Multilingual Mapping and Custom Support in Tel Aviv

At Gitter-Smolarz Library in Tel Aviv, accessibility and ease of navigation have always been top priorities. When the library sought a solution to improve user experience, StackMap emerged as the perfect fit. We spoke to Irit Kloner Margalit, Information Systems Coordinator, about their success with StackMap.

Prior to implementing StackMap, librarians played a hands-on role in guiding patrons to books and specific areas within the library:

“We used to have librarians that could guide patrons to the books or areas they needed, but eventually, they were reassigned to other tasks within the library. This left circulation desk librarians as the main point of guidance—until StackMap came along. We began implementing StackMap in 2023, and since completing the process, we have received fantastic feedback from both patrons and librarians.”

A key benefit of StackMap has been its ability to integrate seamlessly with the library’s Hebrew and English catalogs—an essential feature for a diverse user base.

“With several collections and diverse call number types, we were curious to see how the integration would adapt to our unique needs. It has been amazing to have an open line of communication with StackMap, knowing that our feedback is always valued—especially when we request new features for our Collection Mapping integration.”

Beyond enhancing patron experience, the Gitter-Smolarz Library team has found StackMap’s Dashboard to be a valuable tool for managing data updates and changes internally:

“It is incredibly easy for us to manage our data. Since we are located in Israel, we appreciate not having to wait for support from the other side of the world—we can handle data changes ourselves using the Dashboard. Even when we have encountered major data changes requiring StackMap’s support team, they have been extremely quick to identify and resolve the issue.”

Thanks to StackMap, patrons at Gitter-Smolarz Library can now easily locate books, resources, and special collections, regardless of their preferred catalog language. The library’s successful implementation showcases how StackMap can support institutions with multilingual catalogs while providing a user-friendly experience for both patrons and staff.

– Irit Kloner Margalit, Information Systems Coordinator, Gitter-Smolarz Library