“With Aspen 21.10 libraries now have the power to dedicate sections of their website to specific patron types. We’re excited to see libraries build staff intranets, volunteer sites, and more!”

This release was primarily focused in three areas:
- Polishing Polaris to add additional functionality and conveniences for our Polaris partners
- Allowing library staff to restrict web builder content to specific patron types
- Continuing work on eCommerce integrations

Our Polaris integration improved in a number of ways to help make Aspen easier to use for patrons, give them more complete information, and add additional functionality. We added the ability to display patron blocks within Aspen so that patrons can easily see why they might be restricted from borrowing and contact the library to resolve any issues. We also added the ability to import lists so patrons can use any lists that were previously created within Polaris in Aspen. Next we added the ability for patrons to change contact information and reset PINs/passwords within Aspen. Finally, we have added the (optional) ability for staff to masquerade as patrons to making customer service easier without needing to ask patrons for PINs.

Web Builder functionality in Aspen received a major upgrade with this release. Library staff can now restrict pages and menu links to specific patron types. This will allow libraries to build staff intranets, volunteer sites, and much more.

We also added eCommerce integration with ProPay as well as reporting for all transactions done within Aspen. This development now gives libraries a third method of paying fines via Aspen in addition to Comprise and PayPal which were previously released. All eCommerce options are available to any Aspen partner with no additional cost.

In addition to these major improvements, over three dozen other enhancements and refinements are included for our partners.

Read the Full Release Notes
You can find the full release notes here: https://bywatersolutions.com/news/aspen-discovery-announces-21-10-00-rel...

Watch a Preview of the Release: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt4Zz4rhKGM

About Aspen Discovery
Aspen is a full-featured Discovery System that integrates with e-content and other 3rd party providers, giving your patrons comprehensive access to all of your materials in one place. Aspen combines your library catalog with e-content, digital archives, and enrichment from all major third-party providers improves relevancy and ease of use, provides native reading recommendations, displays all formats of titles within one result (FRBR/record grouping) and much more. Aspen was created to give users an improved experience over other Discovery systems with less of an impact on library budgets. For more information about Aspen please visit https://bywatersolutions.com/projects/aspen-discovery.

For More Information
Jessica Zairo
Director of Library Sales and Outreach
ByWater Solutions
bywatersolutions.com
Phone:(888)900-8944