ByWater Solutions, an open source community contributor and America’s forefront provider of Koha support, announced today that Sacred Heart University Library, in Connecticut is now live on Koha! ByWater completed the transition of the library’s 100,000 plus holdings from Sierra ILS and is providing ongoing support services to the library. The library’s customized Koha OPAC can be viewed at: https://sacredheart.bywatersolutions.com/.

Nate Curulla, CRO at ByWater Solutions, recently commented on their migration:

We are thrilled to have another Academic Library in Connecticut join the Koha Community and ByWater Family. We look forward to partnering with Sacred Heart University Library and seeing what their Library does with Koha.

About Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University, contemporary in spirit and thinking, is rooted in the liberal arts and Catholic intellectual traditions. Their mission is to educate the whole person while preparing students to lead and serve in the world today.

Read more at: https://sacredheart.edu/aboutshu/missionandvalues/

About ByWater Solutions
ByWater Solutions is a full service, high quality Koha 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 for Koha support 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: https:bywatersolutions.com.

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, HTML5, 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/.

For more information
Jessica Zairo
Marketing & Outreach Coordinator
ByWater Solutions
bywatersolutions.com
Phone:(888)900-8944

ByWater Solutions, an open source community contributor and America’s forefront provider of Koha support, announced today that Stevenson University Library, in Maryland is now live on Koha! ByWater completed the transition of the library’s 71,000 plus holdings from Voyager ILS and is providing ongoing support services to the library. The library’s customized Koha OPAC can be viewed at: https://stevenson.bywatersolutions.com/.

The staff at Stevenson University Library recently commented on their training and migration:

Koha accomplished everything we set out for, and if we are stuck, we know to ask. The hands on training experience was fantastic, and it helped to resolve many questions.

About Stevenson University
As an integral part of the University, the Library engages the SU community in the discovery, evaluation, and creation of information through collaborative relationships, trustworthy resources and dynamic spaces. Our role in the academic process inspires curiosity, forms the habit of lifelong learning and leads to extraordinary experiences.

Read more at: https://stevenson.libguides.com

About ByWater Solutions
ByWater Solutions is a full service, high quality Koha 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 for Koha support 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: https:bywatersolutions.com.

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, HTML5, 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/.

For more information
Jessica Zairo
Marketing & Outreach Coordinator
ByWater Solutions
bywatersolutions.com
Phone:(888)900-8944

Kent District Library is the First Public Library System in the State of Michigan to Offer Career Online High School to Help Adults Earn a High School Diploma

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. and FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – May 21, 2019 – Residents in Kent County now have the opportunity to obtain their high school diploma from their local public library. Kent District Library offers Career Online High School from Gale, a Cengage company, making it the first public library system in the state of Michigan to offer qualified residents the chance to earn a free, accredited high school diploma.

Kent District Library is currently launching Career Online High School at its 19 branch libraries and is offering a limited number of scholarships to qualified adults (21 and older) who are looking to advance their careers, prepare for workforce entry or continue their education. There is no cost to students for the program, but enrollment is limited and requires a library card.

“With approximately 35,000 adults in Kent County without a high school diploma, we wanted to implement a program that gives our residents an opportunity to advance their education and achieve their career dreams,” said Lance Werner, Director at Kent District Library. “The life-changing impact the Career Online High School program has had within communities, enabling residents to further their education and earn their high school diploma to accomplish their career goals, made our decision to invest in the program easy. The program truly shows the economic value public libraries provide to communities and future workforces, and we couldn’t be more excited to be the first public library in Michigan to offer it.”

Once enrolled, students can access and complete program courses online from anywhere using a computer, laptop, or tablet or by using library computers, with up to 18 months to finish the program. Additionally, students can complete the program sooner by transferring previously earned high school credits or credits from any of the four GED subject areas tests that were passed at a Performance Level 2 or above (145+). Concurrently with the diploma, students earn a workforce certificate in one of 10 trade areas, ranging from protection officer to childcare and education to home care professional.

With Career Online High School, Kent District Library cardholders can:

• Earn an accredited high school diploma while preparing for a career in one of 10 high-demand, high-growth fields.

• Take classes online, with the flexibility of 24/7 access to classwork.

• Be supported by an academic coach and certified instructors who care about their success.

• Gain career readiness with a career portfolio including a resume, a cover letter and job preparation support.

“Kudos to Kent District Library for investing in the education of its residents and recognizing the value their libraries bring to its communities and economic growth through workforce development,” said Paul Gazzolo, senior vice president and general manager at Gale. “We are thrilled and honored to be a trusted partner in providing Kent District Library with educational resources that help residents reach their education and career goals.”

Kent County residents interested in learning more about the program or who would like to view the list of libraries that offer the program can visit KDL.org/cohs.

About Career Online High School
Career Online High School was developed in 2012 through a partnership by ed2go, a division of Cengage that provides students with online continuing education and career training, and Smart Horizons Career Online Education in an effort to provide affordable, career-based online education opportunities for the millions of adults in the United States without high school diplomas. In 2014, the program was adapted for the public library market by Gale, a Cengage company.

About Kent District Library
Kent District Library (KDL) is a public library system operating 19 branch libraries that serve nearly 400,000 residents of 27 different municipalities throughout Kent County. KDL is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by millage dollars and private donations. KDL is a member of the Lakeland Library Cooperative. For more information, visit: kdl.org.

About Cengage and Gale
Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. The company serves the higher education, K-12, professional, library and workforce training markets worldwide. Gale, a Cengage company, provides libraries with original and curated content, as well as the modern research tools and technology that are crucial in connecting libraries to learning, and learners to libraries. For more than 60 years, Gale has partnered with libraries around the world to empower the discovery of knowledge and insights – where, when and how people need it. Gale has 500 employees globally with its main operations in Farmington Hills, Michigan. For more information, please visit www.gale.com.

