Changes to staffing levels in 2009 resulted in a merger of the Technology Services and Training and Development Departments. Together, the staff from these departments make up Client Services. This merger enables staff to work more closely, allowing priorities to be streamlined and realizing the same goals with fewer people.

Technology Services
The Network Administrators and Client Services Associate provide support for the internal network at YRL headquarters,  the member libraries on the YRL network, and the Integrated Library System (ILS). YRL and the other TRAC partners operate off a common ILS database, Polaris. TRAC consists of 156 public library service points in the province carrying out library operations (circulation, online public access catalogue) on Polaris. The Client Services Department houses the TRAC ILS maintaining all elements of hardware, software, and the network.

Training and Consulting Services
Yellowhead Regional Library employs professional librarians to provide for the training and consulting needs of member library staff. The Client Services Librarians provide the following services:

• Collection Development: evaluation, weeding, selection, development, and planning
• Consultation on specific questions or issues
• Information on current library issues
• Policy and Procedures
• Plan of Service development
• Information on programming for all age groups
• Public and School library evaluations
• Space planning
• Training on eResources, websites, Polaris and other YRL services
• Workshops or seminars on library management skills

Desktop and Network Support
Libraries that chose to connect to the Supernet via Yellowhead Regional Library are eligible for a range of services to augment the base services, such as access to the ILS Software and the online catalogue. The network and desktop support services YRL offers are:

• Network connectivity / wireless hotspot connectivity
• Email services via Microsoft Exchange
• Domain and web site hosting
• Helpdesk services
• Application sharing via citrix
• First level Backup/ Disaster Recovery Services
• Hotspare equipment loan service
• Recommender Services

See our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for more information and answers to commonly asked questions.