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Library Perceptions 2020: Results of the 13th International Survey of Library Automation

by , March 05, 2020.

The thirteenth edition of the International Survey of Library Automation collected data on how libraries perceive the effectiveness of the strategic technology systems upon which they depend for their daily operations and to fulfill the expectations of their patrons. This report presents and interprets survey responses gathered from November 2019 through February 2020. Repeating the survey annually reveals interesting trends and insights into the companies and products involved. The survey focuses primarily on integrated library systems and library services platforms as the applications used to acquire, describe, manage, and provide access to their collections. It also assesses the quality of support given from the respective vendor and probes interest in migrating to new solutions and attitudes toward open source alternatives.

2019 the International Survey of Library Automation
This report is an original publication
of Library Technology Guides.
Notable Observations
Survey responses suggest possible trends in the next phase of system selections for academic libraries. Ex Libris Alma continues to be recognized for its sophisticated capabilities, especially among large and mid-sized institutions. OCLC WorldShare Management Services is well regarded among mid-sized academics. An increasing number of academic libraries mention interest in FOLIO as it enters the implementation phase of its product cycle.
The migration away from legacy ILS products is in full swing. Most libraries using Millennium, Voyager, and Aleph noted they are considering moving to new systems. The number of libraries using these legacy products continues to diminish rapidly and will fuel the churn of the next round of system selections.
Academic libraries considering migration mention Alma as one of their replacement candidates more than any other product, though interest in FOLIO continues to build.
Products with steady or rising satisfaction scores and high migration indicators include Ex Libris Aleph, Ex Libris Voyager, SirsiDynix Horizon, suggesting a higher likelihood that these libraries will choose thier next system from their incumbent vendor. Both Millennium and Sierra show diminishing satisfaction scores, high migration indicators, and diminishing company loyalty ratings, suggesting interest in moving away from the current vendor to other alternatives.
Libraries using traditional ILS products expressed varying levels of interest in migrating to new products. About 15 percent of those on currently supported products, including Symphony and Library.Solution, indicated they were looking for a new system.
Libraries using modern web-based products have little interest in changing systems. Biblionix Apollo received high satisfaction scores and very few libraries using it are considering alternatives. Even through their satisfaction ratings are not superlative, libraries using Ex Libris Alma and OCLC WorldShare Management Services expressed little interest in changing systems.
Open source products have been adopted in all library sectors. Both major open source ILS products, Koha and Evergreen, show increasing levels of satisfaction, with variance depending on support arrangements. Awareness of the FOLIO library services platform continues to increase with 104 libraries mentioning it among their migration candidates.

3,234 libraries completed this year's survey, providing sufficient data to focus the analysis more on each category of library type and size rather than aggregating across all responses. Libraries of different sizes and types bring different expectations to their systems, making it essential to segment survey results to make meaningful comparisons and extract trends. The functional requirements of public, academic, school, and other types of libraries overlap to a certain extent, but in other areas each has distinctive, if not contradictory, functionality. Some of the products represented in the survey have been designed for specific sectors. For those used by multiple types of libraries, the analysis of the survey results by size and type of organization provides an opportunity to observe any differences in satisfaction across these categories.

Several themes are evident in the last few editions of the perceptions survey. Large libraries of all types have complex requirements and evaluate their systems on a much harsher scale than smaller organizations. Presenting results without regard to size categories would give misleading impressions. Products designed for small libraries would not be sucessful among larger and more complex institutions, despite superlative ratings by the small libraries that use them.

Conventional integrated library systems dominate public libraries, with top scores going to proprietary products in the largest tier and to those based on commercially supported open source software in the mid-size category. Small and very small public libraries also favored proprietary ILS products. In the academic library sector, survey results reveal notable patterns regarding library services platforms. These products received strong marks in most categories but are not rated as highly for managing print resources than legacy ILS products. Small libraries give superlative scores--with little differentiation among question categories--to products able to meet their basic requirements without complex features they don't need.

I appreciate the time given by all the libraries that responded to the survey this year and in its previous iterations. Each response contributes to a growing body of data available for the broader library community to explore as they consider their options regarding these strategic technology products. Libraries have always relied on recommendations from their peers as they make system decisions. This survey provides a large aggregation of evaluative data that can complement more in-depth conversations that libraries considering a system would have with specific reference sites.


Table of Contents



Introduction

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Launch the interactive version of the survey's statistical results

The 2019 Library Automation Perceptions Report provides evaluative ratings submitted by individuals representing 3234 libraries from 95 countries describing experiences with 132 different automation products, including both proprietary and open source systems. The survey results include 977 narrative comments providing candid statements -- both positive and negative – about the products and companies involved or statements of intent regarding future automation plans. This report analyzes the results of the survey, presents a variety of statistical tables based on the data collected, and provides some initial observations. It aims to provide information to libraries as they evaluate their options for strategic technology products and to the organizations involved in providing these products and services as constructive criticism to help guide improvements.

View the narrative comments given by responders
Selected Survey Findings: Top Performers
Symphony from SirsiDynix Symphony has seen steadily improving ratings in this survey since 2008. For the third year in a row Symphony received top scores among large public libraries and large academic libraries for customer support. It is notable that even through Symphony receives weaker marks by large academic libraries in categories related to functionality, SirsiDynix receives very positive ratings for its support services.
Large academic libraries gave Alma from Ex Libris highest satisfaction for general satisfaction, ILS functionality, functionality for print, and functionality for electronic resources. Among mid-sized academic libraries, Alma received highest rankings for general satisfaction, ILS functionality, and effectiveness for managing electronic resources. Only 3.7 percent of sites using Alma indicated interest in changing systems. For large and mid-sized academic libraries, Ex Libris received top company loyalty scores for its three products: Alma, Aleph, and Voyager.
Mid-sized public libraries gave Koha with support from ByWater Solutionstop ratings in all categories. Koha with support from ByWater Solutions has been implemented by both academic and public libraries and receives generally positive ratings in these diverse libraries contrary to the trend toward specialization by library type.
Biblionix has generally received superlative ratings from its customers since 2009. Small public libraries gave Apollo highest ratings in every category, except for company loyalty. Among very small libraries Apollo received the highest ratings in all categories. Apollo has been very well received by those using it. In addition to the strong numeric ratings, the narrative comments given are overwhelmingly positive.
Polaris received top rankings among large public libraries for general satisfaction, overall functionality, and print resource management.
OPALS, an open source ILS developed by MediaFlex, received highest scores in all categories among school and small academic libraries. The narrative comments voiced unanimous support for the capabilities of the software and especially for the implementation and support services.

Previous editions: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007.

Libraries make major investments in strategic automation products, both during the initial implementation period and in annual fees paid for support, software maintenance, and other services. They depend on these products for efficient management of their daily operations and to provide access to their collections and services. This survey report allows libraries to benefit from the perceptions of their peers regarding the quality of automation systems and of the performance of the organizations involved in their development or support.

Libraries in immediate need of replacing their current system, or in the process of making longer term technology strategies, benefit from data across a variety of sources as they assess options. Technical documentation, marketing materials, product demonstrations, product vision statements and functionality checklists represent some sources of information to help libraries evaluate automation products. The vendor community naturally provides information and materials that presents their products in positive terms.

Another important avenue of investigation involves data from libraries with first-hand experience of the products and vendors. This survey aims to measure the perceptions libraries hold regarding their current automation products, the companies that support them and to capture their intentions about future migration options. It also explores interest in open source library automation systems, a key issue for the industry. Though its large number of responses, the survey aggregates the subjective experience of many libraries to create meaningful results, reasonably informative about the collective experience of libraries with this set of products and companies.

The survey allows only one response per library and only one response per individual. This approach ensures that no one library or individual can disproportionately impact survey results. The survey checks for existing responses from each e-mail address or library record number in libraries.org as part of its validation routine.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

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The survey preserves the anonymity of the individuals responding as well as the institutions with which they are associated. Although response records contain data identifying the institution and the responders, extensive measures are taken to protect these data. Only the administrator of the survey has access to the raw survey response records. The tables of statistical summaries, interactive reports, and narrative reports are designed never to reveal identities of individuals or institutions. The survey publishes any narrative comments given in the responses. While preserving the original response comments, a duplicate of the comments are made in the survey records, with any identifying wording redacted. Names or institutions are replaced with a symbol indicating redaction: […].

Caveats

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Any interpretation of the statistics must be seen in the context that larger and more complex libraries do not rate their automation systems as favorably as small libraries.

Libraries may refer to the results of this survey as they formulate technology strategies or evaluate specific products. Although the impressions of libraries using a given product inform one area of investigation, libraries should be careful not to overemphasize the statistics or narrative comments in a procurement process. While it reflects the responses of a large number of libraries using these products, the survey should be taken more as an instrument to guide what questions that a library might bring up in their considerations than to drive any conclusions. Especially for libraries with more complex needs, it's unrealistic to expect satisfaction scores at the very top of the rankings. Large and complex libraries exercise all aspects of an automation system and at any given time may have outstanding issues that would result in survey responses short of the highest marks. While a given product may earn positive responses from one sector, it may not be a good choice for libraries with different requirements.

Constructive criticism

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The survey results also aims to provide useful information to the companies involved in the library automation industry. While many companies perform their own measures of client satisfaction, this survey may show perceptions quite different from internal customer surveys. The rankings in each category and the published comments can represent provide useful data to assist each of the companies hone in on problem areas and make any needed adjustments to their support procedures or product directions.

Survey Response Demographics

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Collection Size Categories
countmoreless
268010,000
91110,00150,000
41550,001100,000
508100,001250,000
342250,001500,000
256500,0011,000,000
3641,000,00110,000,000
3410,000,001
136No collection size data
3234Total of Categories

This year, the survey attracted 3,234 responses from libraries in 95 different countries. The countries most strongly represented include the United States (2,277 responses), followed by Canada (214), Australia (151), United Kingdom (121), Spain (58), New Zealand (33), and Ireland (21). As with the general demographics of the libraries.org database, the respondents of the library primarily come from libraries in English-speaking countries.

While the vast majority of responses continue to come from libraries in the United States, the survey aims to address the international library automation arena. This year the survey form was offered in English, Spanish (translated by Nieves González), French (translated by Alexandre Lemaire), German (translated by Susanne Schuster), Italian (translated by Andrea Marchitelli), Finnish (translated by Petri Tonteri ). Responses received from Spanish-speaking countries, included Spain (58), Argentina (4), Chile (7), Colombia (10), Mexico (6), Venezuela (1), and Uruguay (1). A total of 957 of the 3,234 total responses (29.6 percent) came from libraries outside the United States.

The survey received 3,234 responses: ( 2018=3,552; 2017=3,992; 2016=4,042; 2015=3,453; 2014=3,141; 2013=3,002; 2012=3,030; 2011=2,432; 2010=2,173; 2009=2,099; 2008=1,453; 2007=1,779 ). Across all its editions of the survey, the cumulative data collected totals 37,410 responses. The survey was open between November 14, 2019 and March 2, 2020.

There were 136 responses with no collection size data provided. These libraries were not able to be included in the parts of the analysis where libraries are segmented by size categories.

Public libraries were represented in largest numbers, with 1,242 responses, followed by academic libraries with 1,150. This year 293 responses came from school libraries.

The Survey Demographics Report summarizes the library types, countries, and products represented in the survey results:

General Information about the Survey

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Productcountreport
Symphony443ils report
Sierra402ils report
Alma383ils report
OPALS284ils report
Polaris226ils report
WorldShare Management Services156ils report
Koha -- ByWater Solutions130ils report
Destiny114ils report
Apollo102ils report
Horizon84ils report
Atriuum79ils report
Library.Solution67ils report
ALEPH 50060ils report
Evergreen -- Independent57ils report
Koha -- Independent53ils report
Voyager51ils report
VERSO48ils report
Millennium39ils report
Evergreen -- Equinox Software38ils report
EOS.Web30ils report
Spydus25ils report
Koha24ils report
Absys.Net15ils report
Koha -- PTFS Europe15ils report
Alto15ils report
Carl.X14ils report
Virtua14ils report

The survey attracted responses from libraries using 104 different ILS products. Those represented by more than 20 are shown in the accompanying table, with links that generate a report providing the survey results for that product for each year the survey has been offered. Many other products were represented in the survey with few number of responses. Systems with less than 10 did not appear in the main statistical tables. These responses can be seen through the individual ILS Product Reports.

