The BC Libraries Cooperative is pleased to announce that 12 libraries are joining Sitka in 2011: Fraser Lake, Sparwood, Emily Carr University, Columbia Bible College, Tumbler Ridge, Fort St. James, Elkford, BC PLSB Professional Collection, Beaver Valley, Kitimat and Kimberley. This will bring the total number of participating Sitka libraries to 56, serving nearly 100 communities, 3 post-secondary institutions, 1 school, and represents 75 per cent of all public libraries in BC.
We are also very pleased to announce that the Manitoba Spruce Cooperative is joining the BC Libraries Cooperative in 2011, bringing the BC Libraries Cooperative membership to 80. The following SPRUCE member libraries will join Sitka this year: Boissevain and Morton Regional, South Central Regional, and Ste. Rose Regional Library systems.
Members participating in Sitka use a shared installation of the award-winning, open source Evergreen Integrated Library System, and participate directly in shaping the software to meet their specific needs. Sitka is core strategic infrastructure that ensures all member libraries are able to provide access to up to date electronic services and resources. This spring, Sitka is poised for considerable growth and the delivery of impressive new ‘large library' functionality for its membership.
The BC Libraries Cooperative was founded by BC libraries in 2009 in order to shape a collaborative future for libraries and develop cost-effective solutions to 21st century library challenges. The Cooperative harnesses the tremendous buying power and cost savings of a consortium while at the same time providing the corporate ability to limit risk.
The BC Libraries Cooperative would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of the Provincial Government, and the commitment and dedication of participating libraries, jurisdictional partners and the broader Evergreen community.
For more information about the BC Libraries Cooperative: cooperative.bclibraries.ca
For more information about Sitka: Sitka.bclibraries.ca
For more information about Evergreen: open-ils.org