Main library branch makes new updates

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- The downtown location of the library has new updates to share.

The John McIntire Library has undergone updates to their location. Some of those include new open seating areas and centralizing their new arrivals.

Jennifer Spillman, Director of Libraries at Muskingum County Library System, said these updates are to create a better patron experience.

“Part of our mission is to connect people to information and each other, so we work on five key components to do that,” Spillman said. “We work on read, learn, discover, create and experience, and one area we’re really focusing on is experience right now.”

Some of the updates include ones that can’t be see when you enter the library, such as their online presence and a new app they launched.

Sean Fennell, Emerging Technologies Manager for Muskingum County Library System, said the app is also a part of the experience update.

“Basically with the app what we’re looking at is really to increase that experience that people are able to have with the library to increase the usability and access to all the great collections that we have,” said Fennell.

The app had a soft launch in December and rolled out with the new year in January. Members can also store their library cards in the app for more convenient check out.

Fennell said the app has many features such as browsing their catalog, placing things on hold and accessing digital content. But there’s one feature that he thinks is the real winner.

“There’s a really great feature as well called ‘BookLook’ where you’re actually able to scan barcodes of books that you just encounter in your everyday life and it will automatically search our catalog,” said Fennell.

With ‘BookLook’ members are also able to place the book they searched on hold if they’re available.

Fennell said he encourages anyone who doesn’t feel technologically advanced to come in for complimentary one-on-one help.

The MCLS app is free of charge and available at the App Store for Apple products and the Google Play Store for Android products.