This report is an original publication of Library Technology Guides and is not slated to appear in any print publication. Please direct any comments or enquiries to the author.

This survey and its analysis reflect my ongoing interest in following trends in the library automation industry. It is designed to complement the annual Library Systems Report feature that I have written between 2002 and 2012 for Library Journal and since 2013 for American Libraries. The survey underlying the Library Systems Report article relies on information provided by the companies that offer library automation products and services. The survey that serves as the basis for this article collects data from the libraries themselves.


Survey Results

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Migration Patterns and Trends

The survey provides the opportunity for libraries to indicate interest in migrating to a new system and what candidate systems are under consideration. The percentages shown reflect the number of responses where the library indicated that it is shopping for a new system relative to the total number of responses for that product. This table summarizes responses where the library indicates it is shopping for a new system.

Percent of Libraries Considering Moving to new ILS
Current ILS 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
ALEPH 500 9.1% 13.6% 11.9% 18.9% 25.7% 34.6% 40.4% 45.7% 55.3% 64.6% 66.9% 75.0% 78.3%
Alma -- -- -- -- -- 25.0% 16.7% 4.3% 2.3% 2.5% 1.2% 3.2% 3.7%
Apollo 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 3.5% 0.9% 0.0% 1.8% 2.9%
Horizon 49.3% 61.5% 45.2% 57.3% 54.7% 49.7% 45.4% 42.2% 34.9% 28.6% 31.6% 35.0% 25.0%
Library.Solution 12.1% 3.3% 8.7% 14.3% 14.4% 13.6% 12.9% 10.8% 18.3% 12.4% 25.2% 22.5% 16.4%
Millennium 6.4% 8.6% 11.7% 18.7% 31.2% 42.4% 45.3% 56.9% 65.5% 75.0% 71.3% 74.2% 82.1%
Polaris 1.6% 9.4% 6.5% 5.8% 1.9% 1.2% 0.7% 5.3% 7.9% 7.3% 7.9% 8.1% 8.4%
Sierra -- -- -- -- -- 3.1% 6.4% 10.8% 12.9% 13.4% 19.2% 21.4% 33.1%
Symphony 14.9% 23.1% 15.8% 20.2% 22.5% 20.4% 20.4% 20.8% 18.0% 18.6% 19.8% 18.7% 16.7%
Voyager 21.6% 21.8% 19.5% 32.3% 38.3% 49.4% 50.9% 67.5% 69.2% 66.7% 69.7% 83.1% 82.4%
WorldShare Management Services -- -- -- -- 0.0% 0.0% 3.1% 4.1% 3.2% 6.0% 7.0% 9.2% 5.1%

Three legacy systems show signs that they have entered a final phase of thier product cycle, with over 75 percent of the libraries using them stating interest in migration (Voyager: 82.4; Aleph: 78.3; Millennium:82.1); We can anticipate that the numbers of libraries using these products to fall even more rapidly in the next few years. But we cannot expect full extinction of any of these products for quite some time. There will be residual libraries using these products for at least another five years.

Libraries using SirsiDynix Horizon have shown a diminishing interest in migrating to new systems since 2010; In the last two years interest in migrating decreased from 35 percent to 25 percent. SirsiDynix asserts that it will continue to support Horizon for the indefinite future and libraries using it show only moderate interest in changing.

Several flagship ILS products show a moderate interest in migration (Library.Solution: 16.4; Sierra 33.1; Symphony 16.7). About eight percent of libraries using Polaris and five percent of those using WorldShare Management Services indicated interest in migrating.

Products with only negligible interest include Alma (3.7%) and Apollo (2.9%)

The academic library arena remains in a phase of migrations away from legacy products. The survey provides some indicators which may indicate the direction of future migrations:

  • Aleph: 60 libraries responded; 78.3 percent indicated interest in migration; most (34) included Alma as a replacement candidate; 17 mentioned FOLIO; and 8 WMS. 6.40 loyalty score
  • Voyager: 51 libraries responded; 82.4 percent indicated interest in migration; 32 included Alma as a replacement candidate; 12 mentioned FOLIO; 7 mentioned WMS. 6.86 loyalty score.
  • Millennium: 39 libraries responded; 82.1 percent indicated interest in migration; 16 indicated Alma as a replacement candidate; 4 mentioned Sierra; 5 mentioned FOLIO; 4.21 loyalty score

Large and mid-sized academic libraries give Alma high ratings for overall functionality and for electronic resource management, but give it weaker scores for managing print. These libraries give Sierra, Symphony, Aleph, and Voyager higher scores for managing print resources. Given that academic libraries spend ever smaller proportions of their collection budgets on print resources, perceived weaknesses in this category does not diminish the strategic impact of library services platforms such as Alma and WorldShare Management Services. Small academic libraries, which use Alma as members of consortia, generally gave Alma lower ratings. Alma’s ratings show strengths in larger academic institutions and for managing electronic resources. The libraries using Alma indicate very low interest in changing systems. Academic libraries using legacy systems identify Alma as a migration candidate more than any other product. All these factors can be seen as indicators of the continued momentum of Alma among large and mid-sized academic libraries. Interest in FOLIO shown through migration intentions continues to build, though with only one library in production, this product does not appear in the satisfaction ratings.

In order to identify potential patterns of future system migrations, the survey asks for the names of the products that the library is considering. In most cases, the responses included multiple products under consideration. The candidate systems mentioned may indicate serious evaluation or mere name recognition. Tabulating the names of the products listed shows strong interest in Alma (175), WorldShare Management Services (76), FOLIO (104), Koha (104), Sierra (41), Polaris (18), and Symphony (38). When asked about open source interest regardless of active plans to change systems, 229 mentioned Koha, 184 mentioned FOLIO, 84 mentioned Evergreen, and 2 mentioned TIND.

FOLIO, though still in development, has been begun its initial implementation phase. One library implemented it in 2019 and others are expected to place the product into production later in 2020 and 2021. Without broader implementation, this survey cannot yet address its performance, but can measure interest. FOLIO has been mentioned by a growing number of libraries as a possible migration candidate. (In 2019 104 libraries looking for a new system listed FOLIO among products under consideration; 2018: 65; 2017: 59; 2016: 41). 6 libraries using Alma noted interest in FOLIO; five of these libraries indicated they were considering changing systems.

The following table summarizes data provided on survey responses relating to whether the library is planning to migrate to a new system in the near future and candidate systems under consideration.

2019 Migration Intentions
Current ILS Resp Shopping Percent Academic Alma WorldShare Polaris Sierra Symphony FOLIO Koha Evergreen TIND
ALEPH 500 60 47 78.3 34 34806017600
Horizon 84 21 25.0 8 412072410
Library.Solution 67 11 16.4 1 003010000
Millennium 39 32 82.1 21 16811034303
Sierra 402 133 33.1 82 5027396351873
Polaris 226 19 8.4 1 113020620
Symphony 443 74 16.7 33 191065612941
Voyager 51 42 82.4 32 32703212101
Any Product 1757618413810469199

Note: These figures represent the number of times each product was mentioned among the candidates listed. The matrix lists only selected current ILS products and candidate systems under consideration. The sum of values given at the bottom of each column represents the total number of times the product was mentioned as a replacement candidate, including for products not among those selected for the table. The highlighted values indicate where the candidate system mentioned is provided by the same company as the incumbent.

International Perspective

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The survey aims for a broad international perspective. Responses were received from the international clients of the systems commonly used in the United States as well as those that may be used primarily within other geographic regions or countries. A total of 1,006 responses were received from libraries located outside of the United States. Many of the products more familiar outside of the United States did not receive an adequate number of responses to appear in the main statistical tables.

";
International Responses
product Total responsesUnited StatesInternational
All Products 3,2342,277957
Symphony 443286157
Horizon 845430
Sierra 40232082
Millennium 392811
Polaris 22618640
Aleph 601941
Voyager 51483
Alma 383242141
Axiell Aurora 505
WorldShare Management Services15611838
AbsysNet 15015

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Innovative company profile

Innovative Interfaces, Inc.

Innovative Interfaces develops and supports a variety of technology products for libraries, including Sierra, Polaris, and Virtua. Its Millennium ILS, the predecessor to Sierra continues to be widely used, though the number of implementations is declining rapidly. The company is active in almost all global regions. Libraries of all types and sizes have implemented the products of Innovative (view company profile). The company was well represented in this year’s survey results with 402 from libraries using Sierra, 227 using Polaris, 39 using Millennium, and 14 using Virtua, or 682 in total.

Innovative has seen changes in its ownership over the course of this survey. The company saw a change of ownership in Mar 2012 and subsequently acquired Polaris (Mar 2014) and VTLS (Jun 2014). More recently, Innovative was acquired by ProQuest in January 2020. This timeline of events can be considered in relation to the survey results over this period.

Sierra

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Sierra (full statistical report and narrative comments) has been implemented by many types of libraries throughout many international regions. This year responses were completed by 393 libraries, including 189 academic libraries, 146 publics, 22 consortia and 4 special library. Loyalty scores were weak overall (5.22), with large public libraries (4.86) and large academics (4.44) expressing the least commitment to acquiring their next system from this company. When considering ratings given over time, ILS Support declined significantly from 7.96 in 2012 to 5.17 in 2015, but has increased slightly since, with 5.26 this year. General satisfaction decreased slightly since last year down to 6.27 from 5.92. Innovative’s steep decline in performance ratings coincide with the transition of the company to private equity ownership in 2012. 133 out of the 402 responses (33.1%) indicated interest in moving from Sierra to a new system.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Sierra Responses by Sector
SierraallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS3935.92 676.34685.21475.30886.41396.10145.501205.00
ILSFunctionality3956.18 676.39685.78475.55886.52406.20146.001215.76
PrintFunctionality3937.06 677.42676.93477.43876.68406.83147.001216.95
ElectronicFunctionality3914.96 665.11674.33474.40865.69405.13143.711213.62
SatisfactionCustomerSupport3915.26 655.85684.74474.81865.71404.92144.001214.38
CompanyLoyalty3905.22 675.61684.38464.46865.80405.25144.861214.86

Millennium

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A decreasing number of libraries continue to use Millennium (full product report and narrative comments) with many shifting to Sierra and other products (see selection/deselection report). Of the libraries that continue to use Millennium, the proportion of academics are higher than publics compared to Sierra (see graph of Millennium sites by type).

The numbers of responses from libraries using Millennium have declined since 2011 when 455 responded, consistent with the gradual migration from this legacy product. 39 libraries using Millennium responded this year (2018=66; 2017=94; 2016=144; 2015=174; 2014=210; 2013=248; 2012=389; 2011=454). Over the editions of the survey, Millennium has shifted from Innovative's flagship ILS to a legacy product. Out of the 39 libraries which responded this year, 32 indicated interest in moving to a new system. The percentages of libraries indicating interest in moving to a new system has increased from 6.4% in 2007 before the announcement of Sierra to 82.1% this year. Migration options mentioned included Alma (16), Sierra (10), WorldShare Management Services (8), Koha (3), Symphony (3), and FOLIO (4). More libraries mentioned Alma as a replacement candidate for Millennium than Innovative's own Sierra.

Response data from previous years for Millennium shows steady to rising ratings from 2007 through 2010, with declining satisfaction scores through last year. This year saw a slight in satisfaction scores across all categories, except for company loyalty, which continues to decline. (General satisfaction: 2007: 7.17, 2008: 7.08, 2009: 7.13, 2010: 7.11, 2011: 6.88, 2012: 6.68, 2013: 6.44, 2014: 6.12, 2015: 5.77, 2016: 5.14, 2017: 5.47, 2018: 5.23, 2019: 5.32). The survey results suggest that most of those libraries remaining on Millennium are not inclined to migrate to Innovative's own Sierra ILS, but are considering other options.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Millennium Responses by Sector
MillenniumallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS385.32 95.4494.8954.4020203
ILSFunctionality375.11 85.2595.3353.8020203
PrintFunctionality386.82 97.0095.8957.0020203
ElectronicFunctionality383.82 93.6793.6752.4020203
SatisfactionCustomerSupport374.59 95.2294.1154.4020202
CompanyLoyalty384.21 96.1193.1151.4020203

Polaris

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Polaris (full product report and narrative comments) has been implemented primarily by public libraries) within the United States and Canada, with 258 libraries responding to this year’s survey. Polaris continues to be well appreciated by large public libraries, earning top rankings in for general satisfaction (6.81), overall functionality (6.81), print resource management (6.83). Polaris ranked second in its scores for electronic resource management (5.77). The overall level of scores in the category of electronic resource management was substantially lower than others.

