6/21/2012
CONTACT:
Nathan Curulla
(888) 900-8944
sales@bywatersolutions.com

Bethlehem Public Library Goes Live on Koha with ByWater Solutions

ByWater Solutions, an open source community supporter and the U.S.’ forefront provider of Koha (www.koha-community.org) support, announced today that Bethlehem Public Library in Bethlehem, Connecticut is now live on their installation of the Koha integrated library system.

ByWater Solutions completed their migration in early June and will be providing ongoing support and hosting services for them.

Bethlehem Public Library has a collection of 22,000 books, 700 movies, and several hundred music CDs, audio books and magazines. The Bethlehem Public Library customized online catalog can be viewed here: http://catalog.bethlehem.bywatersolutions.com/

Anne Small, Library Director spoke about Bethlehem’s migration and go live experience:

“For a small library to transfer from an out-dated paper system to an ILS seemed daunting until Nate demonstrated that ByWater Solutions could assist us every step of the way. As soon as our MARC records were in place, Ed’s training opened up possibilities we had only envisioned. The trustees, staff, Friends of the Library and patrons are all delighted that ByWater Solutions provides an affordable way to bring our library into the 21st century. The lack of trained IT specialists on staff has not hindered our progress, and we are grateful for the 24/7 support to answer our questions.”

Nathan Curulla, Co-Owner of ByWater commented on the new partnership:

“Having grown up in the town next to Bethlehem it is a real thrill to have the opportunity to partner with Anne and the staff of the Public Library. The willingness to learn and excitement that Anne, Diane, and Yvonne have shown throughout the process of automating their system reminds me why I love what I do so much. The patrons of the library showed the same amount of enthusiasm as the staff on their go-live day,  and I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to be there in person for the unveiling of Koha. We look forward to a long and productive relationship with the Bethlehem Public Library, its Staff and its Patrons!”

About Bethlehem Public Library:
The Bethlehem Public Library, established in 1900, is located at 32 Main Street South, in the heart of town. The present home, a classic brick structure, was dedicated in June 1969. More than 18,000 items are loaned annually from the collection of 22,000 books, 700 movies, and several hundred music CDs, plus audio books and magazines. Borrowers have access to interlibrary loans, computers and wireless internet, fax and copier service, discounted museum passes and a number of library programs designed to interest different ages. For more information about Bethlehem Public Library please visit: http://www.bethlehemlibraryct.org

About Koha:
Koha is the first open-source Integrated Library System (ILS). In use worldwide, its development is steered by a growing community of libraries collaborating to achieve their technology goals. Koha’s impressive feature set continues to evolve and expand to meet the needs of its user base. It includes modules for circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, serials, reserves, patron management, branch relationships, and more.

Koha’s OPAC, circulation, management and self-checkout interfaces are all based on standards-compliant World Wide Web technologies–XHTML, CSS and Javascript–making Koha a truly platform-independent solution. Koha is distributed under the open-source General Public License (GPL). For more information about Koha, please visit: http://koha-community.org/

About ByWater Solutions:
ByWater Solutions is a full service, high quality support and implementation company dedicated to providing libraries with a lower cost, more advanced level of support for their ILS than a traditional proprietary solution can offer. ByWater Solutions has a proven track record in first rate Koha implementation and support with library systems of all sizes. Our highly ranked, comprehensive support is what sets our company apart from any other vendor in the industry. Partnering with ByWater Solutions to support Koha not only lowers the cost of implementing and maintaining an ILS, but more importantly empowers libraries by giving them the flexibility and freedom they deserve. For more information please visit: http://bywatersolutions.com/

Launch of National Geographic Virtual Library Product Suite Announced

Farmington Hills, Mich., June 20, 2012 — Gale, part of Cengage Learning and a leading publisher of research and reference resources for libraries, schools and businesses, and the National Geographic Society, one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, today announced an extended agreement to create additional library products as part of a new product suite, National Geographic Virtual Library.

