Library Technology Guides

Executive Perspectives: A Conversation on the Future of the Library Technology Industry. Mark your calendars to attend the annual Executive Perspectives panel organized and hosted by Marshall Breeding, independent consultant and creator of Library Technology Guides. The discussion will center on the theme: Putting AI to work in Library Services: Positive and Negative Consequences and will cover topics such as what's lost and what's gained as AI brings higher levels of automation and becomes a component in library services. Are Libraries losing control of their processes and the quality of their services? We will learn about interesting new capabilities being developed to improve library services, tools to describe and provide access to collections at a scale beyond manual processes, and methods of discovery reshaped by expectations for answers to research questions and not lists of results. [Full Announcement].

Library Perceptions 2026: Results of the nineteenth International Survey of Library Automation. Library Technology Guides has released Library Perceptions 2026: Results of the nineteenth International Survey of Library Automation. The report presents findings from the annual survey of libraries regarding their experiences with their strategic library management products, discovery services, and their associated vendors. The report analyzes responses from libraries worldwide and provides statistical results and commentary based on evaluations of integrated library systems, library services platforms, discovery services, and related technologies. The survey explores library satisfaction with product functionality, management of print and electronic resources, quality of vendor support, customer loyalty, and migration intentions. [Full Announcement].

Library Technology Guides publishes 2026 Library Systems Report: Innovation under Constraint: How Libraries and Vendors Navigate Austerity and AI Disruption. The 2026 Library Systems Report, an in-depth analysis of the global library technology industry authored by Marshall Breeding is now available on Library Technology Guides. The new report examines how libraries and vendors are responding to a period defined by financial austerity, workforce pressures, and accelerating disruption driven by artificial intelligence. While constrained budgets and staffing reductions continue to challenge libraries of all types, the report finds that many technology providers are continuing to invest in new products and services designed to improve operational efficiency and enhance patron engagement. [Full Announcement].

OCLC wins partial victory in lawsuit against Annn's Archive. United States District Court Southern District of Ohio Eastern Division issued its Opinion and Order for the lawsuit that OCLC filed against Anna's Archive in January 2024. [Full Announcement].

Invitation to participate in the 2025 Edition of the International Library Automation Perceptions Survey. The 2025 Edition of the International Library Automation Perceptions is underway. For nearly two decades (since 2007), this annual study conducted through Library Technology Guides has documented how libraries around the world view the systems they rely on to manage their collections and serve their communities. Your participation is vital in helping the profession understand how well current automation systems and discovery services meet real-world needs. [Full Announcement].

Executive Perspectives: A Conversation on the Future of the Library Technology Industry. Attending the ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia? Consider attending Executive Perspectives: A Conversation on the Future of the Library Technology Industry. The event is sponsored by CORE, a division of the American Library Association, and will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 from 1:00-2:00pm in the Philadelphia Convention Center Room 114 (Nutter Theater). [Full Announcement].

Library Perceptions 2025: Results of the eighteenth International Survey of Library Automation. The report "Library Perceptions 2025: Results of the eighteenth International Survey of Library Automation" has been published on Library Technology Guides. The International Survey of Library Automation provides a unique opportunity for libraries to evaluate their core technology systems, their associated vendors, and to offer their views on relevant topics and trends. This eighteenth edition of the survey received 2,531 responses. The 50,604 cumulative responses received since 2007 document interesting and important trends related to key technology products and vendors. [Full Announcement].

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. [Full Announcement].

Executive Perspectives: A Conversation on the Future of the Library Technology Industry. Meeting announcement for the ALA Annual Conference in San Diego. Marshall Breeding, author of the annual Library Systems Report published in American Libraries, will assemble and moderate a panel of senior executives representing organizations that produce software or services for libraries. Breeding will give a brief introduction and will then lead a lively discussion exploring the topic: Are Library Systems ready for the age of Generative AI? Generative AI has taken the business and consumer world by storm, and has advancing rapidly into the educational sector. Chatbots and search services powered by Generative AI have become commonplace. In the context of this widespread trend, library management systems, discovery services, and other strategic applications are just beginning to incorporate artificial intelligence capabilities. Is this cautious approach warranted, or should developers of library technology systems take a more aggressive path?

[Full Announcement].

Announcing lib-web-cats. Announcing lib-web-cats a resource of library Web pages, online catalogs, and automation systems. [Full Announcement].