1. The New Western New York School Library Union Catalog
Important News and Information

2. The WNYSLS OPALS Union Catalog
This summer the School Library Systems of Western New York and the WNYRIC Library Automation Team objective was to develop and implement a Union Catalog that would meet the expectations and growing needs of the library media specialist.
We collectively examined the needs of the users and applied these requirements to produce a Union Catalog that will allow you the ease of searching across the catalog within your own district or across multiple WNY regions.

3. Details about the OPALS Union Catalog
What is OPALS?
How will the New WNYSLS Catalog benefit those I service?
The term OPALS is an acronym for OPen-source Automated Library System.
OPALS provides Internet access to information databases, library collections and digital archives.
The new WNYSLS Union Catalog is now available to explore with new searching capabilities (Lexile)within a library’s collection.
The new reporting features will enable all users to better track ILL requests and responses as well as individual site statistics.

4. When Can I log in to the Union Catalog?
Searching the Union catalog is available now.
Advanced Features such as Logging in, ILL requests/ ILL responses will be available starting Wednesday, Sept.4th
It is highly recommended that all Library Media Center staff view all the training videos provided. Videos URL:

5. Any Questions or Concerns?
Please contact the Orleans/Niagara BOCES School Library System Office at x if you have questions.
Please note that at the end of October there will be a training available to all aides and School Librarians with Todd Catalano from Erie 1 BOCES.