WGPL has joined Missouri Evergreen!
As of Oct. 17, Webster Groves Public Library, along with the rest of the Municipal Library Consortium, changed to a new Integrated Library System (ILS)! In broader terms, we switched our platform that allows us to do all the library things to a new platform that will still let us do all the library things with some added perks. That being said, we joined Missouri Evergreen, a consortium of more than 70 library systems statewide.
What does this mean for you as a library user?
- A new, more user-friendly catalog
- Access to a combined collection of more than 4 million items
- Reduced wait times for titles on hold, and much more!
As with any transition, there are some glitches and hiccups as we get used to the new system. Some things to note about this:
- We had to reset your catalog pin/password — as of Oct. 17, all current patrons had their password reset to the last 4 digits of your telephone number.
The good news is that Library staff is on hand to answer your questions as we all get comfortable with the new catalog, and we will be offering book-a-librarian sessions on how to use the catalog here at the Library. Please call us at 314-961-7277 or email jegel@wgpl.org with any questions you may have.
Overall, we think this is a positive change for the Library and the community, and we think that after a little time, people will be pleased with the end result.
This project is funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provision of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
Thank you for your patience during this transition!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this change WGPL’s involvement in the Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County?
Nope! The whole MLC joined Evergreen, so patrons across the nine libraries won’t lose any of the MLC-wide resources and will simply gain access to more resources statewide. Check out the full list of libraries in Missouri Evergreen here.
Will this change affect my access to Libby, Hoopla, and other online resources?
Nope! Access to Libby, Hoopla, and Kanopy is actually easier with the new catalog, with fewer clicks and more accurate catalog results. As always, WGPL staff is ready to help out with any questions that come our way.
What about the library app? Does that still work?
Unfortunately, no. The old MLC app stopped functioning on Monday, Oct. 14. The new app can be found in the Apple app store now, and the Android app is coming soon. We’ll link to it here when it’s available.