6 - 2024 - Equinox Open Library Initiative

Equinox Announces Q2 Open Source Project Contributions for Evergreen ILS

Atlanta, Ga., June 24, 2024: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce Q2 open source project contributions to Evergreen ILS. Equinox worked closely with two long standing partners: the Evergreen Community Development Initiative (ECDI) and the King County Library System (KCLS) to design and develop these new features and updates.

With KCLS, Equinox continued to work on accessibility improvements in the Evergreen staff catalog. The latest pieces of this work focused on the circulation interfaces, building on work completed earlier by KCLS developers. In addition, Equinox worked with KCLS and Midwest Tape to add a new form of acquisitions messaging using the X12 standard. This will permit libraries to streamline materials and facilitate ordering from a wider variety of vendors.

Equinox worked with ECDI to update the existing Record Buckets feature. Staff users will now be able to mark buckets as favorites and take advantage of updates to the shared-bucket function. This new update brings the interface into a more modern web framework and includes numerous usability and feature updates.

This quarter’s development work brings Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) to Evergreen’s staff client. This development will support several types of MFA factors and will feature a variety of options for the local Evergreen administrator to configure. Equinox partnered with ECDI to complete this major infrastructural update to Evergreen.

“Adding MFA support is key for modern security practices,” said Andrea Buntz Neiman, Project Manager for Software Development at Equinox. “We’re grateful to the Evergreen Community Development Initiative for their partnership on this project, and to the King County Library System for their continued focus on accessibility.”

Follow Equinox Open Library Initiative on Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

To receive news directly in your inbox: https://www.equinoxOLI.org/#signup

For more information:
Laura Barry
Communications Coordinator
Equinox Open Library Initiative
EquinoxOLI.org
laura.barry@equinoxOLI.org
877.OPEN.ILS (877.673.6457)

About Equinox Open Library Initiative
Equinox Open Library Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is the successor to Equinox Software, Inc. Equinox’s mission as a nonprofit is to promote and support a thriving ecosystem for open source library communities in order to provide libraries worldwide with innovative open source solutions. Equinox is devoted to reducing barriers to library technology and services, expanding library access to open source software, and providing high quality technology, consulting, and support services. To learn more, please visit https://www.equinoxOLI.org.

About Evergreen
Evergreen Integrated Library System is an award winning and trusted library solution used by more than 1,800 libraries worldwide. Evergreen ILS is a web-based and mobile-friendly system which provides attractive, easy to use interfaces for library acquisitions, administration, cataloging, circulation, OPAC, reports, course reserves, and serials functionality.

Evergreen ILS is an enterprise level system designed to manage a scalable catalog shared across libraries, including large public and academic library consortia. While designed for large collections, Evergreen is suitable for libraries of any size and type from government to museum and special collection libraries. Its flexibility enables libraries to configure policies and settings that work best for their communities and to maintain ownership of their library and systems data.

For more information on Evergreen: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/evergreen/.

About Koha ILS
Created in 1999 by Katipo Communications for the Horowhenua Library Trust in New Zealand, Koha Integrated Library System is the first open source Integrated Library System to be used worldwide. For more information on Koha: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/koha/.

About CORAL ERM
CORAL is an electronic resources management system consisting of interoperable modules designed around the core components of managing electronic resources for libraries and other organizations. For more information on CORAL: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/coral/.

About SubjectsPlus
SubjectsPlus is a user-friendly, open source, content management system for information sharing. SubjectsPlus provides tools to create information-rich subject guides, organize curated content for specific audiences in or around a research topic, and to develop and manage library websites. For more information on SubjectsPlus: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/subjectsplus/.

About Fulfillment
Fulfillment is an open source interlibrary loan management system which leverages intuitive design and efficient workflows to maximize value and impact for libraries. Fulfillment provides community members expanded access to library resources across their state and beyond their consortium. For more information on Fulfillment: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/fulfillment/.

About Aspen Discovery
Aspen Discovery is an open source discovery layer that powerfully gathers all of a library’s resources together into a single search. Aspen Discovery provides comprehensive access to the entirety of a library’s holdings, pulling in data from the ILS and licensed databases. For more information on Aspen Discovery: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/aspen-discovery/.

