Update - October 2008

The Plan so far

•    Create a statewide "borderless library" that provides equal access to information for all Iowans
•    Create it using open source ILS software
•    Create it ourselves

What do libraries get?

•    An elegant, user-friendly, standards compliant OPAC
•    Powerful and flexible administration
•    Adaptable, Expansive Programming interfaces
•    The Open Source Advantage

Advantages of Proprietary Vendors

•    Turn-Key
•    Documentation and Support

Disadvantages of Proprietary Vendors

•    Restrictive Licenses
•    Who “owns” your data?
•    Migrations

Advantages of Open Source Software

•    Easy customization
•    Fast development
•    No License cost
•    Multiple options for support

Disadvantages of Open Source Software

•    “Free” doesn’t mean cheap
•    Documentation and support usually lag development

Why is the State Library considering open source?

•    Fits library model of openness
•    Successful implementation of Plone in PLOW
•    No per-user, per-library, per-transaction costs

Why Evergreen?

•    Developed by librarians for libraries
•    Developed for consortia
•    Supports an off-line capability
•    Runs on commodity hardware
•    Known to be able to scale 286 libraries

Assumptions - How

•    Participation is voluntary
•    Libraries of all types may participate
•    Growth rate must be regulated
•    Library may participate in  shared catalog first and later shared circulation
•    Non-automated libraries can become automated though the system
•    IT infrastructure will be hosted by the State Library
•    Libraries must maintain a high-speed connection to the Internet
•    Libraries will provide the staff workstations
•    The Locator and SILO Interlibrary Loan system will be maintained
•    The shared catalog will not replace the Locator
•    The shared catalog and the Locator will be synchronized

Public Catalog

•    Available over the Internet
•    Relevance-ranked search results
•    Sharable patron bookbags
•    Patron self-service interfaces
•    Title and Metarecord level holds
•    Vendor-independent added content integration
•    RSS/ATOM feeds from any search

Assumptions - Catalog & Collections

•    Libraries will continue to acquire and process their own items
•    Libraries will catalog items in the system, with OCLC or other cataloging utility
•    Bibliographic date will be matched and merged
•    Libraries will add item data
•    Current collections can be maintained

Assumptions - Circulation & Patrons

•    One statewide library card for participating libraries
•    One shared patron database
•    Patron database will be built from scratch
•    Each library honors patron confidentiality rules
•    System is set with default circulation policies but local libraries can change to reflect current practice regarding loan periods and fines

Assumptions - Training and Support

•    The State Library will provide training for local library staff
•    The State Library will provide telephone support
•    Telephone support will be provided whenever libraries are open

Anticipated Committees

•    Cataloging Standards
•    Circulation Policy
•    Administrative Rules
•    Security
•    Rights and Permissions
•    Advisory
•    Transition
•    Training

Resources Needed

•    Additional Staff
•    2 developers
•    1 program manager
•    2 trainers/consultants
•    1 support specialist
•    Equipment
•    Servers, etc.

Funding and Governance

•    Participating libraries will pay something
•    Expected to be less
•    Other funding sources
•    State funds
•    LSTA funding
•    Grants