27 April 2011 -- Three vendors have been selected to work with Kōtui to develop a shared library system operated by the National Library of New Zealand for subscribing public libraries. The vendors are SirsiDynix, EBSCO Publishing, and Computer Concepts Ltd.

Acting National Librarian, Sue Sutherland, says Kōtui will manage the member libraries' physical resources and offer a new Discovery system which will allow customers to easily search for e-books or digital subscription information held by libraries as well as conventional books, magazines and DVDs.

"Through Kōtui, library customers will be able to easily discover and access resources from home or from school or work as well as from inside a library."

Ms Sutherland says Kōtui will give member libraries access to centralised expertise and a help desk offered through an augmented Aotearoa People's Network Kaharoa (APNK) service.

"The shared service will provide a substantially improved service to all member libraries and councils at costs which could not be achieved by councils acting individually to implement levels of service offered by Kōtui."

The vendor selection followed a rigorous evaluation process which assessed vendor offerings in terms of both functionality and price. Potential member libraries were heavily involved in the development of the specifications for Kōtui and were also involved in selecting the vendors.

Ms Sutherland says that subscriptions from member libraries will fully fund the service with preparatory work for implementation to begin soon after Easter. Kōtui member libraries and councils currently include:

• Marlborough, Nelson, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Tasman, Taupo, Waimakariri, Wanganui joining in Year 1
• Buller, Hurunui, Thames Coromandel, Upper Hutt, Waitaki joining in Year 2
• Hastings and Kawerau joining in Year 3.

A number of other councils are currently discussing joining Kōtui.

The three suppliers each have responsibility for different components of the service with SirsiDynix providing the core systems to manage the physical items held by libraries; EBSCO Publishing providing EBSCO Discovery Service, the service that allows combined discovery of both physical and electronic items held by the library, and Computer Concepts Ltd providing centralised hosting services from their Christchurch-based data centre.