1. NC Shared ILS (Integrated Library System) Library Cooperation Summit Boone, NC August 12, 2009

2. What is the mission? Provide a shared catalog of North Carolina public library resources and a statewide lending and delivery network by June 2012.

3. Steps toward the goal Goal: To create a plan for developing a shared catalog and a statewide lending and delivery network for NC. Objectives: 1. Survey North Carolina public libraries to gain a clear picture of automation systems and catalogs in the state. [By August 2009] 2. Present a Library Cooperation Summit II at the August 2009 NCPLDA meeting to provide a progress update and take the next steps toward building a statewide shared catalog for public libraries in North Carolina. [By August 2009]

4. Steps toward the goal - 2 3. Develop a working group to provide leadership for the project. [By September 2009] 4. Identify an initial group of public libraries ready to take part in the first phase of the project. [By March 2010] 5. Develop a plan for a shared statewide catalog that includes governance, a timeline for implementation, a budget, and a sustainability program. [By April 2010]

5. Survey asked… How many patron records does each library currently have? How many bibliographic records does each library currently have? How much is each library paying for its ILS?

6. The libraries have 3,892,064 registered patrons.

7. Their catalogs contain 3,425,505 item records. # of records range from the smallest at 24,000 to the largest at 1.5 mil

8. Total ongoing costs are substantial. 64 library systems pay $1,485,619 $.05 $.11 $.27 Lowest cost Average cost per item Highest cost 17 libraries < $.10 37 libraries = $.10 to $.19 8 = $.20 to $.27

9. The next set of questions… What library automation vendor do you use? Are you satisfied with your current ILS? Would you consider changing to a different vendor?

10. NC Library ILS Vendors 7 different vendors are used in North Carolina. 12 Polaris 22 SirsiDynix 26 The Library Corporation 2 VTLS Inc. 2 Innovative Interfaces 1 Highlands 1 Infor Library Solutions Vubis Smart

11. Are you satisfied with your vendor? No MaybeYes 1014 40 Not Satisfied Not Completely Satisfied Satisfied

12. 12 29 21 No Maybe Yes Would you change vendors?

13. And finally… Would you consider participating in a shared statewide catalog?

14. 77 North Carolina Public Libraries 40 replied yes, 22 replied maybe, 4 replied no, and 11 did not respond

15. Why this? Why now? You asked for it. Results from last year’s Resource Sharing Summit: Statewide borrowing and delivery Open source ILS Netflix delivery model Full OCLC membership

16. Why this? Why now? - 2 It’s becoming feasible. Development of consortial software LSTA plan and funding

17. What are the options? 1. Use existing software (such as Z39.50 client capability) to search multiple existing catalogs. It wouldn’t require you to change much, but… it doesn’t get you much further along than you already are.

18. What are the options? - 2 2. Build on a shared database that already exists (OCLC WorldCat). The UNC system is working on this approach, but… most of you don’t catalog and update your holdings in OCLC.

19. What are the options? - 3 14 public libraries have uploaded their catalog records into OCLC within the last 2 years 9 upload on a daily basis 1 uploads quarterly 4 upload annually 52 public libraries do not upload their records into the OCLC World Cat database on a regular basis

20. What are the options? - 4 3. Creating a new shared database It will require a fair amount of work, but… it will provide a platform for the things you’ve said you want, and… we’re prepared to help if you’re ready to move forward.

21. What’s all this about open source? Software that can be freely used, modified, and distributed by anyone Improved versions are made available to all users without charge It’s a factor in this project, but not the driving factor

22. Problems in the past Until recently, no ILS was designed for use in a consortium of independent libraries Policies had to be the same for every participant Unable to handle large numbers of simultaneous circulation transactions

23. Solutions in the Present Georgia Public Library Service developed an open source ILS called Evergreen. Available to anyone who wants to use it Designed to work in a consortium Designed to handle multiple policies Designed to support high volume transactions

24. Solutions in the Present - 2 Several states have established shared ILS consortia based on Evergreen Georgia Indiana Michigan South Carolina

25. Solutions in the present - 3 There is another open source ILS, Koha, but… It has not been installed in an environment as large as ours, and… We’re not sure that it would work well.

26. What will a North Carolina Shared Catalog look like? Centrally hosted servers and software A single database of bibliographic records A single database of patron records Central support staff to aid in operating the system

27. Benefits of a Shared ILS Libraries will not have to host their own ILS hardware and software No more local database server upgrades Centrally-managed software updates Local IT staff can focus on other things

28. Benefits of a Shared ILS - 2 Shared bibliographic database will enable: Global cleanup and upload of every participant’s holdings records into OCLC Availability of more bib records to use when adding new items to your collection

29. Benefits of a Shared ILS - 3 The shared database can be presented to the user in many ways: by collection by library by group of libraries statewide Easier way for patrons to see holdings statewide Improved foundation for ILL both in-state and beyond

30. Benefits of a Shared ILS - 4 Shared patron database will enable: Use of existing records to identify and register patrons who already have cards from other libraries Awareness of patron issues in other libraries Eventual implementation of a statewide library card

31. Barriers to a Shared ILS Existing vendor contracts Existing multi-type consortia Migration preparation and costs for each library Duplicate barcodes (patron, item) Duplicate records / database cleanup Bandwidth issues for some libraries

32. Barriers to a Shared ILS - 2 Source of funds for ongoing costs LSTA funds to begin, but probably not enough to implement fully State funding unlikely in current circumstances Local contributions may be necessary Concerns about local autonomy and collection integrity

33. How will a shared ILS be managed? Formation of a Working Group of public library representatives to draw up membership and governance documents Agreement with a services vendor to provide migration and technical support Development of a timeline for moving forward

34. Working Group Next Meeting The Wiki http://ncsharedcatalog.pbworks.com/