Announcing ‡biblios.net, the world's largest database of
freely-licensed library records

COLUMBUS, OH--January 23, 2009--LibLime, the leader in open solutions
for libraries, announced today the launch of ‡biblios.net--a free
browser-based cataloging service with a data store containing over
thirty-million records. Records are licensed under the Open Data
Commons, making the service the world's largest repository of
freely-licensed library records.

‡biblios.net (pronounced 'biblios dot net') features an intuitive
metadata editor complete with templates, macros, authority
auto-completion and embedded context-sensitive help. The central
record repository contains 25-million bibliographic records and just
under eight-million authority records. The data is maintained by
‡biblios.net users similar to the model used by Wikipedia.
Catalogers can use and contribute to the database without restrictions
because records in ‡biblios.net are freely-licensed under the
Open Data Commons Public Domain Dedication and License
(https://biblios.net/open-data-commons-license).

‡biblios.net also includes a built-in federated search system allowing
catalogers to find records from any Z39.50 target. A central Search
Target Registry, seeded with over 2,000 Z39.50 servers, makes it easy
for catalogers to find, create and share Z39.50 targets.

In addition to offering a cutting-edge cataloging interface,
‡biblios.net offers a unique social cataloging environment. Built-in
forums and private messaging make finding help and communicating with
other users a cinch. Real-time chat is slated for an upcoming release.

"The philosophy behind an Open Data movement scarcely needs an
explanation to a library audience," explains LibLime CEO, Joshua
Ferraro. "The mission of libraries--to provide open, free access to
ideas and information--surely applies to the metadata created BY
librarians," Ferraro says.

"To date, libraries haven't had a freely-licensed repository of
library records to date and that makes ‡biblios.net an especially
exciting development, one that I'm proud to have been a part of," says
Ferraro. "It's our hope that ‡biblios.net, as well as other open data
movements, will usher in a new era of library openness, where
libraries can collaboratively create and share metadata with the whole
community," Ferraro says.

You can sign up for a free ‡biblios.net account by visiting http://biblios.net.

About ‡biblios.net

‡biblios.net is a free browser-based cataloging service. In addition
to a metadata editor, ‡biblios.net includes community features such as
integrated chat, forums, and private messaging. ‡biblios.net also
provides access to the world's largest database of freely-licensed
library records, over 30-million and growing.

Free access to the entire database is available via Z39.50, OAI, and
direct download. Furthermore, the database is maintained by
‡biblios.net users similar to the way that Wikipedia's database is
maintained by users.

About ‡biblios

‡biblios (http://biblios.org) was originally conceived and created as
an open-source, web-based metadata tool for libraries during the 2007
Google Summer of Code program. Google Summer of Code is an annual
program in which Google awards stipends to students who successfully
complete a requested free software / open-source coding project during
the summer.

‡biblios was first debuted at the 2008 Code4lib conference, where lead
developer Chris Catalfo gave a sneak preview presentation on the
technology and architecture of ‡biblios. ‡biblios is now developed and
maintained at LibLime and we're looking forward to helping grow an
active community around the project.

About LibLime

LibLime is the global leader in open solutions for libraries. Rather
than sell software licenses for static, hard-to-customize software
products, LibLime educates libraries about the benefits of open
source, enabling them to make choices about how best to provide their
communities and staff with better technology services. LibLime then
facilitates implementation of open-source in libraries by providing
outstanding development, customization, support and training
solutions--solutions tailored to each library's needs. For more
information, see http://liblime.com.

Press Contact:

Tina Burger
Vice President, Marketing LibLime
(888)Koha ILS (564-2457)
tnb@liblime.com

LibLime, ‡biblios and ‡biblios.net are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of LibLime. Other company and product names may be
trademarks of their respective owners.