Library Technology Guides

Documents, Databases, News, and Commentary

Library Technology Guides provides comprehensive and objective information surrounding the many different types of technology products and services used by libraries. It covers the organizations that develop and support library-oriented software and systems. The site offers extensive databases and document repositories to assist libraries as they consider new systems and is an essential resource for professionals in the field to stay current with new developments and trends.

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SirsiDynix acquired by Harris Computing

SirsiDynix, has been acquired by Harris Computing, one of six operating companies of Constellation Software, Inc. It purchased SirsiDynix from ICV Partners, a private equity firm that has owned it since February 2015. Unlike private equity firms, Constellation does not sell the companies it acquires. It follows a strategy of acquiring businesses from founders or investors and holding them indefinitely. The acquisition marks a definitive exit from ongoing cycles of private equity investment into a permanent position within a public company specializing in the administration of technology-focused businesses. SirsiDynix has seen two rounds of private equity ownership, including Vista Equity Partners and ICV Partners.As part of Harris, SirsiDynix gains access to additional technical and financial resources. Harris has deep experience in acquiring and strengthening technology companies. In contrast, SirsiDynix was the only technology company within the ICV Partners portfolio.

(Library Technology Newsletter, January 2025)

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The 2024 Edition of the International Library Automation Perceptions

The 2024 Edition of the International Library Automation Perceptions is underway. All libraries are invited to participate in the latest edition of the International Library Automation Perceptions Survey conducted through Library Technology Guides. This survey aims to measure the levels of satisfaction libraries have with their core resource management systems and discovery services and the vendors that support these products. It has been conducted every year since 2007. The reports based on these surveys provide a unique resource to libraries as they assess systems and serve as an important feedback mechanism to the vendor community.

(, November 26, 2024)

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2024 Library Systems Report: Companies focus on developing practical solutions

2024 Library Systems Report: Companies focus on developing practical solutions

The library technology industry had a quiet year in 2023. But in the absence of major business moves and acquisitions, companies set their sights on executing strategies to strengthen their market position.

Previous cycles of business consolidation have yielded a layered landscape with distinct levels of competition. At the top, a handful of large organizations with considerable resources—Clarivate, EBSCO Information Services, Follett School Solutions, and OCLC—continue to expand their portfolios, covering multiple business sectors and library types. Middle-tier companies, including Axiell, ByWater Solutions, The Library Corporation (TLC), and SirsiDynix, offer growing suites of products used by thousands of libraries. And finally, a group of smaller companies round out the industry, covering specialized libraries with niche products and services.

Competition at each level remains vigorous. Libraries may have fewer product choices because of past acquisitions, but the options remaining are distinctive. Most libraries can choose between for-profit and nonprofit vendors, and between proprietary and open source products. For instance, academic libraries can pick from a short list of library services platforms (LSPs), including a proprietary solution from a for-profit company (Alma), an open source product supported by for-profit companies (FOLIO), or a proprietary product from a nonprofit organization (WorldShare Management Services).

Libraries see their technology vendors as strategic partners. They are increasingly purchasing core products from a single provider, rewarding companies' efforts to create suites of integrated applications that function more efficiently than mix-and-match offerings. These days, libraries expect third-party integration from their products—but they generally acquire new components from a single main vendor.

(American Libraries, May 1, 2024)

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Libraries Under Cyberattack

The last year or so has brought incredible challenges to the digital infrastructure of some high-profile libraries. The recent wave of cyberattacks targeting one of the world’s most prestigious and well-resourced libraries brings a sobering reminder of the dangers lurking for libraries in this digital age. Libraries of all types and sizes must be vigilant and prepared for any possible security breach.

