The Tocker Foundation has awarded the Whitewright Public Library $10,200 for a new catalog system, Apollo by Biblionix. The funds will pay for the library's data to be imported into the new system, as well as five years of service.

The new system will allow the library's over 20,000 items to be browsed online by anyone via the Internet. Search results include cover art, title and author of the book, and will let browsers know if the item is checked out. Those interested in viewing the latest titles have the option of viewing a list of items added to the collection in the past two or four weeks.

Registered library users will be able to view items they currently have checked out, renew or reserve items, and update contact information, all from the convenience of home. Items can also be reserved based on author name, so you'll know whenever a new book is added to the collection by your favorite author(s). Email alerts can be sent three days in advance of an item's due date, as well as notifications when reserved items are ready for pickup, when items are overdue, etc.

For those without online access, the system will still provide better service than the system the library has been using for over a decade. By automating more of the work, this makes it easier for librarians to contact those not online regarding reserves, overdues, etc.

Library staff anticipates the online catalog will be available in approximately one to two months, depending upon when the transfer of data into the new program can be done as well as staff training time.

The library will publish more details once the catalog is online. You can also watch www.whitewright.lib.tx.us for more details, or call the library if you have questions, 903-364-2955.

The Whitewright Public Library has received a grant for a new computer and a copy/fax machine from The Tocker Foundation.

The Tocker Foundation was established in 1964 by Phillip and Olive Tocker as a general philanthropic foundation and to help disadvantaged high school graduates obtain a college education. In 1992, the foundation board decided to focus grant distribution to small rural libraries in Texas, serving populations of 12,000 or less.

Grants have been extended for outreach and "shut-in" programs, library automation, enhancement of services, adult reading classes, after school projects, bilingual material and many other projects initiated by community public libraries.

The goal of the Whitewright Public Library is to purchase equipment to replace aging equipment needed to operate library services. The library's computer, which houses the circulation system, suffered a crash in between submission and receipt of the grant, and will be replaced.

Our copier, which is used for both library purposes and to make copies for the public, is over five years old. It has already had the drum replaced twice and is becoming more difficult to maintain. A new copier, with a fax machine built in, will be purchased to streamline our services to patrons.

For more information, contact the library at 903-364-2955.

Library Funding Restored

Commissioner Johnny Waldrip, when making the motion for funding:  "I had a speech, but you don't need it. This is a county service. We have a chance to invest in our future. These (he pointed at the children in the audience) are our future leaders. It is better that they are (hanging out) at a library than a beer store or the street corner."

Channel 12 has a brief article about the decision of the Grayson County Commissioner's Court to reinstate library funding to its previous level for Whitewright, Whitesboro, How, Van Alstyne and Pottsboro, as well as adding Collinsville to the list. They also have video of the news report.

The Herald Democrat has it listed as "Breaking News" at their website, with the complete story in the paper.