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NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ -
Fullerton, CA, United States, 2011/12/01 - Hope’s Darling Library is one of only a select number of libraries worldwide to use an innovative and integrative cloud or web based system to manage its circulation, the lending and receiving of materials, and its research databases.
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Robin Hartman (BA ’81), Director of Library Services at Hope International University (HIU), is a trend setter in the library services industry. Her implementation of a web based integrated library system has reaped rewards for HIU students. Hope’s Hugh and Hazel Darling Library is so far one of only 31 libraries worldwide to transition into using an online or “cloud” system.
In a WebEx session on November 16, Hartman presented a case study of Hope’s experience “in the cloud.” HIU was an early adopter of Online Computer Library Center’s (OCLC) Web-scale Management Service (WMS), going live in June 2011. WMS makes browsing the library’s print and electronic resources more user friendly through easy access to WorldCat, the world’s largest catalog of bibliographic data and library materials.
“Student centered services is very important to us,” Hartman said. “With more of our courses being offered online than on campus, we need to continue to be innovative and to move forward and remain relevant. WMS and WorldCat Local together looked like a way to do that.”
Hartman had previously co-presented on this same topic with Andrew Pace, Executive Director of Networked Library Services for OCLC, and Larry Haight, Director of Libraries at Simpson University, at the Internet Library Conference in Monterey, CA. She has also been asked to write an article for the Journal of Web Librarianship.
During her presentation, Hartman acknowledged that the University’s 27-year history with OCLC was a highly influential factor in Hope’s decision to make the leap to WMS. “I don’t think that I would have jumped in with any other company,” she said. “It seemed OCLC was putting all their eggs in this basket, and I was convinced that they wanted us to be happy because their reputation was on the line.” HIU has been very happy indeed.
In addition to helping users find their resources, WMS also handles much of the data management that would normally be tasked to library staff members. Hartman said that prior to implementing WMS, the Darling Library was spending a good deal of time simply maintaining their primary service (checking out books), which left little time for developing ideas for growth or expansion. With WMS in place, the library staff is now free to focus on ways to improve and increase their offerings to students. In the few months since going live with the new system, the Darling Library has been able to completely update their website, implement a new Ask a Librarian reference service, and streamline their acquisitions, cataloging and circulation process.
Hope International University is a regionally accredited Christian university founded in 1928 that integrates faith, service and learning. Through undergraduate, graduate, and online degree programs with faculty and staff dedicated to student success, our students experience a transformative educational experience and are prepared to make an impact with their lives. Our diverse student body represents over 35 states and 40 countries around the world.
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kgladding[.]hiu.edu 
