PALNI Information Exchange - Library Industry

Web Strategy

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:38:48 -0500

This is a very popular blog post from Jeremiah Owyang, a web strategist and analyst in SF CA. He spends most of his time traveling from tech conference to tech summit and hobnobs with the industry leaders.

I have been following his posts through a variety of platforms and get lots of great info from him. Anyway, this link is about the various software apps and platforms that are termed "white label", or easily integrated into, or used as the basis of, an existing brand and website. They include lots of social networking platforms as well as the CMS standards like Drupal, Joomla, Movable Type, Sharepoint, etc. The current PALNI website runs on a pre-packaged version of Drupal called CivicSpace.

Anyway, this is mainly just a "best of" list and a nice introduction to Jeremiah's blog. I know several librarians who follow his work and see more and more systems and web services librarians using web strategies like he describes to improve library integration and "market penetration".

INCOLSA Open-Source Partnership

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:10:16 -0400

News Article:

INCOLSA announced today that it has entered into an agreement with LibLime, an Athens, Ohio-based company, to offer new open-source automation solutions to INCOLSA member libraries. LibLime provides system support, migration, and customization services for open-source library systems, including both the Koha and Evergreen integrated library systems. Through its partnership with LibLime, INCOLSA will in turn be able to offer these services to its members. Koha has been in production in hundreds of libraries worldwide since early 2000, and Evergreen has received a good deal of attention lately as the foundation for the Georgia PINES resource-sharing network of 250+ public libraries.

INCOLSA and LibLime also jointly announced plans to migrate the Indiana Shared Library Catalog (ISLC) to a new, open-source Koha ZOOM integrated library system. The ISLC, which includes an art museum, the Indiana Supreme Court Library, and a number of small public and school libraries, will use the Koha ZOOM web OPAC, cataloging, circulation, acquisitions, and serials modules. ISLC's system will be hosted at INCOLSA, with system implementation and support provided by LibLime.

Top Management Change at Ex Libris

Thu, 10 May 2007 07:29:11 -0400

News Article:

Ex Libris just announced a new President of their North America operations. Here is the text of their press release:

Robert Mercer Appointed President
of Ex Libris North America

Experienced information technology executive to head North American operation

Boston, MA – May 8, 2007 Ex Libris Group is pleased to announce that Robert J. Mercer has been appointed president of the Ex Libris Group North American subsidiary, effective immediately. To ensure a smooth transition in the region, Dan Trajman, the current president of the North American operation, will remain with the company in a consulting capacity through the end of 2007.

Mr. Mercer brings to Ex Libris over 15 years’ experience in customer-facing executive positions in technology companies. As a regional vice president and general manager of SAS Institute, Inc., Mr. Mercer increased customer satisfaction, delivered value-added products and services, established customer partnerships, and took new products to market. As a result, he achieved growth of greater than 40%--making SAS the number one provider of business intelligence solutions in his region. Prior to his role at SAS, Mr. Mercer held senior managerial positions at Dell Computer Corporation.

"We are very pleased to welcome Robert to the Ex Libris management team," commented Matti Shem Tov, president and CEO of Ex Libris Group. "Robert brings with him a strong background in building and leading teams and a proven track record in delivering solutions that exceed customer expectations. I believe that these qualifications, combined with his excellent sales, marketing, and operations background, will be tremendous assets to the Company and its customers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dan for his important contribution to our North American operation and wish him continued success in his future activities. "

"I am excited to be joining such a creative, forward-looking company with a large, active customer base," noted Mr. Mercer. "I have been impressed with the strength and clarity of the strategic direction presented by Ex Libris to continue providing the evolving library automation industry with the most effective technological solutions. I look forward to meeting our customers at the upcoming user and industry events next month."

Mr. Mercer holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from University College, Cardiff, in Wales, UK.

INCOLSA's INSPIRE Wins Top Innovation Award

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 10:46:57 -0500

News Article:

INCOLSA was awarded the 2007 WebFeat President's Award for Innovation for its INSPIRE Services. Margaret Mohundro, INCOLSA's Director of INSPIRE, received the award at the January, 2007 ALA Mid-Winter Meeting in Seattle.

