11 - 2024 - Equinox Open Library Initiative

Equinox Partners with Unique Management Services to Launch MessageBee SMS for the Pennsylvania Integrated Library System

Atlanta, Ga., November 26, 2024: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce that the Pennsylvania Integrated Library System (PaILS) is live on MessageBee SMS services through a partnership with Unique Management Services.

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.

“MessageBee has allowed us to considerably improve the deliverability and quality of the text messages sent to SPARK library users,” said Katie Greenleaf Martin, Executive Director at PaILS. “Because we partnered with Equinox, we were able to implement the service rapidly and with no disruption to our member libraries.”

Unique Management Services’ MessageBee helps libraries connect with patrons via email, SMS, and phone. MessageBee’s design streamlines communication workflows for libraries and maintains the library’s brand. More information about MessageBee is available at: https://uniquelibrary.com/messagebee/.

“Our partnership with Unique Management Services in offering MessageBee SMS has been a highly sought out addition by libraries,” said Rogan Hamby, Data and Project Manager at Equinox. “It meets a core need in connecting libraries and patrons. We are excited to welcome PaILS as the latest consortium we support providing this service to its members.”

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 Unique Management Services
Unique Management Services has specialized in helping libraries with a wide array of communication processes since 1996. From incoming customer service to outgoing email, voice, and text messaging, Unique Management Services delivers millions of communications each month for libraries across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.uniquelibrary.com.

Equinox Welcomes the Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County to Evergreen ILS, Aspen Discovery, and MessageBee with the Missouri Evergreen Consortium

Atlanta, Ga., November 21, 2024: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to welcome the Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County, Missouri to Evergreen ILS, Aspen Discovery, and MessageBee SMS as part of their membership with the Missouri Evergreen Consortium.

The Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County consists of nine community libraries in St. Louis County, Missouri. Resource sharing within the consortium has provided their communities with access to over 700,000 volumes. Equinox provided implementation and training services during the migration and will continue to provide hosting and technical support.

The Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County is the first of the Missouri Evergreen Consortium libraries to begin using Aspen Discovery. They will also be using MessageBee SMS through Equinox’s partnership with Unique Management Services.

“The Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County is excited to join our cohorts in the Missouri Evergreen Consortium,” said Ashley Bryant, Director of the Maplewood Public Library and President of the Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County. “Equinox was up to the task and worked closely with us to make the transition as smooth as possible. We were so pleased to be able to grant our patrons access to an additional 4 million items through the Missouri Evergreen catalog immediately upon our scheduled go-live time!”

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

“Open source software helps consortia provide sustainable technological support and growth,” said Rogan Hamby, Data and Project Manager at Equinox. “The Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County represents a wide range of communities, and I’m eager to see the staff and patrons grow with the 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 Unique Management Services
Unique Management Services has specialized in helping libraries with a wide array of communication processes since 1996. From incoming customer service to outgoing email, voice, and text messaging, Unique Management Services delivers millions of communications each month for libraries across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.uniquelibrary.com.

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 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/.

Equinox Partners with Unique Management Services to Launch MessageBee SMS for the OWWL Library System

Atlanta, Ga., November 19, 2024: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce that the OWWL Library System (OWWL), a New York cooperative public library system that supports libraries in Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming, and Livingston Counties, is live on MessageBee SMS services through a partnership with Unique Management Services.

“We’re thrilled that our longtime partners at Equinox Open Library Initiative have worked with Unique Management Services to offer a reliable text message notification service,” said Ron Kirsop, Executive Director of the OWWL Library System. “We’re grateful to the teams at Equinox and Unique Management Services for the seamless transition to using MessageBee for all of our SMS communications.”

Unique Management Services’ MessageBee helps libraries connect with patrons via email, SMS, and phone. MessageBee’s design streamlines communication workflows for libraries and maintains the library’s brand. More information about MessageBee is available at: https://uniquelibrary.com/messagebee/.

“We have been proud to provide OWWL with solutions that best support their community, such as Aspen Discovery last year,” said Rogan Hamby, Data and Project Manager at Equinox. “MessageBee will be another valuable service available to their patrons, and we were happy we could offer MessageBee alongside Unique Management Services.”

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 Unique Management Services
Unique Management Services has specialized in helping libraries with a wide array of communication processes since 1996. From incoming customer service to outgoing email, voice, and text messaging, Unique Management Services delivers millions of communications each month for libraries across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.uniquelibrary.com.

Equinox Partners with Unique Management Services to Launch MessageBee SMS for Branch District Library

Atlanta, Ga., November 14, 2024: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce that Branch District Library is live on MessageBee SMS through a partnership with Unique Management Services.

“We were thrilled to learn about Equinox’s partnership with Unique Management Services to help ensure more reliable patron notifications, ” said John Rucker, Director at Branch District Library. “Equinox and Unique Management Services have a long history of great support for libraries and MessageBee is already proving to be a game changer for informing and staying engaged with our community.”

Unique Management Services’ MessageBee helps libraries connect with patrons via email, SMS, and phone. MessageBee’s design streamlines communication workflows for libraries and maintains the library’s brand. More information about MessageBee is available at: https://uniquelibrary.com/messagebee/.

