Like many Polaris libraries, the Ames catalog features a few content carousels based on booklists compiled manually by library staff. Ames has done something unique. They’ve put a mechanism in place which creates a booklist automatically. The list (and therefore the content carousel) updates dynamically as items are added to and removed from a specific shelf location (“staff picks”).
While the member libraries maintain their individual websites, the consortium uses PowerPAC as their sole web presence. Where there’s a need for a page of local content (e.g., a page with Book Recommendations) , Black Gold has added custom pages within the PowerPAC framework and linked them to a “Main Menu” in the side dashboard area.
As a multi-site system, Bridges has done a very nice job of personalizing the PowerPAC for the individual member libraries. If you visit their PowerPAC, be sure and switch between a few of the library locations. Notice how nicely each library site has been customized.
Champaign is an example of a library who chooses to situate their dashboard sidebar on the right side of the main content versus the left side. As a result, the cover art for search results are prominent as the left most bit of content for the user.
Both resource sharing and autonomy are very important to the member libraries of CCS. This balance of attributes is very evident when you visit the Polaris PowerPAC pages for each library. Member libraries do a certain level of customization on their own while CCS consortium staff are quick to provide consulting and administration services.