Follow Gale on:
• Twitter - @galecengage
• Gale Blog - http://blog.gale.com/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GaleCengage/

EBSCO Information Services Partners with The Carroll Center for the Blind to Advance User Research and Design
~ Partnership Leverages Center’s Expertise and Reinforces EBSCO’s Commitment to Accessibility ~

IPSWICH, Mass. — May 16, 2019 — EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) and The Carroll Center for the Blind today announced a partnership in which the two organizations will work together to improve and enhance the experience across EBSCO products for users with a varying array of disabilities. The Carroll Center for the Blind, based in Newton, Massachusetts, offers a wide range of comprehensive services for the blind and visually impaired at all ages and all stages of vision loss.

The announcement coincides with Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2019, a community-powered effort to advance digital accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.

The Carroll Center will work with EBSCO to support the company’s existing design and user research processes, while facilitating user testing and providing support for best practices in accessibility. The Carroll Center’s Accessibility Services team offers technical and human resources which support a wide array of vision impairment ranging from low vision to complete blindness. EBSCO’s Accessibility team focuses on ensuring that all products are accessible, maintaining a positive experience for all users.

EBSCO Senior Vice President of Product Management Tim Lull says this partnership was formed through a thoughtful, informed exploration of EBSCO’s user research and design needs as the company continues to enhance existing products, as well as develop new software solutions. “One of EBSCO’s main goals is to provide access to relevant and reliable information when, where and how people need it, regardless of any accessibility challenges. Our partnership with The Carroll Center will significantly impact our commitment to continuous improvement of our products and services to meet the needs of all our customers and users.”

Bruce Howell, Accessibility Services Manager at The Carroll Center for the Blind, said the partnership with EBSCO’s user experience designers will ensure that people with vision impairment and other disabilities can successfully access and use EBSCO online products. “Whenever The Carroll Center brings its accessibility expertise and knowledge of blindness and vision impairment to an innovative, industry-leading company like EBSCO, we know we will be ensuring greater access to information and research materials for a wider body of current and potential product users. Collaborating on projects like this supports both of our missions to provide equal access to important digital learning tools and resources.”

For more information about EBSCO’s commitment to accessibility, visit www.ebsco.com/technology/accessibility. For more information on The Carroll Center for the Blind, visit www.carroll.org.

About EBSCO Information Services
EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) is the leading discovery service provider for libraries worldwide with more than 11,000 discovery customers in over 100 countries. EBSCO Discovery Service™ (EDS) provides each institution with a comprehensive, single search box for its entire collection, offering unparalleled relevance ranking quality and extensive customization. EBSCO is also the preeminent provider of online research content for libraries, including hundreds of research databases, historical archives, point-of-care medical reference, and corporate learning tools serving millions of end users at tens of thousands of institutions. EBSCO is the leading provider of electronic journals & books for libraries, with subscription management for more than 360,000 serials, including more than 57,000 e-journals, as well as online access to more than 1,000,000 e-books. For more information, visit the EBSCO website at: www.ebsco.com. EBSCO Information Services is a division of EBSCO Industries Inc., a family owned company since 1944.

About The Carroll Center for the Blind
Established in 1936, The Carroll Center for the Blind empowers those who are blind and visually impaired to achieve independence and to lead a fulfilling life. The nonprofit organization provides services for individuals of all ages and all stages of vision loss, including vision rehabilitation services, vocational and transition programs, assistive technology training, educational support, services for seniors, and an optical shop. For more information, visit www.carroll.org.

###

For more information, please contact:
Jessica Holmes
EBSCO Information Services
Communications Director
978-356-6500 ext. 3485
jmholmes@ebsco.com

Greg Turner
Ball Consulting Group, LLC. (The Carroll Center for the Blind)
Vice President
617-243-9950
greg@ballcg.com

ByWater Solutions, an open source community contributor and America’s forefront provider of Koha support, announced today that the following library partners sponsored new features in Koha 18.11 Release.

Bedford Public Library
Allow skipping of patrons with valid emails for Talking Tech (Bug 19620)

Carnegie Stout Library
Create an additional column in the Batch Item Modification Tool (Bug 19490)
Add ability to void any credit (Bug 20703)

CLiC - Colorado Library Consortium
Holds - Branch Transfer Limits (Bug 7534 and 7614)

The Farmington Libraries
Print hold slips without confirmation (Bug 19383)

Fargo Public Library
Add a ‘Collection’ column in the patron loans data table (Bug 19719)
Block renewals by arbitrary item values (Bug 15494)
Allow 'writeoff of selected' (Bug 19617)
Holds rerouting dialog improvements (Bug 21346)

Middletown Public Library (MTPL)
Restrict number of holds placed by day (Bug 15486)

Northeast Kansas Library System (NEKLS)
Share patron lists between staff (Bug 19524)

Portsmouth Public Library
Add spans with classes around callnumbers in OPAC for additional styling (Bug 21340)

Port Orford Public Library
Add ability to merge patron records (Bug 9302)

Round Rock Public Library
Set limit on maximum possible holds per patron by category (Bug 15524)
MARC modification templates - Add an 'Add' option (Bug 13560)
Add collection and language facets to results (Bug 17169 and 18213)

About ByWater Solutions
ByWater Solutions is a full service, high quality Koha 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 for Koha support 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: https:bywatersolutions.com.

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, HTML5, 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/.

For more information
Jessica Zairo
Marketing & Outreach Coordinator
ByWater Solutions
bywatersolutions.com
Phone:(888)900-8944