PaILS is working on a Strategic Plan that will set priorities for the next several years, and we want to hear that you have to say. Therefore, we have scheduled two sets of Focus Groups. Monday, July 18th (Martin Library, York) Administrators / Directors / Supervisors / Managers: 11:00AM Circulation: 1:30PM Tuesday, July 19th (Holiday Inn, Wilkes-Barre-East Mountain) Administrators / Directors / Supervisors / Managers: 8:30AM Circulation: 12:30PM If … Read More
PaILS Schedule Updated
We all like to know what will be happening when so here is an updated schedule of events that will affect the entire consortium over the next several months. I know it doesn’t need saying, but this schedule is subject to change. July Access PA Export Authority Control Update September Blair County Libraries Go Live! October Access PA Export Authority Control Update Staff Permission Group Revamp November Pocono Mountain … Read More
Altoona Area Public Library is Live!
The Altoona Area Public Library is now live on SPARK! Congratulations on a successful migration, and we are thrilled to have you on board!
SPARK Welcomes Libraries of Bedford County
We are pleased to announce that the libraries of the Bedford County Library System have joined SPARK and will be migrating in early 2017. They will bring four libraries, the Everett Free Library, Hyndman-Londonderry Public Library, Saxton Community Library, and the Pioneer Library, along with a Bookmobile. With Blair County (who are migrating right now) just to the north, the addition of Bedford County will create many opportunities for cooperation … Read More
PaILS Welcomes Lehigh Valley Libraries!
PaILS is pleased to announce that the Allentown Public Library, Easton Area Public Library, and the Bethlehem Area Public Library will be joining SPARK! These three important libraries will bring a wealth of resources, energy, and talent to the consortium. They will be migrating sometime in the latter half of 2017. More details to follow. Let’s all give a warm SPARK welcome to our friends in the Lehigh Valley.
By the Numbers
Here are some impressive SPARK numbers: Population Served by SPARK Libraries: 1,512,639 Titles: 1,287,992 (100 percent increase over last year!) Copies: 2,727,846 Circulation: (May 15-April 16): 3,831,881 (48 percent increase over last year!) Patrons: 559,669 (Increase of almost 60,000 over last year!) Library Service Outlets (Live, Migrating, or Committed): 105
SPARK Users Group
The big news is 71 people attended the annual SPARK Users Group Meeting in State College last Thursday. This is a record! Attendees got to travel in the SPARK Time Machine to hear about the recent past and the future, receive an introduction to Evergreen 2.10, hear reports on the Evergreen International Conference, and learn about tips and tricks for Cataloging, Circulation, the SPARK Catalog, and Reports. Let’s not forget … Read More
New Feature: Update from the Executive Director
A lot of great things are happening with SPARK, and I feel it is important that everyone is kept up-to-date. To that end I am going to be posting regular updates to www.sparkpa.org. My first post has a spring theme. With another Pennsylvania winter well behind us, everyone is having meetings and gatherings. I had the pleasure of speaking at the District Library Center Meeting in Hershey on April 25th. … Read More
Stumped by Reports? Try this video.
If you feel baffled by SPARK reports, give this video a try. It gives a great overview of the basics: Thank you to Elizabeth Davis and Christina Thomas at the Scranton Public Library for putting it together.
SPARK Ignites Facebook!
PaILS / SPARK is now on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pennsylvania-Integrated-Library-System-178285719211694/ Please “Like” us. Also, feel free to send us your SPARK-related content (Photos, Anecdotes, Favorite Features etc.). This would be much appreciated!