RAILS Members from All Types of Libraries Invited to Help Shape RAILS Overlay Project

RAILS is researching a potential overlay project to provide RAILS-area library users with seamless access to shared online catalog consortia within RAILS and the catalogs of standalone libraries that choose to participate. The project would greatly enhance resource sharing by allowing library users to search for a much wider, richer variety of materials than any one library or library consortium could provide – all at the same time and place.
 
RAILS is conducting a series of focus groups to gather input on what our members would like to have in an overlay product and to identify other factors that will need to be addressed to make the project successful. The ultimate goal is to make things as easy as possible for RAILS-area library users. Eric Craymer, President of Growth Management Consulting, Inc., will conduct the focus groups.
 
Focus groups with staff from libraries participating in RAILS-area consortia have already been scheduled. RAILS is now focusing on libraries with standalone catalogs and non-automated libraries to participate in one of the following focus groups via webinar:
 
Academic Libraries
Tuesday, April 7, 1 – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, April 15, 10 a.m. – noon
 
Public Libraries
Two webinar focus groups will be conducted for public libraries based on their size. Members can select the session of interest.
 
     Public Libraries - Small
     Tuesday, April 7, 10 a.m. – noon
 
     Public Libraries - Large
     Wednesday, April 15, 1 – 3 p.m.
 
School Libraries
Wednesday, April 8, 2 – 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 16, 2 – 4 p.m.
 
Special Libraries
Tuesday, April 14, 1 – 3 p.m.
Thursday, April 16, 10 a.m. – noon
 
To express interest in participating, please contact Jody Rubel at jody.rubel@railslibraries.info at least one week before your preferred webinar. Please provide your name, library, job title, email, and preferred phone number. Please also indicate your library’s current integrated library system (ILS) or if your library is not automated. Confirmed participants will be contacted by RAILS.
 
All webinar focus groups will be conducted via Fuze. (Note: To participate in a Fuze webinar your computer must have a microphone and speaker. If Fuze does not detect a speaker/microphone you may not be able to connect. A toll-free phone number will be available for those who can’t use their computer’s audio.)
 
RAILS will also do an online survey later in April to provide additional opportunities for member input.