Online Registration Comes to the Bentley

The Bentley Historical Library has launched a new online user registration system as of January 7, 2015.

The system will allow patrons to complete most of the registration process online, and to request materials from the collections online as well, instead of having to fill out request slips by hand. Other benefits of the new registration system include the ability to:

• Track the status of requests online. Users can watch the progress of each request to determine if an item has been retrieved, put on hold, or returned to storage.
• Store all request information in a single profile. This will allow users to review citation information regarding materials consulted at the Library.
• Plan upcoming research visits and review requests for materials that have already been used.
• Prepare and save requests online in advance of a visit. Upon arrival at the Bentley, users will have the requested materials already retrieved and placed on hold, making research more efficient.
• Create, submit, and track duplication orders online.

The new system will also improve the Bentley’s ability to handle the volume of requests it receives, to process reproduction orders, and to gather data that can help us analyze how our collections are being used. This, in turn, will allow us to strategize about how to focus our efforts on providing the most robust access possible to our holdings.

In implementing the new system, which uses Aeon software from Atlas Systems, the Bentley joins a distinguished group. Harvard, Yale, Princeton, the American Antiquarian Society, and Cornell University, among others, are all in the growing community of Aeon libraries.

In order to register in the new system, all users will need to register online, even those who have recently registered by manually filling out a registration card. The online registration takes only a few minutes.

If you have any questions, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.