INCOLSA uses WebFeat to implement web-based federated searching of the INSPIRE databases. The PALNI OPAC is included among the more than 40 online databases that can be searched in parallel through the INSPIRESearch web interface.

INSPIRE
Innovation
Award

INCOLSA is the recipient of the 2007 WebFeat President's Award for Innovation for its INSPIRE service. The award recognizes innovation in design and function in state-of-the-art information systems.

The WebFeat President's Award for Innovation is presented to libraries with the most innovative federated search systems in each of three categories -- academic libraries, public libraries, and multitype library networks. The winners were chosen from more than 30 nominees for bold innovation in the design of their federated search interfaces and for functionality. INCOLSA was noted for its quality of federated searching integration with the existing INSPIRE Web pages and for its management of INSPIRE's challenging user authentication service. Other winners include Dartmouth College and Cuyahoga County Public Library (Cleveland, OH). Federated search systems allow users to view materials from many online sources using a single search engine. INCOLSA began implementation of INSPIRE federated searching in 2005, and launched the new service in April, 2006.

INCOLSA is the Indiana library network providing leadership in statewide cooperative library activities including resource sharing, training, OCLC services, and the INSPIRE virtual library. INSPIRE puts a research library on the desktop of every Hoosier, with 30 online databases offering 10,000 magazines, encyclopedias, almanacs, and other resources to meet the information needs of all residents of Indiana. Since its inception in 1998, Indiana citizens have searched INSPIRE more than 80 million times. INSPIRE is funded in part by the Indiana General Assembly and by federal LSTA grants.

Additional information: http://www.webfeat.org/releases/4Jan07_Awards07.htm

Acquisition/Merger of Endeavor with Ex Libris Now Complete

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 15:03:10 -0500

News Article:

Here is the email that was distributed this afternoon, 12/22, on some of the Ex Libris listserv's about the acquisition of Endeavor Informations Systems by Francisco Partners, and the merger of Endeavor and Ex Libris. An FAQ document with more details is also attached (click on the attachment link at the bottom of the article).

21 December 2006

Dear Customers,

I am happy to report that earlier today, Francisco Partners successfully completed its acquisition of Endeavor Information Systems, Inc. The acquisition, originally announced just a few weeks ago, results in the merging of Endeavor with Ex Libris Group. So, for those of you who are new to Ex Libris Group, I would like to extend my warmest welcome to each of you! For those of you who have been Ex Libris customers for some time, let me take this opportunity to thank each of you for your continued support of Ex Libris products and services.

The combined entity now offers a best-of-breed suite of library software and service offerings, deployed at more than 4,000 institutions around the world. In recent weeks, the combined management team has developed a comprehensive product roadmap outlining future plans for each offering. As stated initially, we plan to develop, support, and actively sell both flagship integrated library systems - ALEPH 500 and Voyager. New versions of both products are on track for their scheduled releases in 2007.

Looking ahead, we plan to increase the resources invested in Voyager while we maintain the same high level of resources dedicated to ALEPH. With regard to our other product offerings, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document which accompanies this message.

This is a very exciting time for the Ex Libris Group and our customers as we have now joined two strong, visionary organizations. Our expanded research and development team positions us to bring market-leading solutions to you much more quickly. In addition, our combined resources will enable us to continue our commitment of delivering high-quality service and maintaining true partnerships with each of you.

As always, our aim during this transition is to deliver the same high-quality, uninterrupted service and support. I look forward to meeting with as many of you as possible in the upcoming months at industry events, Ex Libris seminars, and user group meetings where we will have an opportunity to share with you our product vision and discuss our joint future.

Best regards,

Matti Shem Tov
President and CEO
Ex Libris Group

Open Source Evergreen System at Georgia PINES

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 21:38:00 -0500

News Article:

Open source is looking more and more like a practical option for integrated library systems. Here is an article about the open source Evergreen system that the Georgia Public Library Service (University System of Georgia) has developed to support their PINES network of libraries.

Evergreen powers the GPLS' network of libraries, PINES (Public Information Network for Electronic Services), consisting of 44 different public library systems in 123 counties covering almost the entire state of Georgia -- 252 member libraries in all. The system has 8.8 million items in its index and 1.6 million active cardholders. In fiscal year 2006, there were almost half a million loans made between its libraries.

GPLS is also responsible for GALILEO, which served as an early model for Indiana's INSPIRE system.

