The Ferguson Library in Stamford, Connecticut Migrates to LibLime Enterprise Koha

Dec. 18, 2009 - PRLog -- The Library's system will be installed, operated and maintained at one of LibLime's carrier-class data centers and distributed via Software as a Service on LibLime's Cloud Computing platform.

LibLime Enterprise Koha is built on over two years of completed customer-sponsored development, including several highly-anticipated public and consortia features. This Software as a Service offering on LibLime's new cloud computing platform will also feature regular monthly releases as additional customer-sponsored development is completed.

LibLime will provide the library with professional project management to handle the software installation,  full data migration (the library currently supports over 310,000 unique titles and 117,000 patrons), training on their new Koha system, as well as ongoing support and software development.

"What excites us most about Koha is the freedom it provides," said Gary Giannelli, Director of MIS.

"As the systems administrator, what interests me the most about Koha is the system’s architecture," Gary continued. "The ILS is built on MySql, which means I’ll be able to access all our ILS data easily, using a variety of tools.  Koha’s easy data access will give us the ability to create a large number of custom reports that fit our needs exactly and allow us to use our data in a variety of new ways. This improved access to our circulation and collection information will have ramifications throughout our organization. We’ll have a more nuanced and well-rounded understanding of how our collection is being used and what our patrons are interested in."

Gary added: "Koha’s open architecture will let us create and install some interesting and fun opac widgets, such as a display of books recently added to the collection and a dynamic list of our most popular items.  One of the features that attracted us to Koha is its built in RSS functionality, which will make displaying and pushing content to our users a simple process."

Koha's patron interface will provide the Library's patrons with increased control over their accounts, including the ability to manage their own email/notice settings and to create title lists that they can share with other members of the Stamford community.

"We applaud The Ferguson Library's commitment to evolving technology to better serve their community," said Susan Buchanan, VP Library Partners at LibLime. "Koha's flexible architecture is a great fit for The Ferguson Library, which clearly enjoys a hands-on approach to technology. We're looking forward to a successful migration and valuable partnership. "

About the Ferguson Library

The Ferguson Library is Stamford’s public library system. Close to a million people visit the library annually. The Library circulated over a million books and other materials last year.

The Library's collection includes classics, contemporary fiction, nonfiction and DVDs, as well as special collections in many world languages.  The Library offers programs throughout the year for children, teens and adults, including summer reading clubs, author visits, films, book discussions, computer training, concerts and English language classes for the many newcomers in our diverse community.

The Ferguson Library system consists of the Main Library downtown, the Harry Bennett Branch, the Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch, the South End Branch and a traveling Bookmobile.  Call 203 964-1000 or visit www.fergusonlibrary.org for more information.

About LibLime Enterprise Koha

LibLime Enterprise Koha couples the award-winning Koha Community baseline with the latest enterprise enhancements sponsored by LibLime customers. Backed by LibLime support and documentation, LibLime Enterprise Koha represents the most advanced and comprehensive open-source ILS solution available to libraries.

For more information, visit http://liblime.com.

To try out LibLime Enterprise Koha for yourself, visit LibLime's demos:

http://liblime.com/demos

About LibLime

LibLime is the global leader in open-source solutions for libraries, with a mission to make open source accessible to libraries. Rather than sell software licenses for static, hard-to-customize software products, LibLime educates libraries about the benefits of open source, enabling them to make choices about how best to provide their communities and staff with better technology services. LibLime then facilitates implementation of open source in libraries by providing outstanding development, customization, support and training solutions--solutions tailored to each library's needs. For more information, see http://liblime.com.

Press Contact:

Tina Burger
Vice President Marketing, LibLime
(888) Koha ILS (564-2457) ext. 705
tnb@liblime.com

LibLime and the LibLime logo, Koha and LibLime Enterprise Koha are either registered trademarks or trademarks of LibLime. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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LibLime is the global leader in open-source solutions for libraries, with a mission to make open source accessible to libraries. LibLime's capstone product is LibLime Enterprise Koha, an integrated library system. http://liblime.com