Edison, NJ – LMxAC is going through a rebranding to modernize and better represent its member libraries. Over the past few years the number of members has grown to 43, and the service area has expanded beyond Middlesex county into Union and Monmouth counties. Combined, the group of libraries have over 3.5 million physical items available for their patrons plus digital content in the form of eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and streaming video services.
“We spent months working through survey data and brainstorming names for the organization, and we hired a great design firm, Infinia Group, to bring all of our collective research together and design our brand concept,” said Eric Lozauskas, Executive Director at STELLA. “We realized that the name LMxAC didn’t fully represent all members since we had expanded outside of Middlesex county. We also wanted to take this opportunity to come up with a more memorable name while removing the old terminology of ‘Automation’ from the acronym. It’s a design we hope will resonate with our member libraries’ patrons and serve us well into the future.”
Member libraries are receiving window signage that reads “Member of STELLA” so that patrons can easily identify member libraries that are part of the consortium. This branding concept helps show patrons at which member libraries their cards are accepted. By having a card from a STELLA library, patrons enjoy access to any of the member locations, and the vast collection of items simply by placing a request through the catalog.
This name change comes at the same time the organization is launching their new Integrated Library System (ILS). Patrons will see the new online catalog and library app released with the STELLA branding, and a new website will be designed later this year.
STELLA is a nonprofit membership organization providing a wide range of services to its member libraries. The Consortium was established in 1986, and currently consists of 42 public libraries in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Union counties plus 1 academic library at Middlesex College. The primary purpose of the consortium is to operate a shared automation system for its members and to promote all aspects of cooperative automated projects and resource sharing so that a higher quality of library services will be provided to residents within our service area. STELLA develops, maintains and provides technological expertise; offers affordable, cost effective services to its member libraries; supports additional value-added services in the areas of collection development, continuing education for staff and trustees, marketing, consulting, and state and national library advocacy. For more information, please visit stellanj.org.