From 2007 through 2012 Polaris consistently was rated as one of the top performing systems, though in 2008 libraries gave somewhat lower ratings. From 2012 through 2015, ratings for Polaris have declined in all categories. Ratings since that time have seen only slight improvement. Company loyalty ratings have declined (6.45)

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Polaris Responses by Sector
PolarisallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS2207.41 87.13101267.48427.48126.331147.64
ILSFunctionality2197.34 87.13101267.44417.32126.171147.64
PrintFunctionality2157.74 88.00101247.59407.90117.731148.29
ElectronicFunctionality2186.19 85.75101246.25426.45125.501145.79
SatisfactionCustomerSupport2146.94 86.25101216.91427.10126.751147.43
CompanyLoyalty2106.45 85.13101196.39426.83125.671147.14
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Virtua

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This year 14 libraries using Virtua (full product report and narrative comments) responded to the survey. 6 out of these libraries stated interest in migrating to a new system (42.9%). The number of responses was too low for confident results. The ratings for across most categories were lower than last year. Ratings for loyalty increased dramatically (3.57 in 2018; 4.57 in 2019).

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Virtua Responses by Sector
VirtuaallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS145.21 53301000
ILSFunctionality145.43 53301000
PrintFunctionality146.93 53301000
ElectronicFunctionality144.14 53301000
SatisfactionCustomerSupport146.43 53301000
CompanyLoyalty144.57 53301000

Ex Libris company profile

Ex Libris

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Ex Libris (view company profile) specializes in technologies for academic, research, and national libraries, offering a wide range of products and services, including its current Alma library services platform, as well as Aleph and Voyager integrated library systems. This year 383 libraries using Alma, 60 using Aleph, and 51 using Voyager responded to the survey, for a total of 494 overall. Its products have been implemented by libraries in all geographic regions. Ex Libris was acquired by ProQuest in December 2015.

The libraries which have implemented Ex Libris products tend to be large and complex, and tend not to give superlative ratings. The perceptions of customer support from Ex Libris are moderate this year.

Alma

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Alma (full product report and narrative comments), designed for academic, research, and national libraries (graph of Alma implementations by type) earned top rankings among academic libraries with collections over 1 million volumes for for general ILS satisfaction (6.80), overall ILS functionality (6.83), and effectiveness of managing electronic resources (6.54). These libraries rated Alma's print functionality (6.95) below that of Sierra (7.43), and Aleph (7.08). Alma's satisfaction levels for managing print resources have risen each year since 2014. This lower rating for print functionality did not deter libraries from giving Alma the higest rating for overall functionality, reflecing the higher priority in managing electronic resources. Mid-sized academics rated Alma highest in the category of Overall ILS functionality (6.95) and effectiveness in managing electronic resources (6.53).

Alma was not rated as positively among small academic libraries. Its ragings were in the lower third of the pack, except in the category relating to the management of electronic resources, its scores were in the upper third (6.38).

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Alma Responses by Sector
AlmaallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS3756.70 916.771246.65936.800000126.92
ILSFunctionality3766.88 927.111246.95936.830000127.33
PrintFunctionality3746.97 917.221246.94936.950000126.92
ElectronicFunctionality3726.65 906.531236.85936.540000126.92
SatisfactionCustomerSupport3755.86 936.021235.88925.730000125.58
CompanyLoyalty3716.60 936.521226.72916.670000127.17

Voyager

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Voyager, (full product report and narrative comments), acquired by Ex Libris from Elsevier in Nov 2006, and developed specifically for academic libraries, (graph of Voyager implementations by type) though during a time when their collections included mostly print materials. Its legacy in print can be seen in its ratings were its functionality for print received its highest scores (7.02) and functionality for electronic resources received the lowest (3.46). Mid-sized academics gave Voyager low ratings in most categories except for company loyalty (7.43) and functionality for print (7.00). Small academics indicated a bit weaker company loyalty (6.50). The strong loyalty scores for libraries using Voyager can be seen as a positive indicator for eventual migration to Alma. Most libraries currently using Voyager indicate interest in migrating to a new system (82.4%). Of those considering migrating, more mentioned Alma among the candidate replacements (32). Others mentioned included FOLIO (12), WorldShare Management Services (7), Sierra (3), and Koha (1).

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Voyager Responses by Sector
VoyagerallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS515.55 145.50145.86105.0000001
ILSFunctionality515.33 145.50145.71104.3000001
PrintFunctionality517.02 147.07147.29106.7000001
ElectronicFunctionality503.46 143.29134.00103.4000001
SatisfactionCustomerSupport516.63 146.07146.86106.9000001
CompanyLoyalty516.86 146.50147.43106.5000001

Aleph

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Aleph (full product report and narrative comments), an established ILS product created by Ex Libris primarily for academic libraries (graph of Aleph implementations by type) continues to be used in many libraries, though the numbers are diminishing, (see selection/deselection report) driven by Aleph’s orientation to print materials and the increasing dominance of electronic resources in academic libraries.

Ratings in all categories were similar to those given last year, though company loyalty showing an slight decrease. Libraries using Aleph have shown a growing loyalty to Ex Libris from 2007 (4.65) through this year (6.4).

78.3 percent of libraries using Aleph indicate interest in moving to a new system. Large academic libraries using Aleph gave top ratings for company loyalty (6.83). Migration candidates mentioned included Alma (34), WorldShare Management Services (8), FOLIO (17), Sierra (6) and Koha (6). These statistics point to a trend that a large portion of libraries now using Aleph will stay within the Ex Libris fold and eventually move to Alma.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 ALEPH 500 Responses by Sector
ALEPH 500allAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS605.75 135.85186.11125.7511003
ILSFunctionality595.54 136.23185.89114.6411003
PrintFunctionality607.20 137.62187.56127.0811003
ElectronicFunctionality603.65 134.15184.11122.6711003
SatisfactionCustomerSupport566.23 126.75175.65116.4511003
CompanyLoyalty606.40 135.92186.22126.8311003

OCLC company profile

OCLC

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OCLC, a non-profit membership organization (view company profile), offers many different products and services to libraries. OCLC has developed WorldShare Management Services and WorldCat discovery service and supports a variety of ILS products acquired from other companies. This year 109 libraries using WorldShare Management Services responded to the survey.

WorldShare Management Services

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A total of 155 libraries using WorldShare Management Services (full product report and narrative comments), from OCLC responded to this year’s survey. This product has been implemented primarily in academic libraries; (graph of WorldShare Management Services implementations by type) all responses to this year’s survey for WMS were from academic libraries, except for 9 special libraries, 6 public libraries, and 1 consortium.

WorldShare Management Services did not receive enough responses to appear in the large academic library tables. Among mid-sized academic libraries, WMS saw its most favorable ratings for its management of electronic resources (6.38), second only to Alma (6.85).

From 2012 through 2014 ratings for WorldShare Management Services gradually increased, but have since declined. Scores this year saw little difference from those given in 2017. Although the graph of perception scores reflect a decrease since its intital introduction, the values in recent years are similar to those of Ex Libris Alma.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 WorldShare Management Services Responses by Sector
WorldShare Management ServicesallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS1556.82 687.24406.50105.4050131
ILSFunctionality1536.75 687.13386.34105.4050131
PrintFunctionality1557.10 687.41407.00106.4050131
ElectronicFunctionality1546.75 687.16406.38106.4050031
SatisfactionCustomerSupport1557.08 687.35407.08106.0050131
CompanyLoyalty1526.77 667.24396.67105.4050131

SirsiDynix company profile

SirsiDynix

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SirsiDynix (view company profile), provides its Symphony, Horizon, and EOS.Web integrated library systems and is developing a set of web-based complementary products delivered through its new BLUEcloud platform. The company saw a new ownership arrangement in December 2014 through its acquisition by ICV Partners from Vista Equity Partners.

This year 439 libraries using Symphony responded to the survey (2018: 473, 2017: 531, 2016: 436, 2015: 436, 2014: 354, 2013: 315, 2012: 380, 2011: 326, 2010: 271, 2009: 304, 2008: 233, 2007: 284). Another 84 libraries using Horizon and 30 using EOS.Web completed responses, for a total of 553 SirsiDynix libraries represented in the survey

Following the acquisition of SirsiDynix by Vista Equity Partners in 2006, ratings for both Symphony and Horizon dropped for all categories in 2008, but have improved every year since. Looking at this trend demonstrates that while there may be negative fallout following a business event, that a company can work to improve its perceptions over time. The ownership of SirsiDynix changed again in December 2014 with its acquisition by ICV Partners. This first year since that transition saw continued movement upward in perceptions scores for Symphony and Horizon. Ratings for EOS.Web have seen declining scores for the last two years.

Symphony

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SirsiDynix Symphony (full product report and narrative comments), finds use all types and sizes of libraries and in many throughout international regions.

Large academics libraries rated Symphony highest in satisfaction for customer support (7.06), as did large public libraries (7.65). Symphony received highest scores by large public libraries for electronic resource management (5.82), and second-highest scores among large public libraries for general satisfaction (6.71), overall ILS functionality (6.67), and company loyalty (7.00).

16.7 percent of libraries (74 out of 443 responses) indicated consideration of migrating from Symphony. Of those registering interest in changing, 33 were academic libraries. Candidate systems mentioned included Alma (19), WorldShare Management Services (10), Koha (9), Polaris (6), FOLIO (12), and Evergreen (4). 6 mentioned remaining with Symphony among the considerations.

SirsiDynix Symphony has seen steadily improving ratings in this survey since 2008.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Symphony Responses by Sector
SymphonyallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS4396.70 626.02286.43196.161536.97726.99236.39127.50276.59
ILSFunctionality4366.74 626.47286.21185.891516.90726.90236.35127.50276.70
PrintFunctionality4337.10 616.74287.00196.681497.15717.48236.43127.83277.41
ElectronicFunctionality4265.76 604.72285.46185.061486.21716.01225.73126.08255.64
SatisfactionCustomerSupport4237.22 616.75286.96187.061467.13677.57237.48127.67277.59
CompanyLoyalty4296.48 625.55276.04185.171486.73717.00236.30127.25267.04

Horizon

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Libraries using Horizon (full product report and narrative comments), continue to show less interest in changing systems, apparently accepting the messaging from SirsiDynix that it will continue to be supported in the long term. Horizon, implemented in many types of libraries, is the only legacy system showing decreased numbers in libraries considering migrating to a new system (see selection/deselection report). This year 21 out of 84 (25%) responses indicated interest in change, and dramaticly less than in 2008 when 61.5 percent of libraries using Horizon indicated they were shopping for a new system. Of those libraries indicating interest in mmoving away from Horizon, candidate systems included Symphony (7), Polaris (2), Sierra (0), Alma (4), WorldShare Management Services (1), Koha (4), and FOLIO (2).

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Horizon Responses by Sector
HorizonallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS836.57 97.0075.001206.80286.4697.0002
ILSFunctionality836.36 96.3374.711206.85286.3996.6702
PrintFunctionality837.34 97.7876.571207.20287.2997.8902
ElectronicFunctionality824.88 84.5073.431205.05284.9395.0002
SatisfactionCustomerSupport817.38 97.6776.861197.42277.2698.0002
CompanyLoyalty806.75 97.7875.141196.53276.5998.2202

EOS.Web

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EOS.Web (full product report and narrative comments), acquired by SirsiDynix in November 2013, received 30 responses in this year's survey. The product is used mostly by special libraries and does not appear in the statistical summary tables in this report. The responses from libraries using EOS.Web have been erratic across the annual editions of the survey. For the last two years results in all categories were sharply down over those seen in 2017.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 EOS.Web Responses by Sector
EOS.WeballAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS306.30 40010010
ILSFunctionality306.57 40010010
PrintFunctionality307.33 40010010
ElectronicFunctionality295.93 40010010
SatisfactionCustomerSupport307.13 40010010
CompanyLoyalty295.93 40010010

The Library Corporation company profile

The Library Corporation

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The Library Corporation (view company profile) working primarily with public libraries, offers the Library.Solution and CARL.X integrated library systems. This year there were 65 responses from libraries using Library.Solution and 14 for libraries using Carl.X.

