Dublin, Ohio, -- 7 September 2017. Just eight months after its introduction, 100 libraries are now using Tipasa, the first cloud-based interlibrary loan management system that automates routine borrowing and lending functions for individual libraries.
OCLC introduced Tipasa in January as a new interlibrary loan management system built on the OCLC WorldShare technology platform that takes full advantage of the world's largest resource sharing network. Tipasa reimagines features and functionality of the Windows-based ILLiad service and moves them to the cloud. Because updates and enhancements happen automatically in the cloud-based system, Tipasa requires only limited IT resources. The simple staff interface is easy to use, making it easy to train staff, volunteers and student assistants.
OCLC continues to develop Tipasa in phases. New features and functionality will be added over time, such as RapidILL integration coming later this year. ILLiad users will move to Tipasa as their functionality needs are met in the new system. ILLiad will be supported as Tipasa continues to expand; no end date has been set for ILLiad.
"We released Tipasa in January with a specific set of features that appeal to certain types of libraries, and we're seeing strong adoption within those groups," said Mary Sauer-Games, OCLC Vice President, Product Management. "Tipasa will continue to evolve to meet the needs of libraries and their users. We are working closely with the ILL community to further develop Tipasa, and we appreciate the community's support and involvement."
"We're so pleased with Tipasa," said Margy Warner, Head of Public Services, St. Edward's University. "We really appreciate the cloud-based software. Our ILL workflows are more intuitive. And since we migrated, we've heard very little from our patrons, which means it's working well. I also really enjoy the community center; it helps us stay on top of what's happening and allows us to talk to other Tipasa users and get support from the community."
Libraries considering a migration to Tipasa can review resources to learn more about the system, the libraries that are live and the members of the OCLC ILL advisory group. There is also a Community Center space for ILLiad libraries interested in moving to Tipasa.
Current Tipasa users can access the OCLC Community Center to connect online, share best practices, stay up to date on new product releases and contribute ideas to improve OCLC services. From the Community Center, users can also access Tipasa's Support and Training website, which includes a comprehensive collection of training and documentation resources.
Tipasa complements a growing list of OCLC resource sharing solutions. OCLC's WorldShare Interlibrary Loan (ILL) provides core interlibrary loan services to thousands of libraries around the world. OCLC also acquired Relais International, the leader in consortial borrowing, in January. Together, these systems and services deliver a comprehensive set of resource sharing solutions for libraries around the world.
More about Tipasa is on the OCLC website.
About OCLC
OCLC is a nonprofit global library cooperative providing shared technology services, original research and community programs so that libraries can better fuel learning, research and innovation. Through OCLC, member libraries cooperatively produce and maintain WorldCat, the most comprehensive global network of data about library collections and services. Libraries gain efficiencies through OCLC's WorldShare, a complete set of library management applications and services built on an open, cloud-based platform. It is through collaboration and sharing of the world's collected knowledge that libraries can help people find answers they need to solve problems. Together as OCLC, member libraries, staff and partners make breakthroughs possible.
