Apollo Automation

Apollo

The Apollo ILS (Integrated Library System) was designed from the ground up by practicing librarians to be a hosted ILS for public libraries. This provides our customers with amazing efficiencies and connectedness. And those customers are only public libraries with fewer than 300,000 items. Apollo customers say it is easy to use and dramatically increases ease of use and efficiency. Your staff will be able to accomplish more and deliver more to patrons with less time.

See Apollo in Action

Delightful and efficient for your staff

Our customers simply rave about how much easy Apollo is and how more efficient they are (remember the awards we’ve won?). From time-savers, to error prevention, to patron joy and leveraging of 3rd party resources, Apollo is making a difference. And this is all with only a browser and no server or software to install.

“Apollo actually does what it says it can do. This is so unexpected (almost unbelievable) that my board kept asking me to ‘find the catch.’ There isn’t a catch.”

 

Michael Dawber, CEO/Librarian Rainy River Public Library, Ontario

Here are a few examples:

  • Circulation Management:
    • Wonderfully streamlined Checkin interface
    • Text, email, and phone notifications
    • Communal catalog and virtual consortium capabilities with VersaCat® and VersaCard®
    • Auto-Calling for overdue and reserve notifications (with NO on-site hardware required).
    • Self-checkout with only a PC.
  • Collection Management:
    • Acquisitions.
    • Delete items without losing information.
    • Batch Weed/Delete.
    • Powerful authority control.
  • Other Advantages
    • “Ask a Librarian”/Two-way texting with Gabbie(TM)
    • Link Family Members
    • Powerful report to monitor text/email/phone call notice success/failure
    • New Patron Sign-up on-line
    • Integration with 3rd party products/services with availability info.

    “Apollo has exceptionally happy customers.”

     

    Marshall Breeding — “Perceptions” Survey
    Learn More

    Empower Patrons as Never Before

    With Apollo, your patrons get a state of the art, gorgeous catalog. And you get more exposure for those expensive 3rd party e-Resources.
    Empower Patrons as Never Before

    • Responsive catalog
    • Reserve by author
    • Enhance your website with numerous ways to help your patrons get more out of your library.
    • Single log-in to your e-Resources.
    • Self-checkout with only a PC.
    • On-line payments.
    • Patron sees how much they’ve saved by borrowing instead of buying

    “In my 20+ years in libraries, switching to Apollo is one of the smartest choices I have made.”

     

    Kim Earnest, Mediapolis Publicy Library, Iowa

    State Specific Advantages

      Apollo’s hosted-only approach lets us reduce your workload by making automatic connections with your state catalogs, ILL systems, etc. Here are some examples:

    • Texas: OCLC Navigator NCIP integration for the most hassle-free ILL management possible. Also you don’t ever upload MARC or patron data.
    • Iowa: auto-updating of SILO state catalog with additions and deletions.
    • New Hampshire: auto-updating of NHU-PAC for material additions AND deletions. Import from NHU-PAC for cataloging
    • Maine: auto-emailing of additions to the state library
    • Michigan: MeLCat ILL integration with NCIP. Auto-update of materials including availability information. Import from MeLCat for cataloging
    • States with OCLC cataloging: Capture of OCLC number for titles and auto-emailing of additions and deletions

      • We do all this and more at no charge.

    Smooth, Comfortable Migration

      The free trial lets you virtually eliminate any leap of faith. You send us a copy of your data using the easy and secure upload page for only your library. We’ll import it into Apollo in a day or three then we’ll turn you loose on it! You can verify that we’ve gotten all your data copied and imported correctly. You can try everything (circulate, catalog, run reports, etc) as well as see how Apollo performs in your library. Plus, Apollo can use existing barcode labels, scanners, and printers.

      So, while your library continues to operate normally, we’ll work together to answer your Apollo questions and address your issues. Take your time, because your comfort comes first. If you decide against Apollo, we’ll delete your data and wish you well. If you decide to go with Apollo, you and any staff/volunteers can take the free on-line, live training. We’ll also get on the phone with you, one-on-one, to make sure all the setup items and polices are configured the way you want them. Then we’ll pick the magic date! You’ll send a fresh upload of your data after you close one day, and we’ll replace all the trial data overnight. You can open the next day with Apollo! It IS that easy.

      Concerned about the migration process? Read our Migration to Apollo (PDF).

    Pricing

    Apollo is a service, offered on an annual subscription basis, just as you might pay for magazines or databases. We don’t nickel and dime you. All current features are included in the base subscription price except just four: Acquisitions, Content Cafe 2, Auto-Calling, and Branch Support. You can have unlimited users and any number of computers using Apollo. Subscriptions include all server functionality, backups, customer support, free upgrades, and access to a user forum. A contract is not required. You can cancel at any time and receive a refund of your unused subscription term. Pricing is quoted on an individual library basis, so contact us for details on your subscription.

    System Requirements

    Because of our Internet delivery, the system requirements for Apollo are a breeze. We don’t lock you in to particular hardware or a particular operating system. Plus, since Apollo is hosted only, it’s optimized for on-line use, exhibiting excellent response times.
    Requirements
    Patrons:

    • A reasonably modern Web browser (eg Internet Explorer 10+ or Firefox 30+).

    Staff:

    • Firefox or Safari (Chrome can be used as well)
    • A high-speed (DSL, cable, or better) Internet connection.

    Recommendations

    • Reasonably modern hardware, on which Web browsing is not painfully slow.
    • At least 1024×768 screen resolution.

    Apollo will boost your library’s image. Patrons will experience easier, better access and a smoother running operation. Your staff will be more productive and have more fun on the job. Your collection data will be pure and collection decisions will be well informed. Dedicated solely to public libraries, Apollo will make a difference at your library.

    See case studies and customer comments about an ILS created just for you!

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