Randy Dykhuis, Executive Director, Michigan Library Consortium
November 30, 2007
Nonprofit, 501(c)3 Multitype OCLC Regional Network Group licensing Training Michigan eLibrary
Best of the Web◦ Librarian selectors
Databases◦ 35+ databases at no charge◦ Support/training
MeLCat◦ INN-Reach software◦ 200+ libraries◦ Many different automated systems
Delivery◦ ProMed, Michigan-based courier company◦ 350+ libraries using◦ Flat-rate per stop◦ 2-5 stops per week◦ $760 - $2,500 annually◦ Required for MeLCat participation
Commitment within the office Choose open source whenever possible
10 million residents 385 public libraries 100+ academics
◦ 15 public universities◦ 28 community colleges◦ 65+ private & other colleges
525 public school districts◦ 200+ charter schools
Most libraries are automated Many public and school libraries have small
stand-alone systems with limited functionality
Many libraries wish they had better systems Two problems:
◦ Small budgets for automation◦ Lack of staff to run the system
Commercial vendors◦ Innovative Interfaces – best choice for MeLCat
partcipation◦ Polaris – responsive company, affordable
Open source software◦ Koha◦ Evergreen
Used by 270+ libraries in Georgia Developed by the state library Developed especially for a consortium Up & running in September 2006 Much work left to be done
◦ Acquisitions & Serials◦ Many smaller features
Strong interest from libraries around the state◦ Mostly small-medium public libraries
Grand Rapids Public Library◦ 197,000 population served, 1.09 million volumes,
1.4 million circ◦ MLC's partner◦ Data center◦ Migration to Evergreen planned for late 2008
5 – 10 libraries to join a pilot program Go live in 2008 Costs for the pilot will be shared by the
participants◦ Hardware – Dell servers to be purchased & housed
at Grand Rapids Public Library◦ Data migration◦ Training◦ Support
Demonstrations at Michigan Library Association annual conference were very successful
Have two libraries that have committed to joining the pilot project
Have assigned two staff members to the project
Policies & implementation documentation are underway
Aiming for July 1, 2008 start-up for first libraries
Changing the marketplace A new model for acquiring an ILS System features are determined by library need not
vendor profit Brings cooperation to a new level
Development is under library control not a vendor Small gains for some translates to gains for all
Everyone plays