St. Louis — July, 28, 2003 — Sirsi Corporation, the leader in new-name sales of technology for libraries around the world*, announced today that Cleveland Public Library (CPL) has selected the Sirsi suite of technology products and services for public libraries. "Like Sirsi, CPL has been a leader in library automation. While we reviewed the product lines of other companies, we came to see Sirsi as the only supplier capable of supporting our current operations and providing sufficient flexibility to take advantage of new service concepts and new technologies as they arise," said Bob Carterette, head of automation services for CPL.
The Library will install the Unicorn® Library Management System, Web2 e-Library solution, Hyperion Digital Media Archive, and Sirsi Voice Automation (SVA), as well as a full range of technology-related services. "Our reference calls to Sirsi clients were enthusiastic about Sirsi products and services. We learned that Sirsi provides a stable, client-server architecture that complements and extends other functions within Sirsi products as well as third-party products," said Carterette. "Sirsi's products have a certain elegance within the client-server architecture, exhibit a commitment to best-of-breed features, and offer flexibility and cost-effectiveness; moreover, Sirsi staff members have a clear understanding of the complex consortia issues we face."
The Cleveland Public Library is one of the nation's major public research libraries and also provides extensive branch services throughout the city's neighborhoods, supporting its reputation as the "People's University." The main library collection contains nearly 10 million research and circulating items. "We are proud to partner with the Cleveland Public Library and support its mission to provide people with the information and knowledge they need," said Patrick C. Sommers, Sirsi's chief executive officer. "And we are pleased that we share a common vision with the Library to expand services to library users in creative new ways."
In addition, CPL administers the CLEVNET consortium. "CPL has a long history of leadership in implementing electronic services for remote users, and Sirsi was willing to integrate some functions we created locally into the Sirsi system. Sirsi's collaborative efforts have ensured a partnership with CPL that will continue to evolve – to the benefit of our library users and to the CLEVNET consortium of northern Ohio."
Established in 1982, CLEVNET includes 31 libraries, including two school systems, the Cleveland Law Library, and the Global Issues Resource Center. In 2002, consortium members collectively circulated 21.5 million items. "Online CLEVNET includes 2.5 million titles, 10 million items, and 1.3 million patrons," said Carterette. "CLEVNET has already established a strong regional influence – and we expect more libraries to join CLEVNET in light of our new technology and services from Sirsi." CLEVNET includes approximately 110 buildings in nine counties in northern Ohio with an estimated population service area of more than 1.5 million. In 2001, more than 5 million catalog searches, approximately 530,000 online renewals, and more than 400,000 requests from the consortium's registered borrowers.
"With WorkFlows®, Sirsi's staff interface to the Unicorn system, our personnel will have a single integrated interface allowing them to access any needed function from acquisitions to circulation. Through Web2, our library users will enjoy a dynamic public interface for access to our catalog and other resources as well as automated phone renewal, books by mail, and more efficient homebound services," said Carterette. "These benefits are critical to our mission as we serve a large and diverse user community."
About Cleveland Public Library
The mission of the Cleveland Public Library is to be the best urban library system in the country by providing access to the worldwide information that people and organizations need in a timely, convenient, and equitable manner. The vision of the library is to be "The People's University," the learning place for a diverse community, inspiring people of all ages with the love of books and reading, advancing the pursuit of knowledge, and enhancing the quality of life for all who use the library.
The library's strategic mission includes investing in state-of-the-art technology to support library services, to continue to develop the virtual library concept, increase home delivery service, install youth-dedicated workstations and Web-based services, evaluate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access, and to continually upgrade technology infrastructure, and implement applications for increased efficiency.
The Cleveland Public Library is comprised of the main library, 28 branches, and the sub-regional library for the blind and physically handicapped, which serves 55 Ohio counties.
About Sirsi
Sirsi (www.sirsi.com) recognizes that today's librarians are on a mission to break down walls – barriers that limit the knowledge and resources accessible to library users. A partner with leading libraries around the globe since 1979, Sirsi provides software and services that assist libraries in breaking down walls, thereby promoting learning, empowerment, and opportunity for diverse user communities. Sirsi's portfolio of products and services includes the iBistro and iLink e-Library solutions, the Unicorn Library Management System, the Hyperion Digital Media Archive, Sirsi Rooms Context Management Solutions, and a full slate of services.
