Turning the page on technology at the library

They can breathe a little easier at the Prince Rupert Library these days, the fears of a massive computer crash leaving the Library system in shambles have finally been addressed.

The Prince Rupert Library is now a test library for the Evergreen Integrated Library System (known as ILS) which should make it much easier for library patrons to gain access to the libraries resources.

The Daily News had the details in Thursday’s paper on the workings of the new system and how the Library is going to benefit from it.

Libraries all getting on same page
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Pages one and two

After years of running on life-support, the Prince Rupert Public Library is finally getting a new computer system that may also one-day link every library in British Columbia.

Rupert's library will be one of the test libraries for the Evergreen integrated library system (ILS) - a modern system that will make it easier for patrons to access materials, and for librarians to catalogue and circulate those materials.

"It's a relief to finally have a new library system after years of wondering if our computers would work on any given day," said Denise St. Arnaud, chief librarian at the Prince Rupert library.

"But the best thing about the new software is that it's free."

Most libraries buy the software for their integrated library systems from one of seven major commercial vendors. Over the past few years, these vendors have merged with one another, resulting in fewer product choices. This has reduced competitiveness, so libraries are left with no choice but to pay more in licensing fees.

The Evergreen ILS, however, is an example of “open source” computer software.

Instead of a library buying the computer code from a vendor, and then paying annual licensing fees, the library just downloads the code from the internet and modifies that code to suit its needs.

Although there will be associated costs for hardware and regular maintenance, one of the biggest expenses – the initial licensing fee – is gone.

If this pilot project is successful in Rupert and in the three other pilot libraries, Evergreen will be used at every library in B. C. that wants it.

In other words, each library’s records will be linked with every other library in the province.
A similar system is in place in the State of Georgia, but the system planned for B. C. would cover the largest geographic area in the world.

The seven member libraries of the North Coast Library Federation, which includes other libraries in the Northwest, are near the top of the waiting list to join Evergreen.

“It’s really exciting to not only be part of this big project, but also be the first one out of the block,” said Patti Barnes, chief librarian with the Northwest Community College library and a member of the ILS advisory committee. “It also shows the importance of libraries working together, which is part of the mission of the North Coast Library Federation.”

Patrons will notice a big change in the look and feels of the catalogue.

Instead of one-colour graphics, the catalogue will resemble something more like an internet web page.

Patrons will also be able to place holds on books from their home computer and, as more libraries come online in the future, they’ll be able to request books from outside their community.

St. Arnaud said staff are willing and able to help library patrons while they try out their new system.

“This could be an emerging trend in libraries all over the world,” said St. Arnaud.

“It’s quite exciting that this little library in Prince Rupert can play such a big role.”