As you probably know, folks here at the State Library, library partnership organizations (including the Regional Library Systems, OHIONET, LibLime, OLC) and librarians across the state have had several sessions and discussions on the opportunities and challenges of utilizing an Open Source Software Integrated Library System (OSS ILS). In fact I believe that it was nearly exactly a year ago (April 07) that we held the first State Library-initiated “statewide” meeting to discuss options.
Since then I have had the opportunity to talk with many directors who are anxious about the state of vendor-driven ILS, particularly with regard to Horizon 8.0.
Several months ago, we had a meeting to discuss roles and responsibilities surrounding the possibility of offering an OSS ILS in the state of Ohio. Representatives from all Regional Library Systems, Dianna Clark (SEO), Stephen Hedges, Joshua Ferraro (LibLime), Doug Evans, David Namiotka (Director of IT, State Library) and I were in attendance. Although OHIONET was not able to send a representative, Michael Butler was aware of the meeting and was updated at a later time.
We have continued to have conversations on this topic and several questions have been raised:
Who can and/or should house a solution?
What solutions are being offered across the state?
Who is interested in a consortial OSS ILS solution?
What is the correct business model?
Koha OSS ILS is being implemented across the state. We are very fortunate to have LibLime here in Ohio. But as yet there has not been an implementation of PINES Evergreen software which is what the State Library of Georgia has implemented for most of the public libraries in that state. Several library directors have asked if there is a role for the State Library of Ohio regarding offering PINES Evergreen software for building a consortium.
You all probably know that I am very supportive of anything that will assist librarians in providing excellent library service to the residents of our state. But this specific topic is multi-faceted and gives me some concern. Whatever happens with the OSS ILS offering in the state, especially in the consortial arena, has the potential to have an impact on SEO – both positive and negative. Because SEO is an integral part of the State Library, I would like to make that impact as positive as possible.
Dianna Clark, Director of SEO, and I have discussed this frankly and openly. One of the options that we have discussed is setting up an OSS ILS consortium at SEO for libraries who are interested in taking advantage of the Evergreen software as is currently available. We have discussed offering this AS IS while at the same time we identify functionality which would enhance this software.
Please note: IF this were to be done, this would be done as an additional service, NOT as a replacement of the Horizon consortium of SEO. Funding of this service would be independent of the Horizon consortium funding.
We are in discussions with Equinox to determine the feasibility of this. These discussions have just begun. I wanted to let you know this was happening. I brought this up to the Governing Board of SEO on Monday, March 31st. They were supportive of looking at this option.
As we move forward with these discussions, I promise that I will keep you all apprised. While we have cancelled the April 23rd videoconference, we still have one scheduled for May 21st. This may be an opportune time to bring you up-to-date on our ongoing discussions. Please watch for details in the upcoming weeks.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions regarding this, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you.
Jo Budler
State Librarian
Welcome to the Ohio Library Partnership blog!
Friday, April 4, 2008
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3 comments:
First off, why not replace the software SEO is using with Koha, it sounds like it currently has the needed level of functionality required to do the job, as opposed to Evergreen, which would require lots of development. Koha is popular in Ohio for a reason! Why create an alternative to SEO, with significantly less functionality, which will just breed confusion? Finally, why support an out-of-state vendor over an in-state one?
There are 2 basic reasons for investigating the option of implementing Evergreen in Ohio. The 2 reasons are: (1) Evergreen is currently in use in a statewide consortium and (2) several libraries in Ohio have expressed interest in utilizing this software. In the absence of complete detailed knowledge about specific benefits or limitations of either existing open source solution, we are looking to see how best to meet the expressed needs of libraries in Ohio.
Many libraries have different needs and each ILS meets those needs differently. The State Library has heard from many libraries around the state about open source ILS options and there has been a wide range of opinions. We have heard educated pro and con arguments for both Koha and Evergreen. The State Library is not in a position to force any library to choose a specific ILS. However, the State Library can assist and work with those libraries who have expressed interest in consortial implementations of automation software.
As was mentioned in the posting, this is not an attempt to replace SEO, but rather, it is an investigation to see what options there are to meet the needs of libraries and to facilitate resource sharing. The State Library is very interested in taking whatever steps are necessary to facilitate and increase resource sharing around the state.
This is a discussion that is still in the early stages. We are hearing from many libraries and we are continuing to investigate the options.
To address your last concern, while it is certainly an advantage to use an Ohio based company, it would not be in everyone’s best interest if we ignored other solutions simply because they were from another state or country. We must always be open to investigating appropriate solutions that best meet the needs of Ohio’s patrons and libraries.
As a final note, future blog comments will not be allowed as anonymous.
Thank you.
David Namiotka
State Library
I felt SirsiDynix presented a workable and proven solution for statewide borrowing and it did not require libraries to switch their current ILS platforms.
Not to start a religious war, but "open source", per se, has a price, too. Most all software, in a sense, is open source in the same way language is open source: Nobody holds a patent on the alphabet. It's what you do with the letters that counts, and a profit motive has provided pretty good motivation down through the years. Did the first ILS come out of open source? Give SD another look.
-Daniel Nixon
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