LS2 PAC at Terrebonne Parish Library System: Seeing 'Results'

INWOOD, WV, February 2, 2009 - Terrebonne Parish Library System (LA) installed LS2 PAC, TLC's new search interface, in October.

Since then, "We're getting positive comments," Library Director Mary Cosper-LeBouef said. "LS2 PAC seems easier to navigate than the classic catalog. The patrons are accustomed to the Internet, so this is easier for them."

A popular feature is the LS2 PAC Book River, which uses moving jacket images to showcase items. "It's an enhanced screen," Ms. Cosper-LeBouef said. "Patrons can see a jacket image, and then be inspired to check the book out. It attracts their interest. And they can click on the image to launch the search."

Library staff can easily manage the Book River to feature items they want to highlight, such as new or less familiar items, or items about a particular topic.

Tracy Guyan, Terrebonne Computer Services Administrator, makes use of the LS2 PAC review feature. "I don't have too many favorite authors of my own yet," she said. "I like seeing what other people have thought of a book."

Ms. Guyan also likes the Predictive Results feature, which completes search terms as patrons type. She calls is "Googleish," noting that "many patrons may not know exactly how to spell an author's name or a book title, and this helps guide them in the right direction."

LS2 PAC offers experiences similar to those found in the best Web 2.0 applications. Additional features are tagging, list sharing; RSS result feeds; RSS indexing from popular or local Web sites; faceted results; subscription data integrated into results; Item Mapping; and genre browsing.

LS2 PAC is the first module of a new development platform by TLC.