ZPORTAL Creates Virtual Library Catalogs

  • 04/01/02

Educators and students interested in browsing the collections of libraries located in Western New York can now do so through one online search system, WNYLibraries.org (www.wnylibraries.org). The site combines the collections of Western New York Library Resources Council member libraries and library systems located in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Orleans counties.

The Virtual Union Catalog was made possible by Fretwell-Downing's ZPORTAL software, which has the ability to integrate different library vendor platforms seamlessly. In the future, the council plans to implement an electronic interlibrary loan system complementing their Virtual Union Catalog. The council is a nonprofit consortium of libraries and library systems serving the six Western New York counties. Council members include corporate, hospital, academic, public, school and nonprofit libraries. Fretwell-Downing Inc., Overland Park, KS, www.fdusa.com.

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