The Jefferson County Library debuted a new online catalog on Jan. 28, making it easier and faster to search for millions of titles available to check out in the library system and across the 80 libraries in the Missouri Evergreen consortium.
The Jefferson County Library was one of 10 library systems in the state that the Missouri State Library selected to take part in a pilot program of the new catalog.
“We were really fortunate to be chosen as one of the pilot locations for this project,” said Laura Maddock, the library’s marketing manager. “We think it will really streamline things for the user and help them to access all our materials and items much easier.”
The catalog’s “discover layer” allows users to filter through different categories to find what they’re looking for more easily, whether it be print books, audiobooks, e-books, DVDs, magazines or other items. Search results now show more clearly where an item is located – either online, at one of the library’s four branches or in the Evergreen library network.
Kate Coleman, the library’s technical services manager, said the new catalog has been about five months in the making.
“We wanted to give an easier and more comprehensive way to search, something that is more comparable to how a patron might search for something on the internet,” Coleman said. “A feature like this, a discovery layer, has definitely been something that the Jefferson County Library has had on its radar for quite a few years.”
Maddock said patrons will continue to use their library barcode and PIN to access the new catalog on jeffcolib.org.
“If you wanted to find what you’re looking for at the library, you might look in one place to find a print book, you might look in another place to find an audiobook and an e-book in another spot,” Maddock said. “Now, you can look in one place and find all of those results all in place. You may still go to different places to actually access those things, but you’ll see what we have all in one spot with directions on where to find it.”
Patrons may personalize their experience on the catalog by rating finished titles, which will generate recommendations in their accounts. Patrons may also record their reading history, save library events and create reading lists on their account profiles.
Coleman said the library system joined the Missouri Evergreen consortium in 2017. The partnership allows patrons to access resources across the state if the Jefferson County Library does not have them at its branches.
Maddock said the new catalog allows patrons better access to those resources at other libraries.
“Don’t be afraid to explore and discover all we have available with this new tool,” she said. “Our staff would also be glad to help with any questions people might have.”
The library’s Arnold Branch is at 1701 Missouri State Road and may be reached at 636-296-2204. The Northwest Branch is at 5680 Hwy. PP in High Ridge and may be reached at 636-677-8186. The Windsor Branch is at 7479 Metropolitan Blvd. in Barnhart and may be reached at 636-461-1914. The Cedar Hill Satellite is at 6780 Mall Drive and may be reached at 636-551-1020. All libraries are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.