the iPad,” said Krydick in a press release.

While the app is not currently available, design and production should be completed within the next month and ready for release.

“Polaris creates a system that outlives its original technology and hardware to keep pace with new developments,” Krydick continued in a press release. “It allows for a more robust work flow that stimulates how libraries actually process materials.”

According to Krydick, the library staff and work-study students also find the new system to work for their benefit. Cataloging and organizing are now easier tasks with the format.

Instead of transferring old records of students and their log-in information, causing chaos in the new memory, Polaris has allowed them to start fresh and transfer everything new from the registrar’s office.

“Right now when you visit the site you can see the Polaris mainframe. But we plan on adding logos for Seton Hill and, in essence, make this our own personal website for easy student use,” said Krydick.

The library staff will soon be issuing campus-wide emails with new log-in information and news on the app completion.

This integrated system is another one of SHU’s attempts to move the university into a new technological era, following their disbursement of Apple products to full-time students and staff.