Fort Scott Public Library joining new loan system

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Friday, the Fort Scott Public Library will join SEKnFind, a consortium managed by the Southeast Kansas Library system. Over 30 libraries are members of SEKnFind and share a single automated system for the catalog and circulation systems.

Beginning Friday, library patrons may access their library accounts through any internet connection and will be able to place holds on materials, renew materials, and suggest materials for purchase. Also, patrons will be able to place holds on items belonging to any member library, and those items should arrive at Fort Scott Public Library and be available for checkout more quickly than items borrowed through interlibrary loan. The Fort Scott library will still participate in statewide interlibrary loan, so any items not owned by a SEKnFind library may still be avail-

able from another Kansas library.

As part of the process of joining SEKnFind, the FSPL will be issuing new library cards and account numbers to cardholders. Any existing circulation information in patron accounts should be retained, so those who like to see if they have already read a book should still be able to, barring any data glitches in the conversion process.

Beginning on Friday, the library will be asking people to take a moment to fill out new paperwork and update their account information. Then they will be issued their new cards. The library asks that readers allow a little extra time at their next visit to the library.

The library will be closed today in order for library staff to be trained and for the Southeast Kansas Library System staff to convert circulation records.