By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
After 20 years, the Northfield Public Library is undergoing a database upgrade. The library is taking the opportunity to update their records and encouraging anyone who has lost their library card to get a new one. From now until April 27th the fees for replacement library cards will be waived. Here is Natalie Draper, the Director of Library Services:
“So what we’re asking folks to do to help us get our patron records updated before we move into the new database.” – Natalie Draper, Northfield Library Director, on the KYMN Morning Show
Whether you’re getting a replacement card or a new one for the Northfield Library altogether, you can choose from four different card designs. A local artist made the art on each card, and you can see the different designs throughout this article.
The next phase of the library database changes will be on April 27th:
“So what happens on the 27th is we go into offline mode and then we go live with the new database on May 1st, assuming all goes according to plan as everything always does.” – Natalie Draper, Northfield Library Director on the KYMN Morning Show
During the period from April 27th to May 1st, no checkouts will be due during that time, no requests for new items can be placed or delivered, and the library will be closed for training on Monday, the 28th, and Tuesday, the 29th. Also, as part of the process of changing databases starting in mid-April, the library will stop adding new items to its catalogues. Draper said the library is actively ordering books during this time and that there will be plenty of new materials for patrons after May 1st:
“I would say come in and see how the boxes pile up and get excited.” – Natalie Draper, Northfield Library Director, on the KYMN Morning Show
The new system will be designed to be more user-friendly for both the staff and patrons. Draper asked for patience as they worked through the upgrades, and she said that it would be a complicated process, shifting thousands of records to the new system. The upgrades are part of Northfield’s shared database with the Southeastern Minnesota Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) a group of 35 public libraries in Minnesota.
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