Library's new computer system has many perks

You may not have noticed something new at the Rolling Meadows library -- and that's just the way the staff wants it.

The library recently went live with its new computer system, an improvement that officials say will boost efficiency and ultimately save money. The installation was completed with nary a hitch.

"It was on time and on budget," library Director Dave Ruff says.

While Ruff admits it's not the most exciting thing for library users to read about, he and his staff see important benefits.

The new system offers a more expansive picture of circulation and accounting, which will help the library order what is needed most. "It will allow us to target our money better," Ruff says. "We'll have very specific reports."

Ruff and his associates spent about two years on the project and chose to go with Innovative Interfaces, one of the largest companies in the industry. It's being funded over two budget years, with a generous $20,000 gift from the Friends of the Library.

So have library patrons noticed the change when logging on to look for a book? "We found to our relief that it wasn't much different, and that's what we wanted," Ruff said.

There are a few new features, however. For instance, the system can tell you whether an audio book is on CD or tape. The prior system made no such distinction.

Also, coming soon will be a feature that tells you by map to the section of the library where a particular item is found, including a picture of the area. "If you're not familiar with the library it can direct you," Ruff said.

While computer bugs are almost inevitable with a new system, the change at the library has been problem free -- "knock on wood," Ruff says.

About those recycling carts: Any time a city changes the way it does things, there are bound to be concerns. The new Rolling Meadows recycling program is no exception. When the 65-gallon carts arrived last week, many residents thought they were too big.My column last Friday stated residents could call before June 1 to receive a smaller cart. That brought a flood of phone calls to the village. My mistake was that residents are to call AFTER June 1.Public works officials want residents to give the larger carts a chance. See if you actually do fill it; you may be surprised. Or, officials say, you could fill it over two weeks and then set it out only every other week.The goal of the program is to recycle more materials, they remind us. That's not just good for our city, it's good for our Earth.