About VuFindⓇ
VuFindⓇ is an open source discovery product for libraries and archives developed and maintained by Villanova University’s Falvey Memorial Library. VuFindⓇ enables library users to discover the entirety of libraries’ collections, including catalog records, journals, digital items, and more. VuFindⓇ is open source and customizable—the interface may be configured to best meet users’ needs. For more information on VuFindⓇ: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/vufind/.

Equinox Open Source Grant Renewed for the Center for Khmer Studies

Atlanta, Ga., June 18, 2024: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce that the Equinox Open Source Grant for the Center for Khmer Studies (CKS) has been extended for a second three year cycle.

“At the Center for Khmer Studies, we continue to leverage our Koha library management system with the generous support from Equinox Open Library Initiative,” said Sivleng Chhor, Head Librarian at the Center for Khmer Studies. “Our online collection has grown to over 20,000 records and served over 550,000 visitors from all continents. Furthermore, our Koha catalog has been a model for libraries in Cambodia, and our librarians are proud to help train other local librarians on cataloging with Koha.”

The Center for Khmer Studies promotes research, teaching, and public service pertaining to the social sciences, arts, and humanities in Cambodia and the Mekong region. The Center for Khmer Studies not only supports academic researchers but is open to the general public.

Over the last year alone, with the support of the Equinox Open Source Grant, the Center for Khmer Studies saw 111,000 visitors engaged with their online catalog. This is in addition to having Center for Khmer Studies materials appear in Google search results for the first time. This has increased the visibility of the collection around the world and allowed the Center for Khmer Studies to apply for additional grant funding to expand and digitize the collection based on this new demand for its resources.

In 2023, building on their experience with Koha ILS, the Center for Khmer Studies conducted training on library management and cataloging for librarians from the National Museum of Cambodia, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Pehn, and the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum in Siem Reap.

“Before Koha, the Center for Khmer Studies told us that they suffered frequent server crashes, lost data and work, downtime, and limited online access,” said Galen Charlton. “Koha has allowed them the stability to grow, and, here at Equinox, we are happy to continue to collaborate with the Center for Khmer studies as they support researchers around the globe and focus on their patrons and community.”

First launched in 2019, the Equinox Open Source Grant was inspired by the belief that every community deserves to benefit from a searchable, accessible, and thriving library. Information about past grant cycles can be found by visiting: https://www.equinoxoli.org/collaborate/#grant.

Follow Equinox Open Library Initiative on Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

To receive news directly in your inbox: https://www.equinoxOLI.org/#signup

For more information:
Laura Barry
Communications Coordinator
Equinox Open Library Initiative
EquinoxOLI.org
laura.barry@equinoxOLI.org
877.OPEN.ILS (877.673.6457)

About Equinox Open Library Initiative
Equinox Open Library Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is the successor to Equinox Software, Inc. Equinox’s mission as a nonprofit is to promote and support a thriving ecosystem for open source library communities in order to provide libraries worldwide with innovative open source solutions. Equinox is devoted to reducing barriers to library technology and services, expanding library access to open source software, and providing high quality technology, consulting, and support services. To learn more, please visit https://www.equinoxOLI.org.

About Koha ILS
Created in 1999 by Katipo Communications for the Horowhenua Library Trust in New Zealand, Koha Integrated Library System is the first open source Integrated Library System to be used worldwide. For more information on Koha: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/koha/.

Equinox Welcomes West Plains Public Library to Evergreen with the Missouri Evergreen Consortium

Atlanta, Ga., June 17, 2024: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce that the West Plains Public Library has joined the Evergreen community as part of their membership with the Missouri Evergreen Consortium.

“We are excited to announce our migration to the Missouri Evergreen Library Consortium, seamlessly facilitated by the professionalism of the Equinox staff,” said Greg Carter, Library Manager at West Plains Public Library. “Their expertise in working alongside my staff ensured a smooth transition, allowing our patrons to effortlessly access an impressive 4.5 million items through the Evergreen network.”

The West Plains Public Library works to foster innovation and collaboration within the community of West Plains, Missouri. Their migration adds about 4,500 patrons to the Missouri Evergreen Consortium and 87,000 bibliographic records. Equinox provided implementation and training services during the migration and will continue to provide hosting and technical support.