“We are pleased to partner with Unique Management Services to provide MessageBee SMS to libraries,” said Rogan Hamby, Data and Project Manager at Equinox. “When libraries can connect easily with patrons in the format they prefer, it improves their experience. We are happy to support MessageBee at Branch District Library.”

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 Unique Management Services
Unique Management Services has specialized in helping libraries with a wide array of communication processes since 1996. From incoming customer service to outgoing email, voice, and text messaging, Unique Management Services delivers millions of communications each month for libraries across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.uniquelibrary.com.

Equinox Welcomes Southeastern Libraries Cooperating to Evergreen ILS and Aspen Discovery

Atlanta, Ga., November 12, 2024: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce that Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO), a nonprofit library consortium in Minnesota, has selected Evergreen ILS and Aspen Discovery hosted by Equinox.

“SELCO is excited to collaborate with Equinox on Evergreen and Aspen Discovery, gaining the stability and increased functionality of a modern, web-based ILS designed for a consortium,” said Cheryl Hill, Director of Resource Sharing at SELCO. “With simplified interfaces for staff and patrons and backed by strong open-source, third-party vendor relationships, we anticipate a dynamic system that will be continually enhanced by an engaged community of librarians, all focused on improving the system for everyone.”

Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) was founded in 1971 as a nonprofit organization and is one of Minnesota’s twelve regional library systems, providing services to locally autonomous libraries and eleven counties. Equinox will provide implementation and training services during the migration and will continue to provide hosting and technical support throughout.

Evergreen is a robust open source ILS that offers a scalable solution for libraries of all types that is feature-rich and user friendly. When used with Aspen Discovery, Evergreen and Aspen provide a highly configurable, branded and intuitive experience. Aspen Discovery pulls the entirety of a library’s resources, databases, and events into a single search. Deployed by individual libraries or for consortium, Aspen Discovery offers customizable themes that can improve the accessibility of a library’s resources.

“Equinox has a track record of excellence when it comes to consortial support,” said Felicia Beaudry, Business Development Manager at Equinox. “We are excited to welcome the member libraries of SELCO to the Evergreen and Aspen communities.”

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 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/.

Equinox at the Connecticut Library Consortium Vendor Expo 2024

Atlanta, Ga., November 7, 2024: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, will be at the Connecticut Library Consortium Vendor Expo (CLC Vendor Expo) on November 12, 2024 at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut. Equinox will present on open source products Aspen Discovery, CORAL ERM and SubjectsPlus.

The CLC Vendor Expo offers an opportunity for CLC vendor partners to connect with CLC members and demonstrate new products and services. Equinox’s Business Development Manager, Felicia Beaudry, will be presenting “Fueling Connections: Driving Patron Engagement with Aspen Discovery,” covering the variety of tools in Aspen Discovery which enhance the patron experience.

Equinox’s multi-year partnership with Connecticut Library Consortium provides special pricing on Aspen Discovery, CORAL ERM, and Subjects Plus for all CLC member libraries. Aspen Discovery is an innovative, open source discovery platform that seamlessly integrates with library resources and enhances the user experience. CORAL ERM is an open source electronic resources management system, allowing libraries to streamline management of electronic resources by centralizing licensing information and usage data. SubjectsPlus is an open source content management system used for creating library home pages, reference guides, database lists, FAQs, and more.

“Aspen Discovery, CORAL ERM, and SubjectsPlus offer cutting-edge, cost-effective technology solutions that empower libraries to enhance their services and engage their communities effectively,” said Felicia Beaudry, Business Development Manager at Equinox. “When coupled with Equinox’s excellent track record of implementation and technical support, these products can make a big difference in how patrons and staff connect at the library.”

Connecticut Library Consortium members can register to attend the expo here: https://www.ctlibrarians.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1874281&group=

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 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 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/.

Equinox Announces New Release of CORAL ERM (2024.10)

Atlanta, Ga., November 4, 2024: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce the latest release of CORAL ERM, version 2024.10. Equinox developers worked with CORAL Steering Committee members at East Carolina University and Jessup University, alongside community partner, SirsiDynix, to complete the release.

This new release addresses issues reported by the CORAL community related to the Resource Accounts module and data normalization in the Costs table.

“The improvements to the Cost History functionality in 2024.10 allow us to map the relationships between the individual databases we provide to students and the bundled packages we pay for,” said Michael Kares, Electronic Resources Librarian at Jessup University who assisted Equinox with testing the new functionality available in the release.

“The CORAL Steering Committee extends thanks to our partners at Equinox Open Library Initiative for their development contributions and community members for their support and involvement with CORAL,” said Rebecca Tatterson, Electronic Resources Librarian at East Carolina University.

CORAL is an open source electronic resource management tool used by libraries and institutions worldwide. CORAL’s interoperable modules allow libraries to streamline their management of electronic resources and leverage useful tools such as customized acquisitions workflows, license comparison and management, vendor and subscription management, and COUNTER-compliant reporting tools.

“The CORAL ERM project has always been community driven, delivering a flexible, open source solution for managing electronic resources,” said Andy Panayiotou, Product Manager III at SirsiDynix. “The 2024.10 release marks another milestone in enhancing the system’s functionality and usability, ensuring it continues to meet the evolving needs of libraries and consortia around the world.”

Release 2024.10 is now available on GitHub: https://github.com/coral-erm/coral/releases/tag/v2024.10.

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 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/.

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