The new Access PA database is here!
Through mid-August, the collections of over 230 libraries have been added to the new Access PA database and the number of ILL requests filled in July 2015 has already surpassed those filled via VDX in July of last year! This is due in large part to the currency of the over 13 million holdings attached to nearly 5 million bibliographic records. And these numbers are growing every day! A big “Thank you!” is extended to the Fab Five libraries/systems that contributed their holdings to populate the new SHAREit catalog: Penn State University, Chester County Library System, Dauphin County Library System, Delaware County Library System, and Lackawanna County Library System.
If you have not visited the new Access PA database, I encourage you to check it out!
There’s still a long way to go!
Due to the large number of collections (from over 2,500 libraries) the complete conversion of Access PA will continue over the rest of 2015. Work continues to configure system parameters, add and update library accounts, import records, train staff, and respond to lots of questions.
Phase One to implement the new Access PA database included 13 training sessions during the spring that saw nearly 700 library staff trained on the SHAREit system. To provide ample opportunities for everyone to obtain training, webinars have also been conducted online throughout the summer. Please visit the webinar registration page for information about available dates and times. Additionally, informal “drop in” sessions are being conducted online where already trained staff can ask questions about the new system. Read the Access PA News for the latest “drop in” session schedule. HSLC staff is also at work preparing self-paced training videos, which will be available this fall.
Due to the timing of the rollout, Phase One focused on public and academic libraries and the development of the standalone system for the state correctional institutions. Additionally, vendors were provided with procedures for vendor adds, which are the bibliographic records contributed by vendors on behalf of libraries subscribing to those records.
Get ready for fall!
Phase Two officially begins after Labor Day and will be the opportunity for the school library community to ramp up for SHAREit. Fall in-person training will resume in late September with 11 available training sessions. Please visit the fall training registration page for the available dates and locations. Registration will be open to all librarians, but this will be an opportunity for school librarians to receive training they may have missed in the spring. Training will cover both Access PA and POWER Library e-resource topics. By the end of 2015 we will fully decommission the current INN-Reach Access PA systems so we encourage you to attend training and export your collection to the new system. Is your library ready to get started with the new database? Here are the first steps in the process.
It’s been a busy year and we thank you for your continued patience as we work through this important implementation; early feedback about the SHAREit system has been very positive! As always please do not hesitate to email your questions, comments or suggestions to HSLC Support.
This project is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, Governor. © 2015. Access PA is managed by HSLC.
Prior Updates from the Executive Director