The Missouri Evergreen Consortium is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which began in 2012. Learn more at: http://moevergreenlibraries.org/

“The West Plains Public Library staff have been a great group of people to work with and were enthusiastic throughout the process,” said Rogan Hamby, Data and Project Manager at Equinox. “Working with the communities of libraries that are a part of open source projects like Evergreen is a source of great inspiration, and we are already seeing new ideas come out of West Plains. We are happy to welcome the West Plains Public Library to the Missouri Evergreen Consortium.”

Follow Equinox Open Library Initiative on Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

To receive news directly in your inbox: https://www.equinoxOLI.org/#signup

For more information:
Laura Barry
Communications Coordinator
Equinox Open Library Initiative
EquinoxOLI.org
laura.barry@equinoxOLI.org
877.OPEN.ILS (877.673.6457)

About Equinox Open Library Initiative
Equinox Open Library Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is the successor to Equinox Software, Inc. Equinox’s mission as a nonprofit is to promote and support a thriving ecosystem for open source library communities in order to provide libraries worldwide with innovative open source solutions. Equinox is devoted to reducing barriers to library technology and services, expanding library access to open source software, and providing high quality technology, consulting, and support services. To learn more, please visit https://www.equinoxOLI.org.

About Evergreen
Evergreen Integrated Library System is an award winning and trusted library solution used by more than 1,800 libraries worldwide. Evergreen ILS is a web-based and mobile-friendly system which provides attractive, easy to use interfaces for library acquisitions, administration, cataloging, circulation, OPAC, reports, course reserves, and serials functionality.

Evergreen ILS is an enterprise level system designed to manage a scalable catalog shared across libraries, including large public and academic library consortia. While designed for large collections, Evergreen is suitable for libraries of any size and type from government to museum and special collection libraries. Its flexibility enables libraries to configure policies and settings that work best for their communities and to maintain ownership of their library and systems data.

For more information on Evergreen: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/evergreen/.

Equinox Presents on Resource Sharing and Open Source Development at the 2024 American Library Association Annual Conference

Atlanta, GA, June 11, 2024: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce that Galen Charlton, Implementation and IT Manager, will be presenting at the 2024 American Library Association Annual Conference in San Diego, California. The Equinox team will also be available throughout the conference by appointment. Full conference details are available here: https://2024.alaannual.org/.

On Sunday, June 30, 2024, Charlton will be presenting “Optimizing Resource Sharing: Evidence Based Approaches for Improving the Efficiency of Borrowing Networks,” at 9:00 am PT in the San Diego Conference Center, Room 5A. To add this to the ALA scheduler please visit: https://cdmcd.co/8Y3W4P.

“The efficient sharing of physical materials is a core service for many libraries, one that expands the reach and value of their collections,” said Galen Charlton. “Sharing materials at scale is a complicated optimization problem. The upcoming session on resource sharing will give an overview of how to analyze the performance of policies and procedures for sharing physical materials in a library resource-sharing network and will include a demonstration of open source tools to analyze and visualize resource sharing among real-life institutions.”

Charlton will also present at the session, “From User Group to Community: Software for Libraries, by Libraries,” organized by The Evergreen Project, on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 2:30 pm PT at the Marriott Marquis, Miramar Room. This presentation will highlight how the open source community model empowers libraries to be actively involved in software development improvements that provide the most benefit to library communities. This event can be added to the ALA scheduler here: https://cdmcd.co/bRRJPj.

Follow Equinox Open Library Initiative on Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest updates. To receive news directly in your inbox: https://www.equinoxOLI.org/#signup

For more information:
Laura Barry
Communications Coordinator
Equinox Open Library Initiative, Inc.
EquinoxOLI.org
laura.barry@equinoxOLI.org
877.OPEN.ILS (877.673.6457)

About Equinox Open Library Initiative
Equinox Open Library Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is the successor to Equinox Software, Inc. Equinox’s mission as a nonprofit is to promote and support a thriving ecosystem for open source library communities in order to provide libraries worldwide with innovative open source solutions. Equinox is devoted to reducing barriers to library technology and services, expanding library access to open source software, and providing high quality technology, consulting, and support services. To learn more, please visit https://www.equinoxOLI.org.