Library.Solution

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Library.Solution (full product report and narrative comments), implemented primarily in small to mid-sized public libraries performed best in the mid-sized public library arena, from whom it received somewhat higher ratings than those given by small public libraries. Mid-sized public libraries gave Library.Solution moderate ratings in most categories. Libraries using Library.Solution give higher ratings for support (7.33) than for the other categories. 11 out of the 67 respnoses (16.4%) indicated interest in migrating to a new product. The Library Corporation has seen generally lowering ratings since 2015, though this year’s results are mixed relative to 2018. Company loyalty scores are lower than those for the other categories. It is interesting to note that while libraries give TLC strong ratings as a company and for support, they do not necessarily affirm loyalty as they consider new products.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Library.Solution Responses by Sector
Library.SolutionallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS657.00 86.7530346.7967.00087.130
ILSFunctionality656.85 86.8830346.6867.00086.750
PrintFunctionality647.41 87.6330337.0667.33087.750
ElectronicFunctionality586.17 76.2920305.6066.83086.880
SatisfactionCustomerSupport637.33 77.4330347.0067.17087.880
CompanyLoyalty646.63 85.7530336.0366.83087.750

Carl.X

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Carl.X (full product report and narrative comments), is used primarily by large municipal libraries and consortia. With only 14 responses this year, Carl.X does not appear in the statistical tables. Ratings given for Carl.X were substantially higher in this year in all categories commpared to those given in 2018. Libraries using Carl.X gave The Library Corporation thier highest scores for company loyalty and lowest for support for electronic resources.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Carl.X Responses by Sector
Carl.XallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS147.00 000367.67401
ILSFunctionality146.86 000367.33401
PrintFunctionality137.92 000268.17401
ElectronicFunctionality126.25 000266.67301
SatisfactionCustomerSupport137.31 000268.00401
CompanyLoyalty147.50 000367.83401

Biblionix company profile

Biblionix

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Biblionix (view company profile) is a small family-owned and managed business based in Austin, TX that focuses entirely on small and mid-sized public libraries and has developed Apollo an entirely web-based ILS deployed through a multi-tenant platform. This year 112 libraries using Apollo responded to the survey, all from public libraries.

Apollo

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Apollo (full product report and narrative comments), is a Web-based integrated library system implemented only by public libraries with small or mid-sized collections. Apollo was the top performer among small public librariesin most categories: general satisfaction (8.43), overall functionality (8.40), print resource management (8.67), electronic resource management (8.03), customer support (8.63), and company loyalty (8.63). It led the rankings among very small public libraries for every category: general satisfaction (8.55), overall ILS functionality (8.35), print resource management (8.15), electronic resource management (7.91), and customer support (8.63). It was rated second for company loyalty (8.23). This product has seen consistently positive rankings for all the years it has appeared in the survey. Within the realm of small and very small public libraries, Apollo has exceptionally happy customers.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Apollo Responses by Sector
ApolloallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS1008.48 000998.470001
ILSFunctionality988.26 000978.250001
PrintFunctionality998.43 000988.430001
ElectronicFunctionality977.96 000967.960001
SatisfactionCustomerSupport998.61 000988.600001
CompanyLoyalty948.21 000938.200001

Book Systems company profile

Book Systems, Inc.

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Book Systems (view company profile) develops software used primarily in schools and small public libraries, primarily in the United States.

Atriuum

This year 78 libraries using Atriuum (full product report and narrative comments), from Book Systems responded to the survey; 66 were from small public libraries, 4 from schools, and 3 from academic libraries. The company earned its strongest ratings in customer support (8.17); Since 2007 ratings across categories have been improving steadily.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Atriuum Responses by Sector
AtriuumallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS787.94 300628.033040
ILSFunctionality787.86 300627.903040
PrintFunctionality748.07 300588.103040
ElectronicFunctionality706.54 300566.543040
SatisfactionCustomerSupport758.17 200618.333030
CompanyLoyalty767.79 300607.883040

Civica company profile

Civica

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Civica operates primarily outside of the United States, with a strong presence in the United Kingdom, Asia, and Australia, and serves mostly public and school libraries.

Spydus

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This year 25 libraries using Spydus (full product report and narrative comments), from Civica responded to the survey, with most coming from small and mid-sized public libraries and outside the United States. Of the 25 libraries responding, only 1 indicated interest in migrating to a new system. Since 2011 ratings for Spydus have been mostly consistent and generally positive in all categories. Ratings have declined somewhat since 2016, but improved this year. Libraries using Spydus gave Civica lower ratings for support than for other categories.

The relatively low number of responses reduces the confidence that these rankings are representative of the broader community of libraries using Spydus.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Spydus Responses by Sector
SpydusallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS256.72 100117.0976.43200
ILSFunctionality256.72 100116.9176.86200
PrintFunctionality257.32 100117.6476.71200
ElectronicFunctionality246.21 100107.2075.43200
SatisfactionCustomerSupport256.04 100116.2775.86200
CompanyLoyalty246.50 100117.2776.71200

Koha logo

Koha

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Support providerResponsesGeneral Satisfaction
All Installations2797.65
ByWater Solutions1297.87
Independent538.06
LibLime116.73
Equinox107.50
Interleaf Technology82.88
PTFS Europe157.73
BibLibre4--
Catalyst3--

Koha (full product report and narrative comments), an open source integrated library system has been implemented by libraries of all types and in all parts of the world.

As an open source ILS, Koha can be downloaded and installed by libraries on their own, though many contract for installation, support, or hosting from commercial or non-profit support organizations. Those implementing Koha on their own are designated "Koha -- Independent" and others are qualified by the name of the support firm. The following table summarizes the number of libraries using Koha, their support arrangement, the number responses, and the general product support rating. Those with fewer than 6 responses fall below the threshold of performing the statistical calculations. This year 279 libraries using Koha responded to the survey. Libraries of all types use Koha, reflected in this year’s responses:

  • Consortium: 7
  • School: 9
  • Large Academic: 3
  • Medium Academic: 17
  • Small Academic: 91
  • Large Public: 0
  • Medium Public: 9
  • Small Public: 74

When aggregating response scores across all support arrangements, ratings given to Koha have been generally rising since 2011. Scores saw a sharp peak in 2010, while 2008 and 2009 were much lower than previous or subsequent years. Responses this year were consistent with 2018 except for the category of loyalty, giving a minor indication that some libraries using Koha were considering other providers or products.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Koha Responses by Sector
KohaallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS2797.65 917.37177.883748.0397.67097.7878.29
ILSFunctionality2787.47 907.26177.713747.7797.22098.1177.86
PrintFunctionality2748.01 897.74178.123738.2587.38098.2278.57
ElectronicFunctionality2676.16 885.98165.382706.3796.44097.5676.29
SatisfactionCustomerSupport2687.67 877.29177.242718.2098.11097.6778.57
CompanyLoyalty2577.14 826.57136.772717.6298.56098.3368.67

ByWater Solutions company profile

ByWater Solutions

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Koha supported by ByWater Solutions (full product report and narrative comments), (view company profile) offers support services for Koha, with most of its client libraries located in the United States. ByWater serves many different types of libraries (see charts for library type and library size). This year’s breakdown of the 129 responses included 65 public libraries, 36 academics, 5 consortia, and 4 schools.

ByWater Solutions earned highest scores among mid-sized public libraries in all categories: overall satisfaction (8.08), general ILS functionality (7.75), print functionality (8.42), effectiveness for electronic resources (6.25), satisfaction with customer support (8.50), and company loyalty (8.50). ByWater Solutions also received strong ratings among small academic libraries. 95.4 percent of its clients reported that their system was implemented on schedule.

When comparing rankings across the multiple years of the survey, ByWater saw diminishing satisfaction from 2010 through 2014, with a significant improvement since that year. Libraries contracting with ByWater Solutions gave slightly higher ratings for support and company satisfaction than to ILS satisfaction and company loyalty. The narrative comments given were overwhelmingly positive.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Koha -- ByWater Solutions Responses by Sector
Koha -- ByWater SolutionsallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS1297.87 317.5840578.1187.63045
ILSFunctionality1287.69 307.4040577.9687.25045
PrintFunctionality1268.19 307.8740568.3977.71045
ElectronicFunctionality1226.53 306.4030546.5086.63045
SatisfactionCustomerSupport1288.27 318.0340568.3688.13045
CompanyLoyalty1227.89 287.5430557.8288.50044

Evergreen

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Evergreen, (full product report and narrative comments). an open source ILS implemented primarily in consortia of public libraries received 111 survey responses this year. Of these responses, 91 were from public libraries, 9 from academics, and 7 from consortia. (see charts for library type and library size). Among small public libraries, Evergreen received the higher ratings for its print functionality (7.42) than for functionality for electronic resources (6.50).

Evergreen rely an a variety of support arrangements. This year, 38 responses were from libraries working with Equinox Software for hosting and support services, 57 were from self-supported consortia, and 5 from consortia contracting with MOBIUS for hosting and support.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Evergreen Responses by Sector
EvergreenallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS1117.41 66.3321717.55147.071078.29
ILSFunctionality1107.31 66.6721707.50146.931078.14
PrintFunctionality1107.66 67.6721707.80147.291078.43
ElectronicFunctionality1086.29 55.4021706.57145.501077.00
SatisfactionCustomerSupport1087.72 66.5021707.80147.501069.00
CompanyLoyalty1047.32 57.0021687.35137.771069.00

Follett company profile

Follett School Solutions

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Follett ranks as the leading provider of technology products for school libraries, with around 70 percent of the public school libraries in the United States using its Destiny products (chart of implementations by library type). OPALS holds a much smaller portion of the market share in the school library sector compared to Destiny, though libraries running OPALS respond enthusiastically to this survey.

Destiny

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Follett has developed its Destiny ILS primarily for the PreK-12 school library sector, though it is also used in small public libraries. This year 113 libraries using Destiny responded to the survey, with 80 from schools, 17 from small public libraries, and 7 from small academic libraries. (full product report and narrative comments). It is not surprising that school libraries rated Destiny higher than did public libraries. The general ILS satisfaction rating for school libraries was 7.84 and 6.53 for publics. This product was seen as weakest in functionality for electronic resources (all responses: 6.33; schools: 6.79). Destiny has seen steadily rising scores in the survey since 2010, with a spike in 2013. This year, scores were similar to those given since 1017 except for a small drop in company loyalty ratings.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 Destiny Responses by Sector
DestinyallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS1137.47 76.7100176.5300807.801
ILSFunctionality1137.37 76.5700176.5300807.691
PrintFunctionality1137.88 77.8600176.9400808.131
ElectronicFunctionality1066.33 76.0000134.6200776.741
SatisfactionCustomerSupport1117.61 77.2900156.9300807.831
CompanyLoyalty1107.13 75.5700166.0000787.511

OPALS logo

OPALS

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The open source OPALS ILS (full product report and narrative comments) implemented primarily in school libraries (chart of implementations by library type), received its usual enthusiastic response, with 283 libraries using OPALS completing the survey. OPALS was developed and supported by Media Flex, Inc. (view company profile). Many libraries using OPALS receive support services from their district rather than from Media Flex directly. In the state of New York, many of the BOCES provide OPALS for the school libraries they support. This year, 153 responses for OPALS came from school libraries, 14 from consortia, 7 from small public libraries, and 35 from small academic libraries.

OPALS received top ratings in all categories by libraries serving PreK-12 Schools: Overall satisfaction (8.86), ILS functionality (8.79), print functionality (8.88), electronic resource functionality (8.22), and company loyalty (8.67). OPALS also received top ratings in all categories for small academic libraries, though the number of responses was smaller than those from other products.

The following table presents the 2019 survey results by library type and size

2019 OPALS Responses by Sector
OPALSallAcademicPublicSchoolConsortium
smallmediumlargesmallmediumlarge
navgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavgnavg
SatisfactionLevelILS2838.78 238.742068.50001528.86148.50
ILSFunctionality2838.70 238.742068.50001528.79148.43
PrintFunctionality2848.82 238.872068.67001538.88148.57
ElectronicFunctionality2277.97 187.832057.00001338.22137.69
SatisfactionCustomerSupport2828.74 238.302068.00001528.84148.57
CompanyLoyalty2768.64 228.502067.83001508.67148.79

FOLIO

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FOLIO logo

FOLIO is an open source initiative to create a new library services platform with financial backing from EBSCO Information Systems (vendor profile) with initial development contracted to Index Data, and with the Open Library Environment providing community engagement and educational activities. See FOLIO Crosses New Thresholds published by ALA TechSource for further information on FOLIO.

