Leap to the Next Level of Circulation and Customer Service

I fully admit that I am a creature of habit and I tend to stay in my comfort zone. I got my first PC in the early 1990s and learned DOS. I still use the keyboard as much as possible instead of a mouse. And I prefer using the locally installed Polaris client instead of the much more user-friendly web-based Leap. Although in my defense, Leap doesn’t have all the features needed for what I do (but they are working on building in those).

Have you used Leap before? If not, you should. Leap is a web-based interface for Polaris. I know, it sounds fancy and kind of weird, but it’s a much more simplified interface that the dated Polaris.

Logging into Leap, the first thing you’ll see is a search box and buttons for check in and new patron. The toolbar at the top shows New, Utilities, and Help. Somewhere in the middle is a literary quote that does change as you refresh the main screen.

Leap also has what is known as a responsive web design, which is a fancy way of saying that the interface resizes nicely to whatever screen or device you’re using. I have used Leap on my work laptop, my home computer, an iPad, and in one desperate moment, I’ve even used my iPhone (although phones aren’t technically a supported device, desperate times call for using Leap on a tiny screen).

I’m sure you’re asking yourself why you would bother using Leap when you have Polaris installed on your staff computers in the library. It’s a valid question, but I do have a question for you too. Do you ever go out into the community? Maybe you’re setting up a booth at a local community event or taking books out to a nearby Seniors’ Home. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to register patrons while you’re out there, or even circulate items on site? And wouldn’t it be nice to avoid the whole remote desktop situation? Because let’s be honest, if you’re not a fan of the clunky Polaris client, remote desktop only makes it worse.

Leap doesn’t have to just be an outside-the-library thing. Patron Registration in Leap is much simpler than the Polaris client. All the required fields are on one screen, so no more flipping between the different screens of Patron Registration in Polaris. The interface is so much clearer and easier to navigate.

Renewals are also super easy in Leap. You’re notified immediately that the patron account has expired with helpful red popups.

If you happen to search for an expired patron, Leap accommodatingly sends you directly to the patron registration so you can quickly renew the patron. Near the top of Patron Registration, you’ll find the Renew button. Just click it and you’ll see the following popup:

All you have to do is click continue and your patron is renewed. Simple, right?

Now, let’s talk Request Manager. You’re expected to run the Request Manager every day your library is open and unless you’ve got a really long extension cord, you’re probably printing your list instead of dragging your circulation computer through the library. However, if you have a tablet (or even a light laptop), you can use Leap instead. Reduce waste and stop printing!

Leap has two functions to pull requests for your items. Both are under Utilities. One is Request Manager and the other is Picklist Processing. Both provide you with a list of items to pull off your shelf, but there are subtle differences between the two. Personally, I prefer the using the Picklist. You may feel differently and that’s okay.

I like using the Picklist because it has the ability to defer the hold (Ask Me Later) if you can’t find the item immediately on the shelf. If an item still can’t be found later on, it can be declared Missing right from the Picklist screen.

As always, please don’t touch the Deny button. That’s just a cause of chaos and ends up breaking more than it helps.

I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone (I promise to do so if you do) and give Leap a try. It can do so much for you and make your workflows simpler. You can log into Leap here: https://leap.tracpac.ab.ca/LeapWebApp/login

All of our documentation for Leap can be found on the PLS website at https://www.peacelibrarysystem.ab.ca/Training-Toolkit/Polaris/Polaris-Leap

Janet Ayles
IT Services Manager