Earlier this year, Gale announced the National Geographic Magazine Archive, 1888-1994, for libraries, which included all issues of the magazine for its first 107 years, fully searchable through an intuitive interface. The partnership has now been extended to provide all National Geographic magazine issues from 1995 onwards, as well as access to a new virtual reference collection of National Geographic books, maps, videos, images and National Geographic Traveler magazine (2010-current).

Some of the notable National Geographic resources made available as part of the agreement include titles such as Polar Obsession, by Paul Nicklen, and Sizing Up the Universe: The Cosmos in Perspective, by J. Richard Gott; videos exploring topics such as alternative energy and the lifestyle of beluga whales; and destination guides and expedition maps.

This is the first time all these resources have been offered to libraries together in digital and searchable form. The extension of the virtual library provides the high quality that librarians expect from the National Geographic brand. These new resources will be created on the same platform as the National Geographic Magazine Archive, 1888-1994, and will work seamlessly together.

“Though some of these materials may exist in libraries in some form, by making them all available digitally and making them fully searchable, we are enabling researchers and students to make connections previously not possible with the hard-copy materials,” said Frank Menchaca, executive vice president, Gale. “We are bringing the National Geographic Society to libraries, and we look forward to growing our relationship with this important organization and showcasing these amazing resources to a worldwide audience.”

The online magazine archive and collection will have benefits for library users at all levels, introducing students to primary-source materials that are relevant and engaging, and giving teachers and professors exciting resources that can be incorporated into syllabi and reading lists. They will support learning and research in a wide range of subject areas, such as:
• Peoples and Cultures
• Environment
• Geography
• Science and Technology
• Animals
• Photography and Journalism

“National Geographic is excited to offer this extensive selection of our books, magazines, videos and images for the first time in one database to libraries exclusively. The Gale platform will provide new avenues for discovering National Geographic-published content for research and learning,” said Declan Moore, president of National Geographic Publishing and Digital Media.

These new resources will be available to customers starting in fall 2012.

Learn more about these and other Gale products at the American Library Association annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif., June 22-25. On the exhibit floor, the Gale booth (#1400) will feature interactive touch screens to enable visitors to explore National Geographic treasures, and National Geographic author-photographer Paul Nicklen will be on site for a book signing on Sunday, June 24.

For more information on the National Geographic Virtual Library, or to request a trial of any of the products, please visit http://gdc.gale.com/ or contact Kristina Massari at kristina.massari@cengage.com.

About Cengage Learning and Gale
Cengage Learning is a leading provider of innovative teaching, learning and research solutions for the academic, professional and library markets worldwide. Gale, part of Cengage Learning, serves the world's information and education needs through its vast and dynamic content pools, which are used by students and consumers in their libraries, schools and on the Internet. It is best known for the accuracy, breadth and convenience of its data, addressing all types of information needs – from homework help to health questions to business profiles – in a variety of formats. For more information, visit www.cengage.com or www.gale.cengage.com.

About the National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society’s mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. National Geographic reflects the world through its magazines, television programs, films, music and radio, books, DVDs, maps, exhibitions, live events, school publishing programs, interactive media and merchandise. National Geographic magazine, the Society’s official journal, published in English and 33 local-language editions, is read by more than 60 million people each month. The National Geographic Channel reaches more than 435 million households in 37 languages in 173 countries. National Geographic Digital Media receives more than 19 million visitors a month. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geography literacy. www.nationalgeographic.com.

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Announces Launch of ed2go for Public Libraries

Farmington Hills, Mich., June 19, 2012 — Gale, part of Cengage Learning and a leading publisher of research and reference resources for libraries, schools and businesses, today announced a new program, ed2go for public libraries, that brings turnkey online training and education solutions to the public library market. ed2go, also part of Cengage Learning, provides online training courses for the adult education, career, and corporate training markets through partnerships with colleges, universities, community-based organizations and now through public libraries.

