Pasco County Library System implements LS2 PAC from TLC

DENVER (May 20, 2009) - The Pasco County Library System, which is no stranger to distinction, has added another feather to its illustrious cap. The award-winning network of eight libraries in west central Florida has partnered with The Library Corporation to beta test TLC's LS2 PAC module for its CARL•XTM Integrated Library System (ILS).

The Pasco County Library System is TLC's first CARL•X system to implement LS2 PAC in a live ILS environment. The initial implementation includes LS2 PAC's cutting-edge features, including user reviews, ratings, and tags; product links to Amazon.com; faceted search and navigation capabilities; and list sharing.

"We are excited to offer our patrons features they have wanted for a very long time. They will be able to create and maintain their own wish lists, manage their account information, check the New York Times Best Seller list, and place their own holds all from within a single catalog," said Linda Allen, director of the Pasco County Library System.

"Our catalog has a new look and feel," said Ruth Urbanski, Pasco's Technical Services Division manager. "I'm excited that patrons will be able to write their own reviews and publish them. When they place a hold on a popular title, they can now suspend the hold when they go on vacation without losing their place in the hold queue. And they can activate it themselves when they return. This will be a big hit with our users!"

The LS2 PAC module is beautiful software that offers experiences similar to those found in the best Web 2.0 applications, such as RSS features from popular Internet and other Pasco library sites, and includes book jackets from the library system's collection. (You may view this yourself by logging on to http://ls2.pascolibraries.org.)

The LS2 PAC module is designed to work with CARL•X and TLC's other ILS, Library•Solution®. CARL•X is a next-generation automation solution designed for (and by) medium- to large-size public libraries and library systems. It uses established, thoughtfully created design and development principles to showcase libraries' individual strengths while freeing staff from having to perform routine functions.

"Although TLC has deployed LS2 PAC with our Library•Solution product previously, we are very excited to work with Pasco County on our initial deployment of LS2 PAC with CARL•X," said Paul Leppert, vice president of TLC Denver. "We work closely with all of our libraries, and Pasco has been a great partner to work with on this project. It is obvious they are dedicated to providing their patrons the highest quality of service," Leppert said of the library system that has an annual circulation of nearly 2.1 million books and other items.

It takes a powerful automation system to handle the library needs of a bustling region like the Greater Tampa Bay Metropolitan Area, and the combination of CARL•X and the LS2 PAC will further enhance the Pasco County Library System's ability to serve its 406,898 residents. TLC works in partnership with the library system to ensure proper oversight of 226,000 book titles and 589,941 items, including an impressive collection of CDs and DVDs.

The Pasco County Library System has earned numerous honors since its establishment in 1980. In 2008, for example, it was presented with the Florida Library of the Year Award from the Florida Library Association, and Libraries Director Linda Allen was one of just 10 librarians nationally to receive the "I Love My Librarian" award from the Carnegie Corp. of New York and the New York Times.

For the Pasco County Library System, books are just the beginning. TLC is happy to be a part of its continuing journey.

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