On January 11, Seton Hill University will launch Polaris, a leading fully functional integrated library system with a high level of user flexibility.

According to Dana Krydick, systems librarian, “We believed it was extremely important that the library system we selected provide an app for the iPad. We knew we wanted to integrate the iPad into student research because each of our full-time students has an iPad. Polaris has partnered with Hybrid Forge to provide an iPad application for students.”

Krydick continued, “Polaris creates a system that outlives its original technology and hardware to keep pace with new developments. It allows for a more robust work flow that simulates how libraries actually process materials. Additionally, Polaris provides a state-of-the-art catalog interface and tools that offer enhanced flexibility.”

The Polaris app for mobile devices will allow students to search the library catalog, read item reviews and place holds on charged items.

Seton Hill took a bold step into the future 18 months ago, becoming the first university in the nation to provide the iPad to all full-time faculty members and students. Since then, the University has seen energizing change in the way faculty think about their syllabi, the way learning is evaluated and the way students get involved in what they are learning.

For the 2011-2012 academic year, the mobile technology program provided all incoming first-year full-time students with an Apple iPad2 and a 13" MacBook Pro laptop, along with the technical support and robust, wireless infrastructure to support their use anywhere on Seton Hill's hilltop campus, Greensburg campus and in the University's new Center for Orthodontics.

Faculty members have already been provided with the iPad, and many already use MacBook laptops they received while taking part in a progressive Seton Hill program that trains faculty in the use of advanced technologies inside and outside of the classroom.