PROVO, Utah – August 6, 2003 – Dynix, the world's leading provider of automation technologies, solutions and services for libraries, announced today that Dayton Metro Library (Dayton, OH) and Springfield Free Public Library (Springfield, NJ) have both chosen to replace their existing library management solutions with the Horizon Information Management System.
Dayton Metro Library evaluated several systems before deciding to replace its current DRA system with Horizon. “We wanted to upgrade from a legacy system to take advantage of the new functionality that is available in today's solutions,” said Barbara Kuhns, director for information technology services at Dayton Metro. “We evaluated a number of different systems and ultimately chose Horizon for its advanced functionality on the patron and client sides, the company's long-standing reputation as a leader in the field, and the overall cost.”
Horizon provides technology that is both flexible and scalable, which is particularly important as Dayton Metro continues to expand. The library works in tandem with two other libraries under a loose consortium model and circulates more than 6 million items annually.
“We were really drawn to the open, standard database approach that Dynix uses at the core of the Horizon solution. It's easier to extract and manipulate information, and it makes things like adding fields into borrower records much easier,” added Kuhns. “We expect to gain a lot of efficiencies in the backroom while providing our staff and managers with more information that's critical for day-to-day decision making.”
Like Dayton Metro, Springfield Free Public Library evaluated a number of vendors when its legacy system, Gaylord's Galaxy, was no longer being improved and developed. “Galaxy was no longer compatible with new computers, so we could either stick with it and hold off on hardware upgrades, or we could switch systems,” said Library Director Susan Permahos.
Permahos cited Horizon's overall value, its intuitiveness, and the endorsements of other libraries currently using the product as key influencing factors in its decision-making process. “We were very pleased with the Horizon demonstration, and we are looking forward to Horizon Kid's Information Portal and easier reporting in particular,” said Permahos. The library has a collection of 66,000 items and serves a population of 14,400 people.
“Dayton Metro and Springfield Free are two libraries with very different needs,” said Dynix President and CEO Jack Blount. “It's a testament to the inherent flexibility of the Horizon system that we can service both libraries with solutions that are tailored specifically to their priorities.”
Both libraries are scheduled to go live with the new Horizon systems by the end of this year.
About Dynix
Celebrating its twentieth year of service to the library community, Dynix is the world's pioneer provider of library information management systems. As a committed advocate of the library community, Dynix serves academic, special, school, public, and consortium libraries in over 40 countries. With more than 100 professional librarians on staff and proven experience in software leadership, Dynix is focused on providing customers visionary technology solutions that support the latest industry standards and offer intuitive functionality. For complete corporate information and a guide to Dynix products and services, visit www.dynix.com.
