Duluth, Ga., June 4, 2020: Equinox Open Library Initiative announces the development of Curbside Pickup for libraries using Evergreen ILS. The latest feature, expected to be available in June, was designed by Equinox and supported by the Pennsylvania Integrated Library System (PaILS), the non-profit which oversees SPARK, an Evergreen consortium in the state of Pennsylvania.
“PaILS is excited to sponsor the development of software functionality to assist libraries in offering curbside service,” said Lisa Rives Collens, President of the PaILS Board of Directors. “Only an open source ILS like Evergreen would be able to move so quickly to fill such an important need in the library community.”
Curbside Pickup extends existing functionality in Evergreen to coordinate curbside lending and expedite communications using the ILS. Patrons can select items in the catalog, place holds, arrange a pick up time, and notify the library upon arrival. A new tabbed interface will be available to library staff identifying new holds for pick up, to view or modify delivery times, and for preparing and checking out items to patrons. When patrons arrive at the library, they simply click a button in their library account to alert staff that they’re at the designated location for curbside delivery.
The new feature will support libraries as they adapt services to meet changing needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Equinox and the Evergreen community are working quickly and collaboratively in order to make the feature available as soon as possible.
“Our mission to empower libraries with open source technologies includes identifying emergent needs and working with partners and community members to address those needs,” said Lisa Carlucci, Executive Director. “Providing tools that support new workflows, safe practices, and create a positive service experience for patrons is one way we hope to help empower libraries during this critical time.”
About Equinox Open Library Initiative
Equinox Open Library Initiative Inc. is a nonprofit company engaging in literary, charitable, and educational endeavors serving cultural and knowledge institutions. As the successor to Equinox Software, Inc., the Initiative carries forward a decade of service and experience with Evergreen and other open source library software. At Equinox OLI we help you empower your library with open source technologies. To learn more, please visit https://www.equinoxinitiative.org/.
About Evergreen
Evergreen is an award-winning ILS developed to provide an open source product able to meet the diverse needs of consortia and high transaction public libraries. However, it has proven to be equally successful in smaller installations including special and academic libraries. Today, over 1500 libraries around the world are using Evergreen including NC Cardinal, SCLENDS, and B.C. Sitka. For more information about Evergreen, including a list of all known Evergreen installations, see http://evergreen-ils.org.