PrintThe Todd Wehr Memorial Library is part of Viterbo University, a Catholic Franciscan institution in La Crosse, Wisconsin. In March 2010, library management started exploring ways to better organize and increase efficiency. At an OCLC event at the 2011 ALA Midwinter Meeting, Library Director Gretel Stock-Kupperman was impressed with the speed of work in OCLC WorldShare Management Services [5] compared to their existing system. The library decided to make the switch, and from mid-May 2011 to October 2011, it migrated to WorldShare. This included three systems’ worth of data. The most fundamental changes for the library were new workflows, which cut cataloging time by 75% and selection process by 50%. Saving time was the biggest gain.
Students now could search print holdings, article databases, and electronic holdings all in one place. That’s where the end-user transformation started, and library staff began teaching students how to discern the value of the search results instead of where to click and which silo to search. This helped students see the extent of the library’s materials and how to conduct research more effectively. "We now have a search interface that looks like a modern search engine. Needless to say, our users have wholeheartedly embraced this change," Stock-Kupperman said.
She suggests librarians might want to think about several factors if considering WorldShare Management Services. One is the environment of change it will bring. Because librarians will be driving the new system based on their unique needs, being engaged and vocal is key. Another factor is preparing for the collection to be discovered. While it’s great for users, it can bring to light the extent of outdated materials. Last is the willingness to review all processes and start by asking questions, as opposed to immediately trying to figure out what the system does. With WorldShare, Wehr library is now driving the workflow and making decisions on how to operate.