Ex Libris and Endeavor To Merge!

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 15:50:39 -0500

News Article:
Ex Libris and Endeavor are about to merge, according to this announcement by Matti Shem Tov, Ex Libris CEO and President, that was distributed today on various Ex Libris listserv's:

2006 November 21

Dear Ex Libris Customers,

Only a few weeks ago I wrote to tell you that Francisco Partners had completed the acquisition of Ex Libris.

In keeping with their plans to build and further invest in Ex Libris, I'm delighted to be able to share with you the news that Francisco Partners plan to make a further acquisition and today announced that a definitive acquisition agreement for the purchase of Endeavor Information Systems Inc. has been signed. We expect the deal to be completed by the end 2006 at which time the Endeavor organisation will merge with Ex Libris, operating as a single company with the Ex Libris name.

Both Ex Libris and Endeavor have a long tradition of providing leading edge, best of breed solutions to the academic and research library marketplace. With the combined strength of Ex Libris and Endeavor management, staff, customer bases and product lines we will become the largest supplier in this market segment and further strengthen our global presence.

Over the coming weeks the management teams in Ex Libris and Endeavor will be working together on a detailed integration plan for Endeavor staff and product roadmaps for our combined product portfolio. Regular updates will be provided and the attached FAQ document will serve to answer some of your immediate questions.

This is an exciting time for us all and a great opportunity for us to join two strong and visionary organisations. With our joint R&D we will be better placed to bring leading edge solutions to market quicker while continuing to build on our foundation of high quality service and partnership with all our customers.

I'm sure you will all join me in welcoming the Endeavor customers to the Ex Libris family. I look forward to meeting many of you at Mid Winter ALA and the Ex Libris seminars in the coming months and sharing with you our vision for our joint future building on the best of Ex Libris and Endeavor.

Sincerely yours,

Matti Shem Tov
President and CEO, Ex Libris

An FAQ document from Ex Libris is attached that includes more information about what is happening. Also, see the July 26, 2006 posting to this web site, Ex Libris to be Acquired by Francisco Partners, for more information on the company that has now acquired and is merging both Ex Libris and Endeavor.

Podcasts

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 15:36:03 -0400

One of the sponsors of the Computers in Libraries conference I went to a couple of weeks ago was PALINET, an organization serving the east coast who's mission is not all that unlike INCOLSA's mission. One of the cool things they were flaunting was a new podcast series - something I've been wanting to do here for quite some time. They have two series up now, one on general technology conversations and another on institutional repositories (which, if you don't know what that is, you should look into it!).

I'm wondering how to leverage the power of podcasting for PALNI. There's a lot of possibilities there, but it needs to be done in a way that returns the most value to our schools. Meanwhile, I'm getting my podcast fix in one of my library classes, L563 with Prof. Mary Alice Ball. You can check out our website we've build here. It's members only, but you can get a feel for what we've done. As part of our class, we are all recording podcasts in a couple of weeks. I don't know what will come of it, but it will at least be good practice.

Microsoft releases Live Academic Search

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 16:21:05 -0400

News Article:
Microsoft announced today that has released its Live Academic Search tool at http://academic.live.com. This is Microsoft's answer to Google Scholar.

According to the press releases, Microsoft has a formal partnership with Ex Libris on this project. Microsoft's approach is fundamentally different than Google's in the sense that Microsoft is gaining content for its site by formal partnerships with vendors, whereas Google searches freely available content.

A good news article on the release can be viewed here.

Primo - the catalog of tomorrow?

Mon, 03 Apr 2006 15:21:51 -0400

By now a lot of people have heard about 'Primo', the OPAC project that Ex Libris is working on to create a 'next-generation' OPAC. And none too soon; there are plenty of people out there doing cool things that make the Ex Libris OPAC look outdated. They are not the only one, almost every LIS vendor out there right now has an OPAC project with a spiffy name.

At CIL, I attended a presentation by Roy Tennant of California Digital Library and Andrew Pace of North Carolina State University Libraries. The NC State OPAC has gotten considerable attention, and I know it has made the rounds on the PALNI listservs. This session was great, and a couple of things stood out:

1. The term 'OPAC' is apparently anathema now. It's back to 'catalog'. And rightfully so. Most patrons don't know what an 'opac' is. It's jargon. Plus, the term 'catalog' better defines what the application is supposed to be doing in the first place. The catalog is just a tool. It's not the be-all-end-all application that will serve all of a patron's needs.