About Evergreen
Evergreen Integrated Library System is an award winning and trusted library solution used by more than 1,800 libraries worldwide. Evergreen ILS is a web-based and mobile-friendly system which provides attractive, easy to use interfaces for library acquisitions, administration, cataloging, circulation, OPAC, reports, course reserves, and serials functionality.

Evergreen ILS is an enterprise level system designed to manage a scalable catalog shared across libraries, including large public and academic library consortia. While designed for large collections, Evergreen is suitable for libraries of any size and type from government to museum and special collection libraries. Its flexibility enables libraries to configure policies and settings that work best for their communities and to maintain ownership of their library and systems data.

For more information on Evergreen: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/evergreen/.

About Koha ILS
Created in 1999 by Katipo Communications for the Horowhenua Library Trust in New Zealand, Koha Integrated Library System is the first open source Integrated

Library System to be used worldwide. For more information on Koha: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/koha/.

About CORAL ERM
CORAL is an electronic resources management system consisting of interoperable modules designed around the core components of managing electronic resources for libraries and other organizations. For more information on CORAL: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/coral/.

About SubjectsPlus
SubjectsPlus is a user-friendly, open source, content management system for information sharing. SubjectsPlus provides tools to create information-rich subject guides, organize curated content for specific audiences in or around a research topic, and to develop and manage library websites. For more information on SubjectsPlus: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/subjectsplus/.

About Fulfillment
Fulfillment is an open source interlibrary loan management system which leverages intuitive design and efficient workflows to maximize value and impact for libraries. Fulfillment provides community members expanded access to library resources across their state and beyond their consortium. For more information on Fulfillment: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/fulfillment/.

About Aspen Discovery
Aspen Discovery is an open source discovery layer that powerfully gathers all of a library’s resources together into a single search. Aspen Discovery provides comprehensive access to the entirety of a library’s holdings, pulling in data from the ILS and licensed databases. For more information on Aspen Discovery: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/aspen-discovery/.

About VuFindⓇ
VuFindⓇ is an open source discovery product for libraries and archives developed and maintained by Villanova University’s Falvey Memorial Library. VuFindⓇ enables library users to discover the entirety of libraries’ collections, including catalog records, journals, digital items, and more. VuFindⓇ is open source and customizable—the interface may be configured to best meet users’ needs. For more information on VuFindⓇ: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/vufind/.

Equinox Announces Major Features in Evergreen 3.13

Atlanta, Ga., June 10, 2024: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce the arrival of Evergreen 3.13, the latest release of the award-winning library software used by more than 1,800 libraries worldwide. The Equinox team contributed 6 major features, 9 minor features, and 22 out of 39 bugfixes.

As part of Equinox’s commitment to accessibility, Equinox has been improving Evergreen’s code to better support assistive technologies. Features that are part of this effort in Evergreen 3.13 include an innovative, keyboard-accessible column resize feature and rebuilt data grids that introduce automatic column sizing and text wrapping.

“We have made huge strides in accessibility in the last year,” said Stephanie Leary, Front End Developer at Equinox. “Evergreen 3.13 includes major enhancements for Evergreen’s staff interface. We are excited to release this update, which includes several of the most-requested features for library staff. Evergreen 3.13 improves the user experience on every screen.”

In addition to accessibility improvements, work developed by Equinox includes a fully rewritten MARC editor and new interfaces for Z39.50, reports, acquisitions claims and invoicing. King County Public Library and the Evergreen Community Development Initiative helped to fund these projects. More detail about these and other features can be found in the release notes here: https://evergreen-ils.org/documentation/release/RELEASE_NOTES_3_13.html

“The Equinox development team has been focused for the last year on updating some of the most used parts of Evergreen,” said Andrea Buntz Neiman, Project Manager for Software Development at Equinox. “We are very proud of the work we have done to improve Evergreen for release 3.13. This new version will provide a foundation for growth for Evergreen for years to come.”

Follow Equinox Open Library Initiative on Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

To receive news directly in your inbox: https://www.equinoxOLI.org/#signup

For more information:
Laura Barry
Communications Coordinator
Equinox Open Library Initiative
EquinoxOLI.org
laura.barry@equinoxOLI.org
877.OPEN.ILS (877.673.6457)

About Equinox Open Library Initiative
Equinox Open Library Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is the successor to Equinox Software, Inc. Equinox’s mission as a nonprofit is to promote and support a thriving ecosystem for open source library communities in order to provide libraries worldwide with innovative open source solutions. Equinox is devoted to reducing barriers to library technology and services, expanding library access to open source software, and providing high quality technology, consulting, and support services. To learn more, please visit https://www.equinoxOLI.org.

