Integrated Library System (ILS)
An integrated library system is an essential tool our libraries need to provide daily public service to their communities. Allegheny County Libraries use the Sierra ILS platform, a shared integrated library system, that provides an indexed searchable database of 3.9 million items in our libraries’ collections. Sierra also supports customer workflows by maintaining patron records and borrowing transactions, and has modules to track material acquisitions, reporting and statistics on collection use.
eiNetwork maintains, configures and safeguards the data integrity of the Sierra ILS platform. eiNetwork staff also work with libraries to identify functionality and workflow solutions to improve patron and library staff experiences, and streamline library workflows using automated processes where beneficial.
Online Library Catalog
eiNetwork develops and manages the patron facing catalog, also known as a Discovery Layer. The Discovery Layer interprets the data in our ILS and presents it to the patron in an easy to navigate interface. Our current Discovery Layer is BiblioCore, by BiblioCommons.
Additional Service Applications
eiNetwork supports several periphery systems that connect to Sierra and our Discovery Layer, so libraries can enhance the patron library experience. These products use our network infrastructure and eiNetwork helps manage connectivity to these resources and troubleshoots access issues when needed. eiNetwork also ensures any external connections are safe, private and protect user data.
eBook and eResource Collections
Our libraries share subscription online databases and eResources that use our Sierra platform to authenticate.
Capira Mobile App
Libraries just announced a new Allegheny Library App, for Apple and Android devices. This app allows users to access their account, put books on hold and manage materials right from their smartphone.
Text & Telephone Patron Notification
eiNetwork manages two subscription services, Shoutbomb and IPA, to push daily account notifications to patrons via text or phone.