FOLIO, following a four-year phase of development, saw its first implementation in 2019. Other libraries are expected to place FOLIO into use later in 2020 and in 2021. Once a larger number of libraries have implemented FOLIO, it will be interesting to see thier responses to this survey. Until that time, the results of this survey provide some indicators for the level of interest for FOLIO. Of libraries indicating interest in moving to a new automation system, 104 mentioned FOLIO as a candidate. FOLIO was mentioned in 19 narrative comments.


Selected Statistical Tables

Emphasis on Peer Groups

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Public, academic, school, and special libraries each have distinct expectations for their automation products. Previous editions of survey report presented results in comprehensive tables that aggregate results given across all types and sizes of libraries. With the increased number of responses, combined with the enrichment of survey responses with demographic data from each responding library from its entry in the libraries.org directory, for the last three years the results have been presented primarily within peer groups. Separate tables are included for the key areas of ILS satisfaction and functionality completeness for public, academic, and school libraries and according to collection size categories.

Tables assembled according to peer groups provide a more fair set comparisons as libraries consider the best products and providers to meet their future automation needs.

This approach enables libraries to make more balanced comparisons and interpretations of the results. Presenting results through amalgamated tables gives a false impression that the products that serve very small libraries perform at a higher level than more sophisticated products designed to serve larger and more complex automation scenarios. Stronger and weaker products emerge more clearly when presented within tables organized by library type and collection size. Examples of the category combination tables are presented below. The interactive version of the survey results dynamically assembles statistical result tables according to any combination of report category, library type, collection size, and country.

Public Libraries

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Large Public Libraries: General ILS Satisfaction (2019)

Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is the library with your current Integrated Library System (ILS)? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '500001') (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Polaris26 2 1 5 9 8 1 76.817 1.18
Symphony45 2 2 1 3 9 6 17 5 86.717 1.19
Horizon20 1 1 1 4 6 6 1 76.557 1.34
Sierra28 2 2 6 10 5 2 1 65.866 1.13
All Responses154 3 3 5 3 15 30 38 42 15 86.687 0.48

Large Public Libraries: Overall ILS Functionality (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How complete is the functionality of this ILS relative to the needs of this library? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '500001') (2019)

ILS Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Polaris26 2 6 10 7 1 76.817 1.37
Symphony45 2 1 2 3 9 9 16 3 86.677 1.19
Horizon20 1 1 2 4 9 2 1 76.307 1.12
Sierra28 1 3 2 4 6 9 2 1 75.826 1.32
All Responses154 3 2 9 4 12 31 47 36 10 76.517 0.40

Large Public Libraries: Effectiveness for print resources (2016)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's print resources? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '500001') (2019)

Print Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Polaris24 1 1 6 8 8 87.838 1.84
Horizon20 1 1 2 7 4 5 77.157 1.57
Symphony44 1 1 1 2 3 3 8 19 6 86.988 1.21
Sierra28 2 1 1 4 8 8 4 76.967 1.32
All Responses150 1 1 1 4 5 4 14 40 50 30 87.268 0.57

Large Public Libraries: effectiveness for electronic resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's electronic resources? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '500001') (2019)

Electronic Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Symphony44 3 2 7 6 5 13 7 1 75.826 1.21
Polaris26 1 1 1 2 6 3 8 4 75.776 0.59
Sierra28 1 2 4 2 5 5 5 2 2 44.325 1.13
Horizon20 2 2 3 3 3 4 2 1 64.305 0.67
All Responses151 4 5 10 10 17 27 23 35 16 4 75.336 0.24

Large Public Libraries: Satisfaction with customer support (2019)

Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is this library with this company's customer support services? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '500001') (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Support Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Symphony43 1 1 1 1 1 9 15 14 87.658 1.37
Horizon19 1 2 1 3 6 6 87.478 1.84
Polaris26 1 3 1 4 4 10 3 86.658 0.59
Sierra28 1 5 6 4 4 4 1 3 34.254 0.94
All Responses151 2 1 7 12 6 9 12 28 45 29 86.687 0.65

Large Public Libraries: Company Loyalty (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How likely is it that this library will purchase its next ILS from this company? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '500001') (2019)

Loyalty to Company Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Horizon19 2 1 2 3 4 7 97.008 1.84
Symphony45 4 1 2 3 4 5 17 9 86.698 1.34
Polaris26 1 1 1 2 3 5 6 2 5 76.237 1.18
Sierra28 3 2 1 2 3 7 3 4 2 1 54.575 1.13
All Responses153 11 3 3 4 7 15 18 22 35 35 86.417 0.65

Medium-sized Public Libraries: General ILS Satisfaction (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is the library with your current Integrated Library System (ILS)? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '100001') (CollectionSize < '500000') (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Koha -- ByWater Solutions12 3 5 4 88.088 2.31
Evergreen -- Independent13 1 3 7 2 87.628 2.50
Polaris57 2 4 5 17 23 6 87.258 1.06
Symphony90 1 1 4 8 16 24 24 12 76.867 0.63
Horizon28 1 1 3 6 8 6 3 76.687 1.32
Library.Solution17 2 1 4 7 2 1 76.247 1.70
Sierra54 2 1 3 11 9 23 4 1 76.047 1.09
All Responses341 4 1 5 11 7 32 46 107 85 43 76.827 0.43

Medium-sized Public Libraries: Overall ILS Functionality (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How complete is the functionality of this ILS relative to the needs of this library? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '100001') (CollectionSize < '500000') (2019)

ILS Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Koha -- ByWater Solutions12 1 3 6 2 87.758 2.60
Evergreen -- Independent13 1 4 6 2 87.548 2.50
Polaris57 1 1 3 7 19 19 7 77.237 1.06
Symphony88 1 2 1 2 2 5 17 21 33 4 86.737 0.85
Horizon28 1 2 3 3 11 8 76.617 1.32
Sierra55 1 1 2 6 12 21 10 2 76.457 1.08
Library.Solution17 1 2 1 3 5 5 76.067 1.70
All Responses340 3 2 4 12 9 22 55 101 108 24 86.797 0.43

Medium-sized Public Libraries: Effectiveness for print resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's print resources? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '100001') (CollectionSize < '500000') (2019)

Print Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Koha -- ByWater Solutions12 2 3 7 98.429 2.60
Evergreen -- Independent13 1 2 6 4 87.858 2.50
Polaris55 1 2 7 8 26 11 87.558 1.08
Horizon28 1 3 10 9 5 77.468 1.32
Symphony89 1 1 1 3 2 8 20 35 18 87.378 0.95
Sierra55 2 1 3 6 26 14 3 76.787 1.08
Library.Solution17 2 2 3 1 7 2 86.768 1.94
All Responses338 4 2 6 7 17 32 80 126 64 87.308 0.44

Medium-sized Public Libraries: Effectiveness for electronic resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's electronic resources? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '100001') (CollectionSize < '500000') (2019)

Electronic Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Koha -- ByWater Solutions12 1 1 3 3 2 2 56.257 0.87
Symphony88 3 2 4 4 4 13 11 21 14 12 76.097 0.85
Evergreen -- Independent13 1 1 3 1 3 3 1 55.927 2.50
Polaris57 2 1 4 6 9 8 18 6 3 75.826 0.93
Library.Solution16 1 4 5 2 4 65.506 1.50
Horizon28 2 2 1 2 5 4 8 3 1 75.466 1.32
Sierra55 4 2 2 1 4 14 13 6 9 55.226 1.08
All Responses337 17 6 13 20 20 58 51 75 54 23 75.736 0.38

Medium-sized Public Libraries: Satisfaction with customer support (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is this library with this company's customer support services? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '100001') (CollectionSize < '500000') (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Support Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Koha -- ByWater Solutions12 1 4 7 98.509 2.31
Evergreen -- Independent13 5 1 7 98.159 2.50
Horizon28 2 1 2 5 11 7 87.398 1.32
Symphony84 1 1 1 4 4 6 4 12 24 27 97.198 0.98
Library.Solution17 1 2 1 1 2 8 2 86.888 1.94
Polaris57 1 2 3 3 8 6 10 16 8 86.537 0.93
Sierra53 2 3 2 3 5 11 6 12 8 1 75.366 1.10
All Responses334 6 7 9 11 14 32 29 59 86 81 86.828 0.38

Medium-sized Public Libraries: Company Loyalty (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How likely is it that this library will purchase its next ILS from this company? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '100001') (CollectionSize < '500000') (2019)

Loyalty to Company Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Koha -- ByWater Solutions12 1 1 1 9 98.509 2.31
Evergreen -- Independent12 1 1 1 1 2 6 97.679 2.60
Symphony87 4 2 7 3 5 8 15 15 28 96.727 0.75
Horizon28 2 1 2 1 4 3 8 7 86.648 1.32
Polaris56 2 3 2 1 4 4 6 13 13 8 76.237 0.94
Library.Solution17 2 2 1 1 2 4 3 2 75.717 1.94
Sierra54 4 1 2 4 2 9 9 14 5 4 75.526 0.68
All Responses335 18 7 4 16 21 27 38 58 61 85 96.477 0.38

Small Public Libraries: General ILS Satisfaction (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is the library with your current Integrated Library System (ILS)? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '30001') (CollectionSize < '100000') (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Apollo30 4 9 17 98.439 1.64
Koha -- ByWater Solutions27 1 1 2 8 15 98.269 1.73
Evergreen -- Independent21 1 3 8 9 98.198 1.96
Atriuum30 1 1 5 10 13 98.078 1.46
Polaris46 1 1 7 8 19 10 87.598 0.88
Library.Solution15 2 8 2 3 77.277 1.81
Symphony67 2 1 3 2 2 9 17 25 6 86.847 0.98
Evergreen -- Equinox Software15 1 2 2 6 4 76.807 1.81
Sierra33 2 2 3 8 7 10 1 86.397 1.04
All Responses346 1 2 7 7 8 12 38 71 109 91 87.368 0.43

Small Public Libraries: Overall ILS Functionality (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How complete is the functionality of this ILS relative to the needs of this library? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '30001') (CollectionSize < '100000') (2019)

ILS Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Apollo30 2 2 8 18 98.409 1.64
Evergreen -- Independent20 2 1 9 8 88.158 2.01
Atriuum30 1 1 6 8 14 98.078 1.28
Koha -- ByWater Solutions27 1 3 4 10 9 87.818 1.73
Polaris46 1 1 5 11 19 9 87.578 0.88
Evergreen -- Equinox Software15 2 8 4 1 77.007 1.81
Library.Solution15 1 1 3 5 2 3 76.937 1.55
Symphony67 2 1 3 4 1 9 21 20 6 76.707 0.98
Sierra33 1 2 1 1 10 8 9 1 66.487 1.04
All Responses345 2 4 10 12 7 43 83 105 79 87.288 0.32

Small Public Libraries: Effectiveness for print resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's print resources? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '30001') (CollectionSize < '100000') (2019)

Print Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Apollo30 1 8 21 98.679 1.28
Koha -- ByWater Solutions27 1 3 7 16 98.339 1.73
Atriuum28 1 4 9 14 98.219 1.70
Polaris45 1 4 7 18 15 87.848 1.04
Evergreen -- Independent20 1 1 1 4 5 8 97.758 2.01
Library.Solution14 1 2 3 4 4 87.578 1.60
Evergreen -- Equinox Software15 1 1 4 6 3 87.538 2.07
Symphony65 2 2 4 2 8 13 30 4 86.918 0.99
Sierra32 2 2 2 5 10 8 3 76.417 0.00
All Responses338 3 3 1 9 12 6 28 58 110 108 87.508 0.44

Small Public Libraries: Effectiveness for electronic resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's electronic resources? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '30001') (CollectionSize < '100000') (2019)

Electronic Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Apollo30 1 1 4 9 15 98.039 1.64
Evergreen -- Independent21 2 1 3 4 5 6 97.058 1.96
Atriuum27 3 1 3 5 6 9 96.898 1.35
Library.Solution12 1 1 3 1 2 1 3 56.337 1.44
Koha -- ByWater Solutions24 1 2 1 1 6 4 6 3 66.337 1.84
Polaris44 1 1 1 4 3 3 4 10 12 5 86.307 0.75
Symphony64 2 3 2 3 9 5 8 12 17 3 85.817 1.00
Evergreen -- Equinox Software15 2 1 1 3 3 4 1 85.607 2.07
Sierra32 1 1 2 2 4 5 7 6 4 65.256 0.71
All Responses328 15 10 15 14 22 24 41 60 74 53 86.177 0.33