(Computers in Libraries, March 2024)

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Project Reshare and OpenRS: differing approaches to open source resource sharing

Project Reshare and OpenRS: differing approaches to open source resource sharing

In recent months, a schism has erupted in the open source resource sharing realm. Two open source resource sharing projects that previously resided within a single organization have separated, due not only to the differing functional models of their products, but also because of differences in styles of collaboration. Launched in 2018, Project ReShare has been advancing an open source platform for resource sharing, created collaboratively among a community of interested libraries and vendors. Project ReShare continues with its mission to strengthen its resource sharing community and to continue to enhance and support its platform. The organization is also refining its organizational structure and articulating its values and community processes. OpenRS, was launched in 2023 as a new initiative to develop, support, and promote a new open source direct consortial borrowing solution. Though a relatively new project, OpenRS moves forward with a well defined development agenda, backed by two commercial vendors, EBSCO Information Services and Knowledge Integration, with substantial involvement of MOBIUS as its first planned implementor.

(Library Technology Newsletter, December 2023)

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Caveat and Credit

Library Technology Guides was created and is edited by Marshall Breeding. He is solely responsible for all content on this site, and for any errors it may contain. Please notify him if you find any errors or omissions.

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Industry News

Saturday Feb 8, 2025    Subscribe to Industry News Announcements via RSS

Full Automation News Report

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February 7, 2025. Equinox welcomes Belmont Abbey College to Koha ILS. Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, announced that Belmont Abbey College has joined the open source community with their ... <<more>>

February 7, 2025. The BitCurator Consortium joins The Open Library Foundation. The Open Library Foundation welcomes the BitCurator Consortium, a global leader in born-digital curation, as its newest member project. This partnership advances sustainable and innovative practices i ... <<more>>

February 7, 2025. Tooele City Library is Live on Koha and Aspen Discovery with ByWater Support. ByWater Solutions, America's forefront provider of Open Source library technology support, announced that the Tooele City Library in Utah is now live on the Koha ILS with Aspen Discovery and ByWater S ... <<more>>

February 7, 2025. Unique launches MessageBee RenewIQ, a new patron address verification service. Unique Management Services announced the launch of RenewIQ, an innovative solution designed to streamline library patron account renewals. RenewIQ automates the renewal process by verifying patron add ... <<more>>

February 7, 2025. Bibliotheca opens new headquarters in Lake Elmo, MN. Bibliotheca, a global leader in library technology, has officially opened its new headquarters in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. The facility is designed to enhance support for libraries worldwide, streamline ... <<more>>

February 7, 2025. CLEVNET expands MessageBee channels to include Phone, Marketing, and Circulation notices. Unique Management Services announced the expansion of MessageBee for the CLEVNET consortium, serving libraries in and around the Cleveland, Ohio area. Previously used for email-based marketing and cir ... <<more>>

February 7, 2025. Silverchair expands Universe Program to accelerate platform integration and innovation. Silverchair announced the expansion of its renowned Silverchair Universe partner program, which now includes ScholarOne partnerships. Originally launched in 2017 as a framework of complementary produc ... <<more>>

February 7, 2025. IIIF Consortium welcomes KB National Library of the Netherlands. The International Image Interoperability Framework Consortium announced the KB National Library of the Netherlands as its newest full member. The KB plays a pivotal role as one of the sectoral hubs w ... <<more>>

February 6, 2025. La Biblioteca de la Universidad de Murcia moderniza su gestión con AbsysCloud. La Universidad de Murcia optimiza su biblioteca con AbsysCloud, mejorando la eficiencia y accesibilidad con una solución más moderna y fácil de gestionar. El catálogo online ha sido renovado con un d ... <<more>>

February 6, 2025. ByWater Solutions announces accessibility compliance for Koha and Aspen. ByWater Solutions, America's forefront provider of open source library systems, is proud to announce that the Koha Open Source ILS, Aspen Discovery System, and Aspen LiDA App now comply with current i ... <<more>>

February 6, 2025. ByWater Solutions at Oklahoma Library Association Annual Conference 2025. ByWater Solutions, an open source contributor and America's forefront provider of Open Source library technology support, announced today that team members will be at the Oklahoma Library Association ... <<more>>

Full Automation News Report