Discover BiblioCommons - Enrich your Library Experience

Perth East, Stratford and West Perth public libraries are second in the world to launch BiblioCommons!  Together these libraries are the Perth County Information Network (PCIN) and on October 9 at 1pm PCIN will launch this new and exciting online catalogue! 

The launch event takes place at Perth East Public Library - 27 Main Street South, Milverton.  John Wilkinson, MPP for Perth-Wellington will be there to explore some of the features of BiblioCommons.

BiblioCommons is the new finding tool that allows library users to find what they are looking for.  It incorporates web 2.0 and social networking features, which means that library users can contribute information to the catalogue and interact with each other.

• Voice your opinion by adding comments and star-ratings about books and movies.
• Create lists to share with other users about your favourite authors, genres or interests.
• Connect and communicate with other users with similar interests in a safe, trusted environment.
• Manage your account online, place holds, renew items and check due dates.
• Build networks of favorite reviewers that result in personalized recommendations.
• Explore bestsellers, award winners and newly acquired library materials.

All of these additional discovery features give library users a new and interesting way to find library materials.

This user-generated content is shared by all libraries that use BiblioCommons.  This results in a much richer catalogue experience for the user.  For example, Perth East Public Library users can read comments and lists created by others  from their library, as well as user-generated content from Stratford, Mitchell and Oakville.  Soon we will see library users from Halton Hills and Ottawa adding online content.

BiblioCommons is a project of Knowledge Ontario, which is funded by the province of Ontario.

Outreach - BiblioCommons is being done by Natasha Hesch.  Her contract is being funded by the LSDF

 Details:

What:   PCIN's launch of BiblioCommons

When:  Friday, October 9, 2009 at 1pm

Where: Perth East Public Library - 27 Main Street, Milverton

For more information contact:

Background on Knowledge Ontario:

Knowledge Ontario is a collaboration of libraries, cultural heritage organizations and educational institutions. Its focus is on connecting Ontarians with digital content to support their information and learning needs. Knowledge Ontario delivers enhanced services to and through the province's publicly funded libraries by supporting equity of access to information, creation of digital content, research and literacy.  www.knowledgeontario.ca

Connect Ontario is the Knowledge Ontario project focused on transforming the Library catalogue from an inventory finding system... to a rich, discovery experience and a kaleidoscope of social spaces that are defined by shared interests by topic, genre, and style. 

 Connect... Discover... Learn... Digitally

Background on PCIN:

The Perth County Information Network (PCIN) is a library network, which includes Perth East Public Library (Milverton), West Perth Public Library (Mitchell), Stratford Public Library and The Stratford-Perth Archives.  PCIN enables residents to have access to the resources of all of the participating libraries.

Check out BiblioCommons in advance:

Perth East Public Library:  http://pepl.bibliocommons.com/dashboard

Stratford Public Library:  http://spl.bibliocommons.com/dashboard

West Perth Public Library:  http://wppl.bibliocommons.com/dashboard