Small Public Libraries: Satisfaction with customer support (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is this library with this company's customer support services? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '30001') (CollectionSize < '100000') (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Support Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Apollo30 1 8 21 98.639 1.46
Atriuum30 1 1 7 21 98.539 1.64
Koha -- ByWater Solutions27 1 3 7 16 98.379 1.73
Evergreen -- Independent20 1 1 1 6 11 98.209 2.01
Polaris43 1 1 4 7 7 14 9 87.218 0.76
Library.Solution15 1 1 2 4 4 3 77.137 2.07
Symphony66 1 2 4 3 8 12 23 13 87.128 0.98
Evergreen -- Equinox Software15 1 2 2 2 1 1 6 96.737 1.29
Sierra33 1 2 4 2 4 8 5 5 2 65.646 0.70
All Responses340 2 1 6 9 13 19 35 46 86 123 97.398 0.38

Small Public Libraries: Company Loyalty (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How likely is it that this library will purchase its next ILS from this company? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize > '30001') (CollectionSize < '100000') (2019)

Loyalty to Company Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Evergreen -- Independent18 1 1 3 13 98.449 2.12
Apollo26 1 1 1 8 15 98.239 1.77
Koha -- ByWater Solutions27 1 2 1 5 18 98.199 1.73
Atriuum29 1 1 1 4 4 18 98.079 1.67
Symphony65 1 2 2 2 3 4 6 10 19 16 86.868 0.99
Polaris45 2 1 1 2 5 4 6 11 13 96.828 0.60
Evergreen -- Equinox Software15 3 1 1 3 1 6 96.477 1.29
Library.Solution14 1 3 3 2 2 3 46.217 1.87
Sierra33 2 5 5 6 9 2 4 76.066 0.87
All Responses331 9 6 11 5 20 18 26 43 69 124 97.068 0.44

Very Small Public Libraries: General ILS Satisfaction (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is the library with your current Integrated Library System (ILS)? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize < '30000') (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Apollo60 2 4 15 39 98.529 0.90
Atriuum28 1 1 4 8 14 98.189 1.51
Koha -- ByWater Solutions23 1 1 7 5 9 97.878 1.88
Polaris47 1 1 6 10 15 14 87.688 1.17
Symphony42 1 2 2 4 11 10 12 97.338 1.39
Sierra24 1 3 1 4 4 8 3 86.717 1.63
Destiny14 1 1 1 9 1 1 76.367 1.87
VERSO25 2 2 3 1 1 8 5 3 76.247 1.40
All Responses333 2 2 3 4 14 11 22 77 88 110 97.508 0.38

Very Small Public Libraries: Overall ILS Functionality (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How complete is the functionality of this ILS relative to the needs of this library? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize < '30000') (2019)

ILS Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Apollo58 1 2 6 19 30 98.299 0.92
Koha -- ByWater Solutions23 1 4 9 9 88.138 1.88
Atriuum28 1 1 2 2 9 13 98.008 1.13
Polaris47 2 9 10 12 14 97.498 1.17
Symphony42 1 1 2 6 9 9 14 97.438 1.39
VERSO25 2 3 4 5 7 4 86.767 1.60
Sierra24 1 1 2 1 7 1 7 4 66.637 1.63
Destiny14 1 1 1 1 8 2 76.367 1.87
All Responses330 2 1 2 8 10 8 41 63 92 103 97.458 0.39

Very Small Public Libraries: Effectiveness for print resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's print resources? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize < '30000') (2019)

Print Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Apollo59 2 1 6 17 33 98.329 0.91
Koha -- ByWater Solutions22 1 1 10 10 88.328 1.92
Atriuum26 2 1 3 6 14 98.129 1.57
Symphony42 1 1 2 5 9 10 14 97.528 1.23
Polaris47 1 1 1 3 2 10 14 15 97.518 1.02
Destiny14 1 1 2 6 1 3 76.867 1.87
Sierra24 1 3 2 2 5 6 5 86.797 1.63
VERSO26 1 3 1 3 2 3 7 6 86.588 1.57
All Responses330 4 1 1 6 12 16 22 59 92 117 97.528 0.39

Very Small Public Libraries: Effectiveness for electronic resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's electronic resources? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize < '30000') (2019)

Electronic Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Apollo58 2 1 2 1 4 19 29 97.959 1.05
Atriuum25 2 1 2 7 7 6 76.888 1.20
Polaris47 1 2 3 2 4 3 7 11 14 96.858 1.02
Koha -- ByWater Solutions23 3 1 3 1 7 8 96.838 1.88
Symphony41 1 1 1 4 3 4 10 6 11 96.767 1.25
Sierra23 1 1 1 2 2 7 7 2 76.707 1.67
VERSO25 1 2 5 2 3 2 6 4 86.086 1.60
All Responses316 18 5 4 9 21 18 26 52 83 80 86.708 0.45

Very Small Public Libraries: Satisfaction with customer support (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is this library with this company's customer support services? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize < '30000') (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Support Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Apollo59 2 1 11 45 98.649 1.04
Atriuum27 1 1 1 7 17 98.419 1.73
Koha -- ByWater Solutions22 1 4 6 11 98.239 1.92
Symphony39 1 3 1 4 7 12 11 87.318 0.64
VERSO26 2 1 1 2 1 8 11 97.318 1.77
Polaris45 1 1 5 6 8 9 15 97.298 1.19
Destiny12 1 1 2 2 3 3 87.178 1.44
Sierra24 1 1 1 2 5 2 8 3 1 75.837 1.63
All Responses319 3 3 3 2 9 19 23 48 78 131 97.608 0.45

Very Small Public Libraries: Company loyalty (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How likely is it that this library will purchase its next ILS from this company? (Library Type: Public) (CollectionSize < '30000') (2019)

Loyalty to Company Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Apollo58 1 5 1 3 9 39 98.199 0.66
Atriuum27 1 1 3 1 3 18 98.009 1.73
Koha -- ByWater Solutions21 1 1 2 5 4 8 97.108 1.96
Symphony41 3 1 1 2 2 6 5 7 14 96.738 1.41
VERSO26 1 1 2 3 1 2 4 5 7 96.467 1.18
Polaris42 2 1 2 2 7 2 10 10 6 76.367 1.23
Destiny14 1 1 3 3 2 1 3 56.216 1.60
Sierra23 1 1 1 5 3 1 2 5 4 45.876 1.67
All Responses320 16 4 6 7 18 28 20 45 58 118 96.918 0.28

All Public Libraries: General ILS satisfaction (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is the library with your current Integrated Library System (ILS)? (Library Type: Public) (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Apollo99 2 10 26 61 98.479 0.70
Atriuum65 1 2 3 9 21 29 98.068 1.12
Koha -- ByWater Solutions65 1 1 2 14 19 28 98.058 1.12
Evergreen -- Independent47 1 1 1 6 20 18 88.028 1.17
Polaris190 4 2 8 23 44 68 41 87.478 0.44
Carl.X13 1 2 5 2 3 76.927 1.39
Symphony255 1 6 3 7 5 16 39 63 78 37 86.927 0.38
Library.Solution42 2 1 3 4 21 6 5 76.837 1.08
Spydus21 1 1 1 3 10 3 2 76.767 1.53
Evergreen -- Equinox Software33 1 1 1 2 3 2 8 9 6 86.737 1.22
Horizon57 1 2 1 4 15 15 14 5 66.677 0.79
Destiny17 1 1 2 9 1 3 76.537 1.70
Sierra143 2 1 2 5 8 22 31 40 25 7 76.237 0.50
VERSO35 4 3 3 1 1 10 9 4 76.237 1.18
All Responses1220 7 8 18 28 34 73 137 304 333 278 87.178 0.11

All Public Libraries: Overall ILS functionality (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How complete is the functionality of this ILS relative to the needs of this library? (Library Type: Public) (2019)

ILS Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Apollo97 1 1 4 11 30 50 98.259 0.71
Atriuum65 3 2 3 9 19 29 97.948 1.12
Evergreen -- Independent46 1 1 2 7 20 15 87.898 1.18
Koha -- ByWater Solutions65 1 5 14 25 20 87.888 1.12
Polaris189 6 1 5 28 51 60 38 87.388 0.51
Symphony253 1 7 2 6 9 12 42 64 81 29 86.857 0.50
Evergreen -- Equinox Software33 2 3 1 3 11 9 4 76.857 1.22
Carl.X13 1 1 2 4 4 1 76.857 1.94
Spydus21 1 2 5 6 7 86.767 1.53
Library.Solution42 1 3 1 1 8 12 12 4 76.717 0.93
VERSO35 1 3 3 1 4 8 9 6 86.697 1.35
Horizon57 1 2 2 5 10 23 11 3 76.607 0.66
Destiny17 1 1 2 1 8 4 76.537 1.70
Sierra144 1 4 8 5 13 36 40 29 8 76.377 0.58
All Responses1214 5 8 12 40 37 52 177 303 350 230 87.097 0.11

All Public Libraries: Overall ILS Support (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is this library with this company's customer support services? (Library Type: Public) (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Support Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Apollo98 2 2 2 21 71 98.609 0.81
Koha -- ByWater Solutions64 1 1 8 20 34 98.339 1.13
Atriuum64 1 1 2 1 3 15 41 98.339 1.13
Evergreen -- Independent46 1 1 8 11 25 98.249 1.18
Horizon55 2 1 4 5 8 19 16 87.448 1.08
Carl.X12 1 3 6 2 87.428 2.31
Symphony242 3 1 2 7 12 12 18 42 77 68 87.298 0.58
VERSO36 2 2 1 1 2 2 11 15 97.288 1.50
Library.Solution42 1 1 3 2 4 9 15 7 87.078 1.23
Evergreen -- Equinox Software33 1 2 2 2 2 6 7 11 97.008 0.87
Polaris184 1 2 4 6 6 19 23 29 51 43 86.978 0.22
Destiny15 1 1 1 2 2 3 5 96.938 1.29
Spydus21 1 1 1 3 5 7 1 2 76.006 1.31
Sierra142 3 5 10 15 13 25 20 27 20 4 75.306 0.42
All Responses1188 13 12 27 36 43 84 100 187 303 383 97.198 0.12

Academic Libraries

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Large Academic Libraries: General ILS satisfaction (2019)

Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is the library with your current Integrated Library System (ILS)? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize > '1000001') (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Alma93 1 3 9 18 35 23 4 76.807 0.62
Symphony19 1 1 4 2 10 1 76.167 1.61
ALEPH 50012 2 4 1 3 2 55.756 1.44
Sierra47 1 3 4 9 6 12 5 6 1 65.306 0.29
All Responses211 2 5 11 19 31 39 61 35 8 76.116 0.48

Large Academic Libraries: Overall ILS functionality (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How complete is the functionality of this ILS relative to the needs of this library? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize > '1000001') (2019)

ILS Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Alma93 3 8 18 40 21 3 76.837 0.62
Symphony18 3 1 2 3 7 2 75.897 1.65
Sierra47 1 2 5 6 8 8 8 8 1 55.556 0.58
All Responses209 1 10 17 11 28 40 60 36 6 76.026 0.42

Large Academic Libraries: Effectiveness for print resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's print resources? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize > '1000001') (2019)

Print Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Sierra47 3 4 16 15 9 77.438 1.17
ALEPH 50012 2 1 3 6 87.088 2.02
Alma93 5 8 17 28 27 8 76.957 0.62
Symphony19 2 3 1 6 7 86.687 1.15
All Responses211 2 11 16 28 62 67 25 87.087 0.55

Large Academic Libraries: Effectiveness for electronic resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's electronic resources? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize > '1000001') (2019)

Electronic Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Alma93 2 2 4 10 21 30 20 4 76.547 0.62
Symphony18 1 1 1 2 4 6 1 1 1 65.066 1.65
Sierra47 2 5 5 7 4 4 9 8 2 1 64.405 0.15
ALEPH 50012 1 1 5 3 1 1 22.672 0.87
All Responses209 7 11 14 20 15 25 39 42 28 8 75.306 0.21

Large Academic Libraries: Satisfaction with customer support (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is this library with this company's customer support services? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize > '1000001') (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Support Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Symphony18 1 1 1 2 3 7 3 87.068 1.65
Alma92 1 2 5 6 25 23 21 5 4 55.736 0.63
Sierra47 4 1 4 4 6 7 6 11 3 1 74.815 0.44
All Responses207 6 3 8 12 14 36 43 46 23 16 75.796 0.49

