This articles describes how you can improve the discoverability of a library when adding a library to the SimplyE app.
In the Circulation Manager:
- Click System Configuration on the menu bar on the upper right side
- If you are not an Admin for the system, you will not see this menu option. Please contact your hosting provider if you think this is in error.
- Library Configuration is the default landing page. Click Libraries in the left menu if you are not on the Library Configuration page
- Click the Edit button next to the library you are configuring or Create New Library button if applicable
- Scroll down to the Geographic Area (Optional) section and open using the down arrow
About the Fields
There are two areas to complete: Focus Area and Service Area
Focus Area is the geographic area served by the library, usually a city, town, county, state, or ZIP code. For most libraries, this would be the geographic area served by the Legal Service Area Population (or Population Served). The following formats are supported:
- Zip code, e.g., 93203
- State, e.g., CT
- City, State, e.g., Delta, UT
- County, State, e.g., Broward County, FL
Usually the library's Focus Area and Service Area are the same. In those cases, leave Service Area empty so that data in the Focus Area will apply. If a library provides its services to those outside their Legal Service Area Population (or Population Served), this additional geographic area could be added to the Service Area.
Some libraries are expected to provide service to a region larger than their focus area. For example, the New York Public Library has a focus area covering three of the boroughs of New York City (The Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island), but its service area covers the entire state of New York.
Best practice for most libraries is to use CITY, ST or COUNTY, ST in Focus Area, and to leave Service Area empty.
- Add or Delete geographic areas as appropriate. Add multiple entries as needed.
- Submit to send this information to update the SimplyE Library Registry.
Focus and Service Areas will be used by the SimplyE app to sort the list of available libraries for a new user or one wishing to add an additional library. This service uses the app's incoming IP Address. For example, a user in Connecticut would see Connecticut libraries at the top of the list.