“The mission of many public libraries is to inspire lifelong learning among patrons,” said Gerry Sawchuk, publisher, public library solutions for Gale. “With ed2go courses designed specifically for this diverse audience, we are equipping public libraries with the tools to do just that.”

The ed2go for public libraries program, developed as a result of Cengage Learning’s unique position within the library, classroom and adult learning markets, will offer patrons access to hundreds of instructor-led online courses covering everything from health and wellness to digital photography, computer programming, GED test preparation and much more. ed2go courses are developed by expert instructors, many currently working at universities around the country, and use Cengage Learning’s proven pedagogy to ensure classes are engaging and informative. Each individual course is offered online for six weeks and features 12 lessons with online discussions, homework, quizzes and a final exam. Though these are not college equivalent courses, certificate programs are available for careers in the medical field, project management and computer networking.

ed2go for public libraries features a subscription model designed specifically for libraries – librarians purchase access to a catalog of ed2go courses which are then offered free to patrons, who can select specific courses to enroll in. Libraries in turn get robust product administration and usage reporting capabilities enabling the easy tracking of successful patron outcomes.

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System recently piloted the ed2go program as part of its eCampus initiative to address lifelong learning in its community and deliver workforce development resources, programs and services. The results have been highly successful.
• There have been 226 ed2go course registrations since September 2011, and in January 2012 usage soared 300% from the month prior.
• Average of 18 course registrations per month from September – December 2011, with that number jumping to 38 from January – April 2012.
• Customers keep coming back – 46 people have registered for 2 or more courses.

“Our goal was to find online resources that could serve a wide community base with varied learning needs. Through our strategic partnerships with organizations like Cengage Learning, we’ve been able to offer exciting and user-friendly digital tools, like ed2go, to our community,” said Jurée Hall, eCampus Project Coordinator, Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System. “The positive feedback and growth in enrollments shows we’re on the right track.”

For more information on ed2go for public libraries or to request a trial, please visit www.gale.cengage.com/ed2go or contact Kristina Massari at kristina.massari@cengage.com. You can also learn more about this innovative program and Atlanta-Fulton’s success at the Gale booth (#1400) on the exhibit floor of the American Library Association annual meeting in Anaheim, California June 22-25.

About Cengage Learning and Gale
Cengage Learning is a leading provider of innovative teaching, learning and research solutions for the academic, professional and library markets worldwide. Gale, part of Cengage Learning, serves the world's information and education needs through its vast and dynamic content pools, which are used by students and consumers in their libraries, schools and on the Internet. It is best known for the accuracy, breadth and convenience of its data, addressing all types of information needs – from homework help to health questions to business profiles – in a variety of formats. For more information, visit www.cengage.com or www.gale.cengage.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Duluth, GA —June 19, 2012

Evergreen version 2.2 has officially been released! The main highlight of this new release is the integration of the TPAC or Template Tool Kit OPAC which provides improved speed and flexibility of customization. End users will be happy to note that Evergreen 2.2 also contains authority control sets in cataloging, batch importing for MARC records in the Z39.50 client, and increased functionality for acquisitions. Full details on all the 2.2 release enhancements can be found at http://evergreen-ils.org/documentation/release/RELEASE_NOTES_2_2_0.html.

According to Lebbeous Fogle-Weekley, Equinox Software Developer and 2.2 release maintainer, “ This latest release had lots of help from the usual suspects and from newer contributors across the Evergreen community. Not only is this the first official, stable release to include the new Template Toolkit OPAC, but there are lots of new features in Circulation, Cataloging, and elsewhere. Along with 2.2.0, there are also new releases for the 2.1 and 2.0 series, and all of these contain security fixes.