Large Academic Libraries: Company loyalty (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How likely is it that this library will purchase its next ILS from this company? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize > '1000001') (2019)

Loyalty to Company Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
ALEPH 50012 1 2 1 1 5 2 86.838 2.31
Alma91 1 3 1 3 3 8 13 24 20 15 76.677 0.21
Symphony18 3 2 2 1 2 2 4 2 85.176 1.41
Sierra46 5 3 3 6 5 8 3 6 5 2 54.465 0.59
All Responses206 14 7 11 10 15 22 21 41 37 28 75.787 0.49

Medium-sized Academic Libraries: General ILS Satisfaction (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is the library with your current Integrated Library System (ILS)? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize > '200000') (CollectionSize < '1000001') (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Alma124 2 2 2 11 27 55 21 4 76.657 0.54
WorldShare Management Services40 2 1 3 10 17 7 76.507 0.95
Symphony28 1 3 1 8 7 6 2 66.437 0.76
ALEPH 50019 1 2 1 2 8 5 76.217 1.15
Voyager14 2 1 2 2 6 1 75.867 1.60
Sierra68 1 3 5 6 6 15 9 15 7 1 55.215 0.85
All Responses357 3 3 11 17 21 40 68 118 61 15 76.217 0.32

Medium-sized Academic Libraries: Overall ILS functionality (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How complete is the functionality of this ILS relative to the needs of this library? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize > '200000') (CollectionSize < '1000001') (2019)

ILS Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Alma124 1 6 9 15 53 30 10 76.957 0.63
WorldShare Management Services38 1 2 1 4 8 16 5 1 76.347 0.97
Symphony28 1 3 4 6 8 4 2 76.217 1.13
ALEPH 50019 1 1 1 4 2 6 4 76.007 1.15
Sierra68 1 1 3 7 5 7 13 18 11 2 75.786 0.97
Voyager14 1 1 1 1 5 4 1 65.716 1.60
All Responses355 3 3 6 17 26 33 61 118 65 23 76.357 0.37

Medium-sized Academic Libraries: Effectiveness for print resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's print resources? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize > '200000') (CollectionSize < '1000001') (2019)

Print Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
ALEPH 50019 3 2 2 4 8 97.638 1.15
Voyager14 2 4 6 2 87.298 2.41
Symphony28 1 1 1 4 7 12 2 87.008 1.13
WorldShare Management Services40 2 2 1 5 13 13 4 77.007 1.26
Alma124 1 1 5 12 20 38 34 13 76.947 0.45
Sierra67 1 2 1 2 6 8 16 20 11 86.937 1.10
All Responses356 2 4 7 13 27 50 92 108 53 87.037 0.26

Medium-sized Academic Libraries: Effectiveness for electronic resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's electronic resources? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize > '200000') (CollectionSize < '1000001') (2019)

Electronic Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Alma123 1 2 3 15 15 47 32 8 76.857 0.63
WorldShare Management Services40 2 1 8 10 10 6 3 66.386 0.79
Symphony28 1 5 2 2 8 5 3 2 65.466 0.76
Sierra67 4 5 8 5 12 9 10 11 3 44.334 0.61
ALEPH 50019 3 2 2 2 2 5 2 1 64.055 0.46
Voyager13 1 4 2 1 1 2 1 1 24.003 1.94
All Responses352 14 13 23 21 26 44 62 81 49 19 75.536 0.37

Medium-sized Academic Libraries: Satisfaction with customer support (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is this library with this company's customer support services? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize > '200000') (CollectionSize < '1000001') (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Support Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
WorldShare Management Services40 1 1 2 2 4 11 12 7 87.087 1.11
Symphony28 1 3 6 6 6 6 66.967 1.13
Voyager14 2 2 1 3 3 3 76.867 1.87
Alma123 1 7 5 10 16 36 32 11 5 65.886 0.36
ALEPH 50018 1 1 2 1 2 2 3 6 85.727 0.71
Sierra68 4 3 5 10 7 10 11 11 5 2 64.745 0.61
All Responses354 9 4 18 20 25 44 67 75 55 37 75.996 0.21

Medium-sized Academic Libraries: Company loyalty (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How likely is it that this library will purchase its next ILS from this company? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize > '200000') (CollectionSize < '1000001') (2019)

Loyalty to Company Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
Voyager14 2 1 2 4 5 97.438 2.41
Alma122 3 1 1 9 15 14 33 25 21 76.727 0.54
WorldShare Management Services39 2 1 1 5 7 5 9 9 86.677 1.12
ALEPH 50019 1 1 1 4 1 2 6 3 86.217 0.46
Symphony27 1 1 1 4 3 4 5 4 4 76.046 0.77
Sierra68 13 3 4 4 9 8 4 12 8 3 04.385 0.61
All Responses348 25 8 16 10 30 42 33 66 65 53 75.917 0.32

Smaller Academic Libraries: General ILS Satisfaction (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is the library with your current Integrated Library System (ILS)? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize < '200001') (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS23 1 3 19 98.749 1.67
Koha -- Independent20 8 3 9 98.058 2.01
Koha13 1 1 1 4 6 97.928 2.22
Koha -- ByWater Solutions31 1 2 3 4 11 10 87.588 1.62
WorldShare Management Services68 1 1 4 12 19 18 13 77.247 0.24
Alma91 3 2 3 8 16 27 21 11 76.777 0.73
Sierra67 1 2 1 3 7 16 25 9 3 76.347 0.24
Symphony62 2 2 4 1 4 6 8 17 15 3 76.027 0.64
ALEPH 50013 1 5 2 5 55.856 1.11
Voyager14 1 2 2 2 2 1 4 85.506 0.80
All Responses535 6 6 17 8 23 52 74 139 122 88 76.737 0.22

Smaller Academic Libraries: Overall ILS functionality (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How complete is the functionality of this ILS relative to the needs of this library? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize < '200001') (2019)

ILS Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS23 1 3 19 98.749 1.88
Koha -- Independent20 2 5 4 9 98.008 2.01
Koha13 1 1 1 3 2 5 97.468 1.94
Koha -- ByWater Solutions30 1 1 1 3 4 14 6 87.408 1.64
WorldShare Management Services68 2 5 12 22 15 12 77.137 0.61
Alma92 2 3 3 5 8 30 23 18 77.117 0.73
Symphony62 3 2 3 6 8 23 12 5 76.477 0.64
Sierra67 1 2 3 4 9 10 16 17 5 86.397 0.61
ALEPH 50013 1 2 4 5 1 76.236 1.94
Voyager14 1 3 2 2 2 4 85.506 0.80
All Responses534 2 6 10 24 19 35 78 144 125 91 76.827 0.22

Smaller Academic Libraries: Effectiveness for print resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's print resources? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize < '200001') (2019)

Print Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS23 3 20 98.879 1.67
Koha13 1 1 5 6 98.238 2.22
Koha -- Independent19 6 7 6 88.008 1.84
Koha -- ByWater Solutions30 1 1 1 4 10 13 97.878 1.64
ALEPH 50013 1 1 5 1 5 77.627 1.94
Sierra67 1 1 1 2 7 17 24 14 87.428 0.61
WorldShare Management Services68 2 7 7 15 19 18 87.418 0.85
Alma91 2 5 5 8 27 25 19 77.227 0.73
Voyager14 5 3 6 87.077 1.60
Symphony61 2 2 3 8 7 12 20 7 86.747 0.77
All Responses530 1 2 9 3 15 27 49 124 164 136 87.408 0.26

Smaller Academic Libraries: Effectiveness for electronic resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's electronic resources? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize < '200001') (2019)

Electronic Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS18 1 3 12 2 87.838 1.65
WorldShare Management Services68 1 1 5 13 17 21 10 87.167 0.36
Koha -- Independent20 1 1 2 2 7 4 3 76.707 2.01
Alma90 1 2 2 5 16 12 19 24 9 86.537 0.53
Koha -- ByWater Solutions30 1 1 2 1 6 1 6 6 6 56.407 1.64
Koha12 2 2 2 2 4 96.178 1.44
Sierra66 6 7 6 3 13 10 10 7 4 55.115 0.25
Symphony60 6 4 3 3 6 11 9 14 3 1 74.725 0.00
ALEPH 50013 1 1 1 1 2 4 1 2 54.155 0.00
Voyager14 1 3 3 2 3 2 13.293 0.53
All Responses520 20 27 26 27 29 71 68 109 98 45 75.756 0.04

Smaller Academic Libraries: Satisfaction with customer support (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is this library with this company's customer support services? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize < '200001') (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Support Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS23 1 1 3 18 98.309 0.63
Koha -- ByWater Solutions31 1 3 3 7 17 98.039 1.62
Koha12 1 2 1 1 7 97.509 2.60
WorldShare Management Services68 1 1 3 1 2 8 8 24 20 87.358 0.36
Koha -- Independent17 1 2 2 2 3 7 97.128 1.46
Symphony61 2 2 1 2 11 3 10 18 12 86.757 0.64
ALEPH 50012 1 2 2 3 2 2 76.757 2.02
Voyager14 1 2 3 2 1 5 86.076 2.14
Alma93 2 3 4 3 7 11 17 22 15 9 76.026 0.41
Sierra65 5 4 5 11 13 13 12 2 65.856 0.50
All Responses526 6 13 14 19 35 48 63 81 114 133 96.717 0.22

Smaller Academic Libraries: Company loyalty (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How likely is it that this library will purchase its next ILS from this company? (Library Type: Academic) (CollectionSize < '200001') (2019)

Loyalty to Company Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS22 2 3 17 98.509 1.07
Koha -- ByWater Solutions28 2 1 2 2 4 17 97.549 1.70
WorldShare Management Services66 1 1 1 2 2 4 3 12 21 19 87.248 0.12
Alma93 2 2 3 4 18 7 21 21 15 76.527 0.41
Voyager14 1 2 1 3 1 3 3 66.507 2.41
Koha -- Independent16 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 4 95.947 1.25
ALEPH 50013 1 1 1 1 3 3 3 65.926 1.11
Sierra67 4 2 5 1 8 7 11 11 11 7 65.616 0.24
Symphony62 4 6 2 4 2 7 5 13 13 6 75.557 0.89
All Responses523 30 16 21 10 31 55 48 84 108 120 96.327 0.31

All Academic Libraries: General ILS Satisfaction (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is the library with your current Integrated Library System (ILS)? (Library Type: Academic) (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS35 1 1 4 29 98.669 1.35
Koha -- Independent30 1 9 7 13 98.078 1.64
Koha14 1 1 1 4 7 98.009 2.14
Koha -- ByWater Solutions35 1 2 4 5 13 10 87.548 1.52
WorldShare Management Services120 1 4 4 8 25 39 26 13 76.827 0.18
Alma313 6 4 8 30 61 120 65 19 76.727 0.34
Symphony112 3 2 4 2 9 12 18 35 22 5 76.137 0.47
Horizon19 1 2 1 4 3 2 2 4 56.116 1.38
ALEPH 50045 1 5 2 11 3 16 7 75.917 0.75
Sierra185 1 5 10 11 20 28 37 46 22 5 75.646 0.51
Voyager38 1 5 4 10 5 8 5 55.505 0.97
Millennium24 2 1 1 4 5 5 5 1 54.965 1.02
All Responses1135 9 11 34 37 67 127 184 325 219 122 76.457 0.15

All Academic Libraries: General ILS Functionality (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How complete is the functionality of this ILS relative to the needs of this library? (Library Type: Academic) (2019)

ILS Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS35 1 1 5 28 98.639 1.52
Koha -- Independent30 1 3 7 7 12 97.878 1.64
Koha14 1 1 1 4 2 5 97.438 1.87
Koha -- ByWater Solutions34 1 1 1 3 6 16 6 87.418 1.54
Alma314 3 3 12 24 41 125 75 31 76.957 0.40
WorldShare Management Services118 2 6 2 10 23 40 22 13 76.707 0.46
Symphony111 1 3 5 7 13 18 38 19 7 76.317 0.47
Sierra185 1 3 7 15 16 25 31 43 36 8 75.946 0.59
ALEPH 50044 1 2 5 2 9 7 11 6 1 75.666 0.75
Horizon19 2 2 3 2 4 3 3 65.636 1.38
Voyager38 1 2 7 3 5 9 6 4 1 65.266 0.97
Millennium23 2 3 2 2 1 6 5 2 64.876 1.25
All Responses1130 5 10 27 59 59 100 183 326 231 130 76.537 0.15

