"Spectrum 5's new feature set continues the Spectrum tradition of giving library professionals the powerful tools they need to manage their libraries efficiently," said John Kockler, Spectrum product manager. "Patrons of all ages appreciate the new, more intuitive user interface, while new HTML reports, advance booking, and the Quick Add window enhance efficiency and usability for library professionals and staff."

According to the company, Spectrum 5 features an updated user interface with a new navigation toolbar that makes it easier to use. Other updates include the following:

Circulation
Seamless integration with the optional Spectrum-in-Hand palm computing unit saves time with fast, easy circulation from anywhere and at-the-shelf inventory.

Spectrum's advance booking lets librarians and media center staff (and patrons, if given permission) reserve items for a specified date, ensuring material availability.

Spectrum lets librarians and media center staff view patron photos, helping them recognize and identify patrons and increasing security. Librarians and media center staff can also load and link patron photos in a batch.

Catalog
Spectrum's optional Visual Search module offers patrons customizable, icon-based searching, with hundreds of preconfigured buttons. Visual Search lets users click through a hierarchy of graphical buttons, each representing a single subject.

Reports and Notices
Spectrum's HTML-based reports let librarians and media center staff convert or cut and paste report data created in either Windows or Macintosh to an HTML report format.

Global Subject Edit
Librarians and media center staff can change subjects globally.

Online Help
Spectrum's complete online Help system includes step-by-step instructions, examples that show how to complete a process, and reference information.

Source: Sagebrush Corp., Minneapolis, 800/328-2923, 952/656-2953; http://www.sagebrushcorp.com.