About Evergreen
Evergreen Integrated Library System is an award winning and trusted library solution used by more than 1,800 libraries worldwide. Evergreen ILS is a web-based and mobile-friendly system which provides attractive, easy to use interfaces for library acquisitions, administration, cataloging, circulation, OPAC, reports, course reserves, and serials functionality.

Evergreen ILS is an enterprise level system designed to manage a scalable catalog shared across libraries, including large public and academic library consortia. While designed for large collections, Evergreen is suitable for libraries of any size and type from government to museum and special collection libraries. Its flexibility enables libraries to configure policies and settings that work best for their communities and to maintain ownership of their library and systems data.

For more information on Evergreen: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/evergreen/.

Equinox Welcomes Mary S. Biesecker Public Library to Evergreen ILS with the Pennsylvania Integrated Library System

Atlanta, Ga., June 5, 2024: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to welcome Mary S. Biesecker Public Library to Evergreen ILS with the Pennsylvania Integrated Library System (PaILS/SPARK).

“Our new SPARK catalog system helped us improve our patron service,” said Lee Ann Schrock, Library Director at Mary S. Biesecker Public Library. “Evergreen and SPARK provide us with faster checkout times, automatic email notifications, and the exact shelf location of library materials.”

Mary S. Biesecker Public Library was founded in 1914 by 100 community members who wanted to share their love of reading. By joining PaILS/SPARK, Mary S. Biesecker Public Library’s patrons gain access to a significantly larger collection through resource sharing with other member libraries. Equinox provided implementation and training services during the migration and will continue to provide hosting and technical support.

“We appreciated the well-planned, step-by-step migration process of working with Equinox and SPARK,” said Morgan Simmons, IT & Facilities Coordinator at Mary S. Biesecker Public Library. “Their teamwork and organized approach to the migration allowed our library to easily explore and understand all of the features and options the new catalog has to offer.”

PaILS was founded in June 2011 as a non-profit organization to provide an open source integrated library system for Pennsylvania libraries. It oversees SPARK, the Evergreen ILS managed by PaILS on behalf of its member libraries across Pennsylvania. Equinox and PaILS have worked together to support SPARK since 2013.

“Evergreen provides Mary S. Biesecker Public Library patrons with a modern system that also connects them with libraries and collections across the state of Pennsylvania,” said Rogan Hamby, Data and Project Manager at Equinox. “Open source solutions supply outsized advantages to libraries and we were excited to provide that in the form of Evergreen to Mary S. Biesecker Public Library’s community.”

Follow Equinox Open Library Initiative on Facebook and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

To receive news directly in your inbox: https://www.equinoxOLI.org/#signup

For more information:
Laura Barry
Communications Coordinator
Equinox Open Library Initiative
EquinoxOLI.org
laura.barry@equinoxOLI.org
877.OPEN.ILS (877.673.6457)

About Equinox Open Library Initiative
Equinox Open Library Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is the successor to Equinox Software, Inc. Equinox’s mission as a nonprofit is to promote and support a thriving ecosystem for open source library communities in order to provide libraries worldwide with innovative open source solutions. Equinox is devoted to reducing barriers to library technology and services, expanding library access to open source software, and providing high quality technology, consulting, and support services. To learn more, please visit https://www.equinoxOLI.org.

About Evergreen
Evergreen Integrated Library System is an award winning and trusted library solution used by more than 1,800 libraries worldwide. Evergreen ILS is a web-based and mobile-friendly system which provides attractive, easy to use interfaces for library acquisitions, administration, cataloging, circulation, OPAC, reports, course reserves, and serials functionality.

Evergreen ILS is an enterprise level system designed to manage a scalable catalog shared across libraries, including large public and academic library consortia. While designed for large collections, Evergreen is suitable for libraries of any size and type from government to museum and special collection libraries. Its flexibility enables libraries to configure policies and settings that work best for their communities and to maintain ownership of their library and systems data.

For more information on Evergreen: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/evergreen/.

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