All Academic Libraries: Effectiveness in managing print resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's print resources? (Library Type: Academic) (2019)

Print Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS35 1 4 30 98.749 1.35
Koha14 1 1 5 7 98.299 2.14
Koha -- Independent29 7 12 10 88.108 1.49
Koha -- ByWater Solutions34 1 1 2 4 12 14 97.858 1.54
ALEPH 50045 7 4 10 11 13 97.428 0.75
Sierra184 1 1 2 2 6 9 19 51 59 34 87.228 0.66
WorldShare Management Services120 4 4 9 14 32 34 23 87.177 0.64
Horizon19 3 4 3 5 4 87.167 1.15
Voyager38 2 2 7 10 15 2 87.057 1.46
Alma313 1 3 1 15 25 46 96 86 40 77.007 0.28
Symphony111 3 3 6 12 12 27 39 9 86.787 0.57
Millennium24 1 1 1 2 4 6 6 3 76.547 1.43
All Responses1129 4 2 13 12 41 74 130 285 343 225 87.218 0.18

All Academic Libraries: Effectiveness in managing electronic resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's electronic resources? (Library Type: Academic) (2019)

Electronic Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS27 1 1 5 16 4 87.788 1.35
WorldShare Management Services120 4 2 16 25 29 31 13 86.827 0.27
Alma311 1 5 7 12 41 50 97 77 21 76.657 0.40
Koha -- Independent29 2 1 3 4 10 5 4 76.527 1.67
Koha -- ByWater Solutions33 1 1 2 2 6 3 6 6 6 56.307 1.57
Koha13 2 2 3 2 4 96.156 1.39
Symphony109 8 5 10 3 10 18 23 21 7 4 64.966 0.67
Sierra183 6 17 20 18 19 27 29 29 13 5 64.635 0.37
Horizon18 3 2 4 1 2 1 1 2 2 34.174 1.18
ALEPH 50045 5 5 8 6 3 6 6 2 3 1 23.643 0.30
Voyager37 2 4 7 9 2 7 2 1 2 1 33.573 1.15
Millennium24 3 3 3 4 3 2 4 2 33.383 0.20
All Responses1110 41 53 64 70 72 145 172 237 180 76 75.606 0.09

All Academic Libraries: Satisfaction with ILS support (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is this library with this company's customer support services? (Library Type: Academic) (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Support Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS35 1 1 1 4 28 98.379 0.51
Koha -- ByWater Solutions35 1 3 4 8 19 98.069 1.52
Koha13 1 2 1 1 8 97.629 2.50
WorldShare Management Services120 1 1 2 5 3 5 14 23 37 29 87.168 0.27
Koha -- Independent26 2 3 2 2 8 9 97.048 1.18
Horizon19 1 3 2 2 3 8 97.008 0.92
Symphony110 1 2 3 1 3 15 11 19 33 22 86.908 0.48
Voyager38 1 4 6 6 6 12 3 86.587 1.14
ALEPH 50041 1 1 2 2 5 9 10 9 2 76.227 0.47
Alma313 3 6 11 13 24 53 77 77 31 18 65.886 0.23
Sierra183 8 5 14 18 18 29 30 36 20 5 75.145 0.37
Millennium24 3 2 3 2 2 1 2 5 1 3 74.545 1.43
All Responses1118 21 21 40 51 77 130 176 207 196 199 76.337 0.15

All Academic Libraries: Company Loyalty (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How likely is it that this library will purchase its next ILS from this company? (Library Type: Academic) (2019)

Loyalty to Company Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS34 1 2 4 27 98.509 0.86
Koha -- ByWater Solutions31 2 1 2 3 5 18 97.589 1.26
Koha12 1 2 1 2 6 96.929 2.60
WorldShare Management Services117 4 2 3 2 5 10 11 19 31 30 86.858 0.09
Voyager38 2 1 4 3 4 5 8 11 96.848 1.46
Alma310 6 5 5 5 16 41 34 81 66 51 76.647 0.34
ALEPH 50045 2 2 2 1 7 5 6 12 8 86.337 0.30
Horizon19 1 2 2 1 3 3 2 5 96.217 0.23
Koha -- Independent22 3 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 5 95.687 1.07
Symphony110 9 6 5 5 8 12 11 21 21 12 75.566 0.67
Sierra184 22 8 12 11 23 23 19 30 24 12 74.875 0.37
Millennium24 6 2 3 2 1 1 2 2 1 4 03.883 1.22
All Responses1108 72 32 50 31 78 120 104 196 212 213 96.097 0.21

School Libraries

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School Libraries: Overall ILS Satisfaction (2019)

Statistics related to the question: How satisfied is the library with your current Integrated Library System (ILS)? (Library Type: School) (2019)

Satisfaction Score for ILS Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS152 1 1 3 8 139 98.869 0.49
Destiny80 1 1 3 1 20 30 24 87.808 0.56
Symphony12 1 1 2 2 6 97.509 2.31
All Responses290 2 4 3 6 8 37 49 181 98.219 0.35

School Libraries: General ILS Functionality (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How complete is the functionality of this ILS relative to the needs of this library? (Library Type: School) (2019)

ILS Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS152 1 1 5 14 131 98.799 0.49
Destiny80 1 4 3 22 28 22 87.698 0.56
Symphony12 1 2 1 1 7 97.509 2.31
All Responses290 2 1 1 1 3 8 10 39 55 170 98.149 0.47

School Libraries: Effectiveness for print resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's print resources? (Library Type: School) (2019)

Print Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS153 1 1 1 8 142 98.889 0.49
Destiny80 1 2 1 10 34 32 88.138 0.56
Symphony12 1 2 2 7 97.839 2.31
All Responses289 1 1 1 2 3 6 19 60 196 98.449 0.41

School Libraries: Effectiveness for electronic resources (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How effective is this product in managing your library's electronic resources? (Library Type: School) (2019)

Electronic Functionality Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS133 1 1 3 16 49 63 98.228 0.52
Destiny77 1 2 1 2 2 11 6 20 18 14 76.747 0.34
Symphony12 2 1 1 3 3 2 76.087 1.15
All Responses266 6 2 1 3 7 19 17 43 85 83 87.398 0.37

School Libraries: Company Loyalty (2019)

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Statistics related to the question: How likely is it that this library will purchase its next ILS from this company? (Library Type: School) (2019)

Loyalty to Company Score Response Distribution Statistics
CompanyResponses 0123456789ModeMeanMedianStd Dev
OPALS150 1 2 2 28 117 98.679 0.65
Destiny78 1 1 4 4 8 7 25 28 97.518 0.57
Symphony12 1 1 3 3 4 97.258 2.31
All Responses285 4 2 1 6 8 13 19 65 167 98.089 0.36


An interactive version of the statistical reports, is available which includes the ability to view the responses for each of the ILS products, along with the redacted comments.


ILS Turnover Reports

Another set of reports provide information on the ILS products that were selected during 2019 by libraries registered in libraries.org. [Note: these numbers are not comprehensive.]

The ILS Turn-over report counts and lists the automation systems recorded as selected or installed in 2019 with a breakdown of the previous systems displaced.

The Reverse ILS Turn-over report. counts and lists the automation systems recorded as replaced in 2019 with a breakdown of the new systems that were selected


Details about The Survey

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The survey instrument included five numerical ratings, three yes/no responses, and two short response fields, and a text field for general comments. The numeric rating fields allow responses from 0 through 9. Each scale was labeled to indicate the meaning of the numeric selection.

Four of the numeric questions probe at the level of satisfaction with and loyalty to the company or organization that provides its current automation system:

  • How satisfied is the library with your current Integrated Library System?
  • How complete is the functionality of this ILS relative to the needs of this library?
  • How satisfied is the library overall with the company from which you purchased your current ILS?
  • Has the customer support for this ILS gotten better or gotten worse in the last year?
  • How satisfied is this library with this company’s customer support services?
  • How likely is it that this library will purchase its next ILS from this company?

A yes/no question asks whether the library is considering migrating to a new ILS and a fill-in text field provides the opportunity to provide specific systems under consideration. Another yes/no question asks whether the automation system currently in use was installed on schedule.

view automation survey

Given the recent interest in new search interfaces, a yes/no question asks “Is the library currently considering a search interface for its collection that is separate from the ILS?” and a fill-in form to indicate products under consideration.

The survey includes two questions that aim to gauge interest in open source ILS, a numerical rating that asks “How likely is it that this library would consider implementing and open source ILS?” and a fill-in text field for indicating products under consideration.

The survey concludes with a text box inviting comments.

View the survey. (This version of the survey does not accept or record response data.)

In order to correlate the responses with particular automation systems and companies, the survey links to entries in the libraries.org directory of libraries. Each entry in libraries.org indicates the automation system currently in use as well as data on the type of library, location, collection size, and other factors that might be of potential interest. In order to fill out the survey, the responder had first to find their library in libraries.org and then press a button that launched the response form. Some potential respondents indicated that found this process complex.

The link between the libraries.org entry and the survey automatically populated fields for the library name and current automation system and provided access to other data elements about the library as needed. The report on survey response demographics, for example, relies on data from libraries.org.

A number of methods were used to solicit responses to the survey. E-mail messages were sent to library-oriented mailing lists such as WEB4LIB and PUBLIB. Invitational messages were also sent to many lists for specific automation systems and companies. Where contact information was available in libraries.org, and automated script produced e-mail messages with a direct link to the survey response form for that library.

The survey attempted to limit responses to one per library. This restriction was imposed to attempt to sway the respondents to reflect the broad perceptions of their institution rather than their personal opinions.

The survey instrument was created using the same infrastructure as the Library Technology Guides web site—a custom interface written in perl using MySQL to store the data, with ODBC as the connection layer. Access to the raw responses is controlled through a user name and password available only to the author. Scripts were written to provide public access to the survey in a way that does not expose individual responses.

In order to provide access to the comments without violating the stated agreement not to attribute individual responses to any given institution or individual, an addition field was created for “edited comments.” This field was manually populated with text selected from the “comments” text provided by the respondent. Any information that might identify the individual or library was edited out, with an ellipse indicating the removed text. Comments that only explained a response or described the circumstances of the library were not transferred to the Edited Comments field.

Statistics

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To analyze the results, a few scripts were written to summarize, analyze, and present the responses.

In order to avoid making generalizations based on inadequate sample sizes, the processing scripts included a threshold variable that would only present results when the number of responses exceeded the specified value. The threshold was set to a value of 20.

For each of the survey questions that involve a numeric rating, a set of subroutines was created to calculate and display simple statistics.

  • Responses indicates the number of survey responses that made a selection for this question.
  • A Response Distribution array lists the number of responses for each possible value from 0-9.
  • The Mode indicates the numeric response that received the most selections.
  • The Mean is the average response, calculated by adding together all the responses and dividing by the Responses value, rounding to two significant decimal places.
  • The Median is the middle response, calculated by placing each of the responses in a sorted array and selecting the middle value.
  • The Standard Deviation was calculated by subtracting each response value from the mean, squaring the difference, summing the squares and dividing by the number of responses to determine the variance. The standard deviation is the square root of the variance.

The "survey-report-by-category.pl" script processes each of the numerical ratings, displaying each of the statistical components listed above for each product that received responses above the threshold value. This report provides a convenient way to compare the performance of each ILS product for the selected question. The report sorts the statistics for each product in descending order of the mean. The report categories available correspond to the survey questions with numerical scale responses.

The “survey-product-report.pl” script provides the results for each of the ILS products mentioned in the responses. This report also provides the statistical components for each of the numeric question. It also provides the percentage of yes responses to the two yes/no questions:

  • Is this library currently considering migrating to a new ILS?
  • Is this library currently considering acquiring a search interface for its collection that is separate from the ILS? The report then lists the “EditedComments” text.

[The text of this section mostly replicates what appeared in the 2007 version of this article. For for both editions of the survey I followed the same methodology for collection and and statistical analysis.]


Caveat

As noted with previous editions of the survey, libraries evaluating products should not read too much into the survey results. Individuals responding to the survey provide their subjective impressions to fairly general questions. Although the survey instructions encourage responders to consider the broader institutional perceptions, it’s usually the case that multiple opinions prevail within any given library. Although the survey attempts to provide useful information about the experiences of libraries with their current integrated library systems and the organizations that provide support, it should not be used as a definitive assessment tool.