Milford Library To Unveil Enhanced Library Catalog
Posted
Staff Report-
MILFORD - The Milford Public Library will debut a new integrated library system, called Evergreen July 16.
Evergreen will hold the records of all the library patrons, circulation transactions and collection items. Patrons of Evergreen Indiana libraries have access to materials at other member libraries.The Evergreen Indiana catalog of 1.7 million records is at www.evergreen.lib.in.us Most of the costs for the Evergreen installation and ongoing system maintenance are funded by the Indiana State Library through Federal Library Services and Technology Act grants.
"The state library was impressed by the continued growth and development of the Evergreen software itself, and its flexibility to meet the individual needs of the local library," said Roberta Brooker, Indiana state librarian. "Evergreen was developed by the library community and possesses many user-friendly modules and applications that best suit the needs of libraries."
The potential savings for the taxpayer and the convenience for the library user were key factors for the Indiana State Library in pursuing Evergreen as a viable initiative for Indiana libraries. Evergreen Indiana has the potential to collectively save Indiana's 238 public libraries up to $15 million per year.
More than 100 libraries (including public libraries representing 59.5 percent of Indiana's population) submitted a letter of intent indicating an interest to participate in the initial discussion among Indiana libraries of how an open-source ILS might be of value to libraries.
By the end of July, 34 public libraries throughout Indiana will be using Evergreen Indiana and more are scheduled to migrate to the system throughout the remainder of 2009.
When all of the current 53 members are live, the consortium will serve approximately 596,000 Indiana residents. Member libraries migrate from a variety of ILS systems and serve populations ranging from 1,000 to 35,000.
The Milford Public Library will stay open during the migration. During July, patrons might have to wait longer than normal to get their items checked out. Every patron will be issued a new Evergreen card.
"Customers will find Evergreen Indiana easy to use and the new catalog software offers many popular features," said Julie Frew, director. "For instance, individuals can keep a personal online book bag of what they have read or want to read, and may share the list with friends and others via the library's catalog."
Customers who have an Internet connection at home will be able to place reserves on items. There are brochures filled with information about Evergreen available at each circulation desk and also applications for an Evergreen library card.
