Guilderland Library Notes for Wednesday, March 18, 2015

In a couple of weeks, the way you access your Guilderland Public Library catalog and account will be easier, more friendly, and more responsive than the system you’re currently using. The new system is called Encore, and it goes live on March 31.

Encore is just one part of Sierra, a major library system that the library, as well as every other library in the Upper Hudson Library System, including the Bethlehem and Voorheesville public libraries is implementing. Along with giving you a much-improved user experience, it vastly improves library back-office operations, including materials ordering, cataloging, and associated tasks.

For you, though, Encore functions as a search engine, encompassing every collection in the library and in the Upper Hudson Library System. The new catalog offers a more intuitive search experience closer to what you’ve come to expect from Google and Amazon.

Type what you are looking for in the search box, and click GO. Encore will return a list of related items. You can use the “Refine by” options to narrow what you are looking for by format, subject, or library.

Your search will cover every library collection:  books, audio books and music, videos, digital audio books, and ebooks; digital archives such as (manuscripts, photos and sound recordings); government documents, recent obituaries, and more.

But, right now, we need your help: You need to save your “My List” information. To do this, please access your account, and save your “My List” by using the link at the bottom of the “My List” screen.  When “Encore” goes live, you’ll be able to enter your information into the new system.

As with any other major change, there may be a glitch or two. So we ask you to please bear with us as we transition to this new system. We may need to re-verify information on your account.

Watch your local library’s website — Guilderland: www.guilpl.org; Bethlehem: http://www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org; and Voorheesville: http://www.voorheesvillelibrary.org  — for more information on this new feature that will vastly improve your library experience.

Photo Forum

The French-American photographer Lionel DeLevingne, who has been documenting the anti-nuclear movement since the early 1970s, will discuss his work at the library’s Photo Forum tonight, March 19, at 7 p.m.

His work as a photojournalist, specifically as documented in his book “To the Village: From Montague to Fukushima,” has earned him wide acclaim. Many of his iconic works are now on display in the Helderberg Room.

The Photo Forum is an open arena in which area photographers gather to discuss work they are doing and to share information about how to improve their work.

Spring Back

into Organization

Spring is just about here, and with it comes time to unclutter and get organized. Find out how when you come to GPL on Monday, March 23, at 5:30 p.m., for a CDPHP sponsored program, “Spring Back into Organization! with Professional Organizer Jordana Turcotte.”

Come and learn a simple system of purging and organizing large storage areas, such as the basement, garage, and even the great outdoors. Get tips on how to let go of unneeded items and clear your clutter — a good step for both your mental and physical health.

Registration is required. Please call 456-2400, ext. 2, or sign up online. 

Library info

 The Guilderland Public Library is located at 2228 Western Ave. in Guilderland. Visit the library's website at www.guilpl.org. for more information and to register online. Check out the unofficial library updates at facebook.com/Guilderland.Library and follow the library on Twitter (@GuilderlandLib).