During the COVID-19 pandemic, our customers in the library field have faced innumerable challenges. From closing their doors to in-person visits to having to adjust to a curbside drop-off/pickup system, the entire workflow of a library has been forced to change.
Auto-Graphics, Inc. addressed these concerns both internally and externally, which has led to permanent implementations in our products. Among other elements, increased adaptability has been key.
At the start of the pandemic, A-G product staff informed customers about the National Emergency Library, a temporary collection of books that supported emergency remote teaching and research activities while libraries were closed. We also assisted these customers with embedding access to that library from A-G’s integrated splash pages on their own websites. Especially where libraries did not have ample access to e-resources, this connection helped provide users with a source of materials they could access online during library closures.
Product staff made several key changes to the software to allow libraries more flexibility with the ever-changing COVID-19 landscape. This included front-facing changes – like updating customer-wide homepages and FAQ pages with information regarding closures and changes to the borrowing process. More importantly, it allowed for internal setting configurations that could account for extended shipping windows and quarantine periods, and facilitate contactless relationships with patrons. For example: VERSO enhanced the checkout process with a new scheduling tool to accommodate future curbside pickups; and provided direct links to self-registration screens for libraries to embed on their websites, which allowed patrons to sign up for a library card from home.
SHAREit product staff conducted a refresher course for libraries on the tools and workflows for non-returnables (the borrowing and lending of copies or digital files.) For libraries that were not open to the public, providing a scan of a chapter of a book was a viable way to give users access to materials. For libraries who were able to lend their e–formats, A-G streamlined tools to initiate non-returnable requests.
SHAREit staff also scheduled an ongoing series of training webinars for library staff in lieu of A-G’s usual on-site, in-person training. The webinars are recorded and posted for all SHAREit staff users to easily access, with topics ranging from basic searching to complex ILL workflows.
President
Customer Service Manager
Product Manager – VERSO
Product Manager, SHAREit
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Hicks, CPA, has been a director since February 2012. Mr. Hicks is Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Hicks has been a practicing certified public accountant for over twenty-five years in addition to partnering and managing both an underground construction company and real estate development business. Currently, Mr. Hicks is a founder and senior partner of Hicks & Williams, LLP a certified public accounting firm providing tax, audit and management consulting services to small and medium size clients across the nation.
Vice President of Sales
Mr. Heath has been a director since December 2012. Mr. Heath immigrated to California from Canada during the Internet commerce boom in 1999. Mr. Heath was formerly Vice President, Secondary Markets at Best Buy (2008-2010) and founded Dealtree.com in 1999, where he was CTO & COO from (2001-2010). Mr. Heath has developed expert system technologies for managing online sales channels and created several online marketplaces supporting secondary market sales. Mr. Heath is an Internet technology and business operations consultant and serves as President of Heath Investment Properties LLC. Mr. Heath is an active member of Rotary, and currently serves a Technology Director for District 5320 in Southern California.
Dr. Murphy has been a director since December 2012. He has over 20 years experience as a successful software executive specializing in high-growth SaaS companies. He currently is CEO of GVNG Technology and Practitioner of Strategy at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. Dr. Murphy is an active member on the board of directors for several early-stage and private equity owned companies. He received his MBA from Pepperdine University and his Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from the Alliance Manchester Business School at The University of Manchester.
Ken Kerr has been a director since April 2020. During his career, he served in a variety of leadership positions in sales, marketing, and operations with companies in startup, turnaround, and expansion. Most recently he was CEO/CFO of Advisys, Inc., a SaaS company providing financial planning solutions to Fortune 100 banks, brokerages and insurance companies, and thousands of independent financial advisers. He retired from Advisys in 2018 and now consults with businesses to improve profits and productivity through effective employee engagement strategies. Ken graduated Cum Laude from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and has an MBA with an emphasis in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix.
Director of Customer Service and Quality Assurance
Controller
Product Manager, SHAREit – Customer Services
Product Manager, VERSO – Technical Services
Director of Information Technology