Evergreen currently supports almost 1,200 libraries of every type-public, academic, special, and school media centers across 4 countries, 31 U.S. states, and 8 Canadian provinces. The Georgia PINES, King County Public Library System, SCLENDS, and NC Cardinal consortiums are all currently running Evergreen. For more information about Evergreen, including a list of all known Evergreen installations, see http://evergreen-ils.org.

About Equinox Software, Inc.

Founded by the original Evergreen designers and developers, Equinox Software is a leader in open source solutions for libraries. Their goal is to engage and support a rapidly growing open source community while assisting libraries in moving away from expensive proprietary vendors and products.

For more information on Equinox Software, please visit http://www.esilibrary.com.

Press contact: Corinne Hall, corinne@esilibrary.com, 770-709-5571

Just weeks after OCLC began operating a new data center in Sydney, libraries in Australia began pilot projects to implement OCLC WorldShare Management Services, the cooperative’s new cloud-based approach to managing library services that provide tools to improve library workflows, reduce costs and offer new opportunities for collaboration.

OCLC WorldShare Management Services provide a Web-based environment that streamlines cataloguing, acquisitions, license management and circulation, and offer a next-gen discovery tool for library users.

Both replacing and standing apart from traditional integrated library systems, OCLC WorldShare Management Services enable libraries to share infrastructure costs and resources, as well as collaborate in ways that free them from the restrictions of local hardware and software. WorldShare Management Services also offer the ability to manage collections of print, electronic and digital material from start-to-finish, and the integration of license management features into interlibrary loan processes set WorldShare apart from legacy systems.

Libraries participating in Australian implementation pilot projects include:

• Auburn Public Library (New South Wales)
• Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School (Victoria)
• Academic Centre, Newman College & St Mary’s College (University of Melbourne), (Victoria)
• Shire of Collie Public Library (Western Australia)
• Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview (New South Wales)
• St Michael’s Collegiate School (Tasmania)
• The Hutchins School (Tasmania)
• Trinity Theological College, Leederville (Western Australia)

“Pilot participants are helping to promote library innovation in this part of the world, and they are expanding the possibilities for collaboration for the entire OCLC cooperative,” said Chris Thewlis, OCLC Regional Manager, Australia. “We are very pleased that these libraries are taking the lead in adopting this new, innovative approach to cooperative library management services.”

OCLC staff in Melbourne are responsible for implementing and supporting WorldShare Management Services in libraries in Australia and New Zealand. Staff in Melbourne have been working closely with OCLC staff around the world to prepare them for implementation of the new services in Australian libraries. This team has extensive experience in supporting libraries in the region; the team supports 400 libraries using Amlib library management software, as well as VDX implementations, many of which are large, state-wide groups hosted by OCLC.

In March 2012, OCLC began operating a new data center in Sydney, Australia, to support OCLC WorldShare Management Services for members in Australia and New Zealand. The Sydney center is the fourth data center in OCLC’s global network. OCLC opened a data center in the United Kingdom in December 2011 and maintains two primary operations data centers in the United States.

The Sydney center employs state-of-the-art technologies to ensure high levels of performance, reliability, scalability and cost-effectiveness. Key facilities features include high-performance Internet services with multiple service providers to ensure efficient routing, fully redundant heating and cooling systems, continuous power from multiple sources, and best-of-breed security controls and practices.

In addition, the new center enables OCLC to comply with access and data privacy requirements in Australia and New Zealand, and adhere to technical standards that promote the cost-effective, worldwide sharing of information across platforms, and support scripts, languages and cultural materials. OCLC recently obtained its ISO 27001 certification which bolsters the position of trust in OCLC-hosted solutions and will assure the security of member data.

More about OCLC WorldShare Management Services can be found on the OCLC website at www.oclc.org.

The OCLC WorldShare Platform is the technical infrastructure on which OCLC’s Webscale services are built and provides data, tools and services for library developers, users and partners to create and share applications collectively. Libraries can build applications to meet local needs, while benefiting from the innovation of the broader global library community.