RPL rolls out new circulation system

Anyone who has attempted to visit the Russellville Public Library this week has been greeted by a closed sign and a locked door – all for a good cause. Jan. 9 the library will reopen at its normal business hours with a brand-new circulation system for its customers.

Library staff are taking this week to implement the new system and go through training to learn the new program.

“With new developments that are happening this year, we realized that it was necessary to upgrade,” library director Ashley Cummins said.

Currently the library is using the Athena library automation system for Windows. The new system is Atriuum, a 100percent web-based library automation system. Cummins said the main difference in the systems is that Atriuum can be accessed 24/7 from any device that has internet access.

“So if somebody decides they want a certain book, but it’s after hours, they’ll be able to go online to our system and see if we have it,” she said.

RPL will also now be offering e-books, which Cummins said she is really excited about.

“Our Friends of the Library group is the reason this is all happening, and I want to thank them,” Cummins said.

She said they went through several demos to determine which system would be the best option and settled on Atriuum because it is a widely-used system and easy to use.

“We want to offer comparable services to the other libraries in the area and the state for our patrons,” Cummins said.