Library Technology Guides

VTLS, Inc.. VTLS-developed KCPL Civil War on the Western Border website wins award. Kansas City Public Library’s Civil War on the Western Border website, developed in collaboration with VTLS Inc., won the 2014 Award for Excellence in Public History from the Society of Civil War Historians. The $5,000 award recognizes the Civil War on the Western Border website as an outstanding public history project that improves public awareness and understanding of the Civil War era. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. VTLS enhances MozGo mobile app for libraries with new features and integration. VTLS added multiple features to the latest version of its MozGo mobile app for libraries, with an emphasis on third-party service integration. MozGo now includes integration with Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, OverDrive and 3M Cloud Library. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. Virginia bill commends Dr. Vinod Chachra of VTLS. VTLS announced that Dr. Vinod Chachra, President and CEO of VTLS, was commended by Virginia House Joint Resolution No. 405 offered on February 28, 2014. The bill was introduced by Delegate Nick Rush, who represents House District 7. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. VTLS-sponsored American Libraries Live episode available online. VTLS sponsored and participated in American Libraries Live’s February episode, “The Library Website.” Thomas O’Connell, VTLS Product Manager, was part of the virtual panel for a 60-minute discussion about library websites. The episode streamed live for viewers on the American Libraries Live website at americanlibrarieslive.org, and the video recording of the episode is now archived on the website for viewing. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. VTLS enjoys success and growth in 2013. VTLS reports a period of growth and profitability in 2013 in multiple areas. VTLS added new customers, sold additional products to existing customers, made many product enhancements and hired seven new full-time employees at its headquarters in Blacksburg, VA. In addition, the new Open Skies library services platform is now available for delivery to beta testers. Open Skies is the new platform being offered by VTLS to integrate all library services including ILS, digital management systems, events and exhibits, open access software, e-books and licensed databases. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. VTLS Malaysia adds new customers in 2013. VTLS Technologies Sdn Bhd (VTLS’ Malaysian subsidiary) added five new name customers in 2013, expanding the strong customer base that VTLS has in the Malaysian library market. In addition to the new customer sales, five current Malaysian customers purchased an additional VTLS product. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. Russian International Olympic University in Sochi expands its VTLS product suite. The Russian International Olympic University, located in Sochi (home of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games), has recently purchased the VITAL Digital Asset Management System to manage the library’s digital content, and Chamo Discovery to provide public access to both VITAL and its Virtua integrated library system (ILS). These new implementations are part of the second phase in RIOU’s library project, following the installation of the Virtua ILS in December 2012. Also, as a part of its second phase, RIOU has added Virtua Acquisitions, Serials Control, the SIP2/NCIP interface and additional user licenses. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. National Library of Malaysia celebrates 25 years with VTLS. The National Library of Malaysia and VTLS celebrated their 25-year partnership at a special anniversary event on November 8, 2013 at the NLM’s beautiful 238,000 square foot home in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Dato’ Raslin Abu Bakar, Director-General of NLM, and VTLS President and CEO Dr. Vinod Chachra attended the event along with approximately 100 staff from NLM and VTLS Technologies Sdn Bhd (VTLS’ Malaysian subsidiary). [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. VTLS to exhibit and present at ALA Midwinter 2014. VTLS will exhibit at this year’s American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, taking place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA from January 24-28. VTLS representatives will be at booth 1243 in the Exhibit Hall throughout the conference to talk with attendees and demonstrate VTLS products. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. Universiti Putra Malaysia Celebrates 25-year Anniversary with VTLS. Universiti Putra Malaysia celebrated 25 years of partnership with an anniversary event on November 11, 2013. UPM’s Chief Librarian, Amir Hussain Mohd. Ishak and former Chief Librarian, Tuan Syed Salim Agha, both attended the event along with VTLS President & CEO Dr. Vinod Chachra, library staff members and staff from VTLS Technologies Sdn Bhd (VTLS’ Malaysian subsidiary). While the event was held a few days after a similar silver anniversary celebration with the National Library of Malaysia, UPM was actually the first VTLS customer in Malaysia. With its original VTLS implementation, UPM became the first library in Malaysia to automate with an online integrated library system (ILS), housed in its own computer room inside the library. VTLS is proud of its association with UPM, a proven leader in information technology, and is pleased to continue to enjoy the confidence and loyalty of UPM as a customer. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. Hamilton Public Library's Virtua ILS from VTLS goes live. Hamilton Public Library has completed implementation of its new Virtua Integrated Library System (ILS). The new system went live on November 18, a day earlier than expected, concluding the 9-month implementation. HPL selected Virtua earlier this year to meet the needs of its multiple branches with extensive collections and frequent patron activity. The implementation included migration of HPL’s data from its former SirsiDynix Horizon system, including circulation data (circulation status, patron blocks, requests, active and historical fines and housebound data) and open orders. VTLS also provided 13 functional and workflow enhancements, including improved interfacing with the Smart Money Manager by Comprise Technologies. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. VTLS integrates 3M Cloud Library into Chamo Discovery and MozGo Mobile App. VTLS has added e-book lending from 3M Cloud Library into the new versions of both Chamo Discovery and the MozGo Mobile App. Patrons can search through the library’s collection of 3M e-books, check them out or place holds, download them to their devices and check the status of their e-books all within the Chamo and MozGo interfaces. Including circulation makes the integration more seamless, allowing patrons to stay within a single interface and eliminating the need for multiple user authorization steps. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. VTLS adds simplified OverDrive e-book borrowing to Chamo Discovery and MozGo Mobile App. VTLS has introduced simplified e-book borrowing for patrons through both Chamo Discovery, a facet-based social OPAC and data discovery tool, and the MozGo Mobile App. The streamlined workflows will use OverDrive APIs to allow users to search for available e-books, check them out and download them to their mobile devices directly through the Chamo Discovery or MozGo Mobile App interfaces. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. KCPL launches VTLS-developed Civil War website. Kansas City Public Library’s Civil War on the Western Border website launched last week and features a new Drupal website with a unique relationship visualization tool, both developed by VTLS. The website provides access to thousands of pages of scanned documents from more than 25 contributing institutions relating to hostilities on the Missouri-Kansas border both before and during the Civil War. In addition to these materials, the website will include articles written by Civil War scholars, shorter encyclopedia articles, a map, timeline and digital gallery. The dynamic relationship viewer helps connect all of these digitized documents in a visual way, with the goal to enhance interest and help the learning process. The digital artifacts are stored in KCPL’s VITAL Digital Asset Management System. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. Chamo Discovery expands capabilities; now has over 100 libraries world-wide. VTLS announce that over 100 customers have now selected Chamo Discovery, an advanced Social OPAC and unified Discovery tool integrated into a single solution. VTLS attributes the growing success of Chamo to its continually expanding capabilities, its high performance and enhanced user features. Chamo provides unified access to the library’s print and digital resources (including licensed resources) with sophisticated search capabilities, eBook circulation and interactive features that encourage social participation. Unlike other offerings Chamo Discovery is built into the library’s OPAC web interface allowing patrons reach beyond the library’s collection to access electronic resources across the web, including free and subscription content. The “OPAC-centric” design helps keep the focus on the library instead of the database provider. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. VITAL Selected by Smyth-Bland Regional Library to Manage Digital Collections. Smyth-Bland Regional Library has selected the VITAL Digital Asset Management System to manage their library’s digital content. The library will be using VITAL to store their growing collection of digitized historic local newspapers and photographs and to make these materials accessible to the public. Through their website, they will invite the public to help identify events, buildings and people who appear in the photos. With the implementation of VITAL, SBRL becomes the first VTLS customer to have implemented the full range of VTLS products, including the Virtua ILS, Chamo Discovery, MozGo Mobile App, Fastrac RFID and a complete VTLS-developed Drupal website with fully integrated OPAC. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. VTLS completes Phase II implementation for Hong Kong Public Libraries. The second phase of the Next Generation ILS implementation at Hong Kong Public Libraries was formally concluded in June, 2013 and was marked by a gathering that included high-level executives, key members of the project team and representatives of the Hong Kong government. Phase II of the project included implementation of a separate Virtua database with development of additional features to automate the processes of the Hong Kong Books Registration Office, a legal depository for each book first printed, produced or published in Hong Kong. It also introduced 111 new Virtua ILS features created to meet specialized workflows and local requirements, as well as implementation of ILL and ERM solutions in cooperation with other suppliers. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. NUMed Malaysia selects Virtua ILS and Chamo social OPAC for library management and discovery needs. Newcastle University of Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) has selected the Virtua Integrated Library System and Chamo Social OPAC by VTLS Inc. for management of its medical library.NUMed selected Virtua through a competitive bidding process. It was determined that VTLS was the system that would best meet their needs. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. VTLS inducted in Technology Hall of Fame by Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council. VTLS was the recipient of first ever "Technology Hall of Fame" award in recognition of the lasting impact the company has had on the region by embodying the spirit of integrity and innovation that can serve as an inspiration to other companies and entrepreneurs. [Full Announcement].

VTLS, Inc.. VTLS CEO Vinod Chachra profiled in Virginia Tech's Research Magazine. Vinod Chachra, President & CEO of VTLS Inc., has been featured in Virginia Tech’s Research Magazine in the first of a series of profiles of the six inaugural inductees into the Virginia Tech Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. Appearing in the Spring 2013 issue, the profile outlines his career path as from a Virginia Tech faculty to Vice President of Computing and Information Systems and finally to the successful startup of VTLS as a global provider of library software solutions. The article also highlights Vinod Chachra’s guiding principles for personal success. [Full Announcement].