2. Most of the cool stuff being done right now, and the NC State catalog is no exception, is being done in spite of the underlying integrated library system. NC State went with a web design company that had not previously worked with libraries, and came up with a cool and innovative tool.

Ex Libris Financial Developments

Mon, 09 Jan 2006 15:33:03 -0500

News Article:

See this American Libraries announcement (scroll to the bottom of the article) for news about some recent Ex Libris financial developments. Evidently, Ex Libris founder, Azriel Morag, recently sold his financial interest in Ex Libris. Also, Ex Libris has dropped its previously announced plans to do a $15 Million IPO. I wonder what significance this has, if any?

Google Sued Again Over Digital Library Project

Mon, 24 Oct 2005 08:34:25 -0400

The American Association of Publishers (AAP) has sued Google over its digital library plans. The AAP, which includes McGraw-Hill, Simon & Schuster, and John Wiley & Sons publishers, filed suit against Google last week, claiming that the Google Print digital library project will violate their copyrights. See this Guardian article for the details. The AAP lawsuit follows a previous law suit filed by the Author's Guild against Google on similar grounds.

Here is an interesting response from Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, that describes what Google is trying to accomplish with its Google Print project . . .

"Imagine sitting at your computer and, in less than a second, searching the full text of every book ever written. Imagine an historian being able to instantly find every book that mentions the Battle of Algiers. Imagine a high school student in Bangladesh discovering an out-of-print author held only in a library in Ann Arbor. Imagine one giant electronic card catalog that makes all the world's books discoverable with just a few keystrokes by anyone, anywhere, anytime.

That's the vision behind Google Print, a program we introduced last fall to help users search through the oceans of information contained in the world's books. Recently, some members of the publishing industry who believe this program violates copyright law have been fighting to stop it. We respectfully disagree with their conclusions, on both the meaning of the law and the spirit of a program which, in fact, will enhance the value of each copyright."

Read the full Schmidt article about why Google does not think their digital library project violates copyright law.

INCOLSA State Funding Cut Partially Restored

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 23:29:35 -0400

News Article:

On a 4 to 1 vote, the Indiana Library and Historical Board (ILHB) voted today, 10/14, to restore about half of the 15% of INCOLSA's state funding that the ILHB previously voted to cut at their June meeting. Restoration of 8% of the overall 15% funding cut is very important to maintaining the quality of INCOLSA services and programs. The remaining 7% cut in state funds was mandated by the State for all State agencies, and remains in effect.

In addition, the ILHB approved a set of LSTA grant proposals by INCOLSA to provide technology training and support, professional development, and INSPIRE support for INCOLSA member libraries. For the details, see this 10/14/2005 posting by Larry Frye to the 'INCOLSA-L' email list (available only to 'INCOLSA-L' list subscribers).

Get Out Your Check Books . . .

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 15:32:02 -0400

News Article:

. . . Ex Libris Looking To Raise $15M in IPO

NISO Authentication Methods Report

Mon, 10 Oct 2005 13:02:20 -0400

News Article:

A new report has been released by the NISO Metasearch Initiative entitled "Ranking of Authentiation and Access Methods Available to the Metasearch Environment". This article is interesting and provides good commentary on the different types of authentication methods that are available, particularly as they relate to metasearching.

PALNI Information Exchange - Library Industry

Web Strategy

INCOLSA Open-Source Partnership

Top Management Change at Ex Libris

Robert Mercer Appointed Presidentof Ex Libris North America

INCOLSA's INSPIRE Wins Top Innovation Award

Acquisition/Merger of Endeavor with Ex Libris Now Complete

Open Source Evergreen System at Georgia PINES

Ex Libris and Endeavor To Merge!

Podcasts

Microsoft releases Live Academic Search

Primo - the catalog of tomorrow?

Ex Libris Financial Developments

Google Sued Again Over Digital Library Project

INCOLSA State Funding Cut Partially Restored

Get Out Your Check Books . . .

NISO Authentication Methods Report

Robert Mercer Appointed President
of Ex Libris North America