COLUMBUS, OH --Sept. 2, 2009-- LibLime, the leader in open-source solutions for libraries and ASCC (Automation System Colorado Consortium in Colorado), announced today that the consortium has selected a Koha ZOOM hosted solution for their next integrated library system and union catalog.

The Koha installation will be hosted at one of LibLime's secure data centers. The Library has also contracted with LibLime for full migration of their ILS data, as well as support and training services.

ASCC is a nonprofit, member-owned consortium of over 40 multi-type libraries, including 24 public libraries (out of 115 in the state), 15 schools, 3 academic institutions and 1 special library.

ASCC’s new Koha union catalog will contain over 800,000 bibliographic records from libraries with collections that range in size from 2,730 to 117,000 bibliographic records.

"We believe our union catalog consortium will enhance connections between Colorado’s libraries and improve services to 292,684 residents in our members' service area, " said Valerie Horton, Executive Director of ASCC. ASCC plans to have 9 pilot libraries up in November of 2009, and the remaining libraries will migrate in 2010 and into 2011.

ASCC selected Koha not only due to a desire for an open-source solution, but also because member libraries wanted a flexible, member-driven system instead of one controlled by commercial vendors.

"Rather than force its member libraries to align their needs with a specific vendor’s software, ASCC needs a software solution that matches existing technological requirements and supports members’ patron needs," explained Dan Lawrence, Chair of the ASCC Board. "The Koha open-source solution offers the opportunity for the development of the ILS to be driven by our member libraries."

ASCC has been given a unique opportunity to serve as a model project to other libraries and consortia in the state of Colorado. Technology has made great strides in the industry and librarians have been in the forefront of this industry. "The move to Koha represents a new opportunity to bring quality patron services," Valerie added. "By working in communities, member libraries can achieve more patron services with less funding."

"After working in the library industry for more than 15 years, I am most satisfied when I can assist libraries in making a technology decision," said Marc Roberson, VP Library Partners for LibLime. "The ASCC is a perfect example of how a technology choice will now enable a group of libraries to share a system and allow them to better steer their own destiny-- a choice that will serve them well into the future."

About ASCC

ASCC is a nonprofit, member-owned consortium in Colorado of over 40 multi-type libraries, including 24 public libraries (out of 115 in the state), 15 schools, 3 academic institutions and 1 special library.

About Koha ZOOM

Koha ZOOM is the next-generation release of the award-winning Koha open-source integrated library system. Notably, it includes a powerful search engine based on Zebra, a high-performance indexing and retrieval engine. Koha ZOOM's search engine can read structured records in practically any input format (e.g., email, XML, MARC) and allows access to them through exact boolean search expressions and relevance-ranked free-text queries. It supports large databases (more than ten gigabytes of data, tens of millions of records) as well as incremental, safe database updates on live systems.

To try out Koha ZOOM for yourself, visit LibLime's demos:

http://liblime.com/demos

About LibLime

LibLime is the global leader in open-source solutions for libraries, with a mission to make open source accessible to 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) ext. 705

tnb@liblime.com

LibLime and the LibLime logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of LibLime. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Ask-WA is pleased to announce the launch of Washington State's first online virtual reference portal. Connecting more than 60 libraries across the state, and backed by a worldwide cooperative, Ask-WA provides 24/7 reference service to the library users of Washington State.

Ask-WA is an essential resource for students looking for citations at three in the morning, for Washington residents doing personal research, for genealogists. Washington librarians are available to help you get started on that tough research project, investigate your family roots, or even just settle a bet.

Don't wait, ask us a question now at http://ask.wa.gov!

DALLAS, Texas, September 2 – Amigos Library Services, Inc. will present an online conference “Going Green @ Your Library –Lean, Green, Clean Ideas” on October 7. The online conference will address a variety of “green” issues from LEED certification to practical, low cost/no cost suggestions for library and IT operations.

“This is the first of many online conferences to come from Amigos. Online conferences are green, so this is a perfect kickoff,” says Laura Kimberly, Amigos Continuing Education Services Manager. “This conference will be a great opportunity not only for Amigos members, but librarians far and wide to interact with each other and experts on this important trend.”

Keynote speaker, Florence Mason, will kick off the conference with her talk “Going Green” Successfully. She brings her many years of expertise with libraries, government organizations, and corporations on library building issues, library long range planning, library training, and other issues related to the management of library and information services.

Mason says, “Public library buildings have long represented civic pride and civic ideals in the same manner that academic libraries have been the academic “heart” of many campuses. She adds, “Now at a time when energy conservation and sustainability have become desired social imperatives, librarians are exercising leadership to transform library buildings as important models of green and sustainable practices in communities and on campuses nationwide.”

For more information and to sign up for the conference, visit http://greenlibs.amigos.org/

About Amigos Library Services, Inc.
A not-for-profit, membership-based organization, Amigos Library Services (www.amigos.org) is one of the largest library service networks in the nation, consisting of over 750 libraries and cultural heritage institutions, located primarily in the southwestern United States. Amigos members utilize a comprehensive array of services including cataloging and resource sharing, electronic information resources, preservation and digital imaging, consulting, and training.

For the past few months, staff at the Washington State Library have been working hard, exhaustively scouring the web and compiling quality resources to help library users across Washington State. The result? A thorough guide detailed resources and techniques to help you and your users navigate this tough economy. We've covered numerous subjects, including health and nutrition, family and parenting, finances, job-seeking, and a whole lot more.

Check it out now at http://www.secstate.wa.gov/library/hardtimes/