FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Norcross, GA –February 5, 2009

The North Texas Regional Library System (NTRLS) has selected Evergreen, the open source, consortial-quality library software, as their next-generation library automation system. The system has also signed a contract with Equinox Software Inc. for comprehensive library data migration services, software configuration, consultation, and ongoing Evergreen technical support.
NTRLS will begin migrating to Evergreen with a pilot group of 13 libraries that are also the flagship members of the newly-formed North Texas Library Consortium. The pilot libraries are scheduled to go live during the summer of 2009. After successful completion of the pilot program, other libraries will migrate into the consortium.
According to Adam Wright, Executive Director of the NTRLS, “The 13 library directors looked at each vendor closely and decided on Evergreen because of its affordability and its inherent consortium functionality. Many vendors offer very good strong products, but Evergreen was built for a consortium, which makes it a stronger fit for what we are attempting to accomplish. The library directors were also very attracted to its open source concept and the flexibility it give them when it comes to adding additional functionality.”

Brad LaJeunesse, Equinox President, said, “NTRLS is another welcome addition to the growing Evergreen community. They will soon appreciate the freedom that comes from open source software—no more hidden code, no more hidden development schedules. Plus Evergreen can grow along with NTRLS—it’s the industrial-strength ILS.”
About the North Texas Regional Library System

NTRLS is one of the 10 regional library systems which, along with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission make up the Texas State Library System. The regional systems exist to promote and assist the development of strong community libraries. NTRLS is responsible for setting policies and procedures for the services it provides to member libraries, but each member library remains autonomous. Current members of NTRLS include over 70 public library entities in the 20-county region.

About Evergreen
Evergreen is consortial-quality, open-source library software initially developed to support Georgia PINES, a resource-sharing consortium with over 270 public libraries. Evergreen was designed from the ground up to be robust, fault-tolerant, service-oriented, and standards-based. Evergreen nimbly evolves to meet the needs of very large, high-transaction, multi-site consortia, while elegantly scaling down to the smallest library sites.
The growing, multinational Evergreen development community has shepherded Evergreen through a series of carefully-planned releases that have further strengthened Evergreen’s consortial capabilities while adding popular and useful functionality. Evergreen 2.0, due out in 2009, will add acquisitions, serials, and reserves to Evergreen’s outstanding functionality.
From its debut in September 2006, Evergreen has earned acclaim and praise from users worldwide, including a Technology Collaboration Award from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Additional Evergreen implementations include consortial projects such as Michigan Evergreen, Evergreen Indiana, and British Columbia SITKA, and libraries such as Kent County Public Library in Maryland, Marshall Public Library in Missouri, the National Weather Center Library, and the University of Prince Edward Island. King County Library System, a public library system in Washington State, has also contracted with Equinox Software for Evergreen development. For more information about Evergreen, visit http://evergreen-ils.org

About Equinox Software, Inc.
Founded by the original Evergreen designers and developers, Equinox Software is a growing team of skilled developers and other professionals who provide comprehensive support for Evergreen, the consortial-quality, open source Integrated Library System (ILS). Equinox develops, supports, trains, migrates, integrates, and consults on Evergreen, and engages with the rapidly expanding Evergreen community. Instead of one-size-fits-all support, Equinox works closely with libraries to ensure Evergreen is implemented in the manner that best fits their individual needs.
In addition to support, custom development and integration services, Equinox offers complete Evergreen hosting packages for libraries wishing to outsource their ILS infrastructure. Equinox also provides consulting services for libraries seeking more insight into the value proposition of open source software.
Press contact: Corinne Hall, corinne@esilibrary.com, 678-269-6113
For more information on Equinox Software, please visit http://www.esilibrary.com.

Evergreen is open source software, freely licensed under the GNU GPL. Evergreen and the Evergreen logo are trademarks of the Georgia Public Library Service.

Norcross, Ga. – The Integrated Technology Group (ITG), a division of Vernon Library Supplies, Inc., gained 19 new clients, acquired a patent by the U.S. Patent Office and added a new account manager in the fourth quarter of 2008. In addition, the ITG Scan & Print System was used by Equinox Software, Inc. to assist Indiana libraries in the migration to Evergreen, an enterprise-class, open source, integrated library system (ILS). The ITG Scan & Print System can re-label bar codes on items at a rate of more than 250 books per hour.

Patent for AV Xpress™
The U.S. Patent Office granted a patent for ITG’s self-service security case unlocking system, AV Xpress. The system supports Kwik Cases®, OneTime Cases™, and SecureCaseOne Cases™. AV Xpress works in tandem with Apex XpressCheck™ bar code, EM, and RFID-based self-checkout systems, as well as a free-standing release station that works with ITG’s Apex RFID and most other RFID vendors’ systems.

New Account Manager
Candice Gwin Oliver has joined ITG as the Central States Account Manager. Prior to joining ITG, Oliver served as the regional branch administrator for South & West Region for St. Louis County Library in St. Louis, Missouri. Oliver has also served as director of Library Services at Kirkwood Public Library. In addition, she worked as a software trainer for Sirsi Corporation (now SirsiDynix). In 2008, Oliver was selected by Library Journal as an “LJ Mover & Shaker” for her contributions to Kirkwood Public Library’s “Proposition L” campaign, which resulted in a tax levy that will provide for a full renovation of the existing property.

New Customer Libraries/Installations
San Bernardino County Library/Chino Hills, CA (Self-checkout, RFID and AMH)
Miami-Dade Public Library System, FL (Security)
Milton Public Library, MA (AMH)
Baltimore Co. Public Library/Perry Hall, MD (Self-checkout, RFID)
City of High Point Public Library, NC (Security)
Oshkosh Public Library, WI (Self-checkout)

Implemented in conjunction with SirsiDynix
Poplar Creek Public Library, IL (RFID, AMH, Self-checkout)
Jessamine Public Library, KY (RFID, Self-checkout)
Kenton Public Library, KY (Self-checkout)
Arrowhead Library System, MN (Self-checkout)
Cloquet Public Library, MN (Self-checkout, Security)
Nyack Public Library, NY (RFID, Self-checkout)
Central Rappahannock Public Library, VA (Self-checkout)
Albany Public Library, WA (RFID, Self-checkout, and AMH)
Spokane Public Library, WA (Self-checkout)
Sun Prairie Public Library, WI (RFID, Self-checkout)

Implemented in conjunction with Equinox Software Inc.
Indiana State Library, IN (Scan and Print)

Implemented in conjunction with Polaris Library Systems
Crandall Public Library, NY (RFID, Self-checkout and AMH)
Yakima Public Library, WA (Self-checkout)

About Integrated Technology Group
Integrated Technology Group (www.integratedtek.com) develops, markets, and supports library automation technologies that empower librarians to make operations more efficient and better serve their patrons. ITG’s products include patron self-checkout, automated materials handling systems (AMH) and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. With over 30 years experience in the library industry, ITG combines smart technology and progressive design to create standard solutions that can be easily customized to meet site-specific requirements. ITG, a division of Vernon Library Supplies, Inc., is headquartered in Norcross, Georgia.

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