EBSCO FOLIO Services Available to Libraries Implementing the FOLIO Library Services Platform
~ Libraries Interested in Implementing FOLIO Can Benefit from EBSCO Implementation, Hosting and Support Services ~

IPSWICH, Mass. — August 26, 2020 — Libraries of all sizes looking for an open source Library Services Platform (LSP) using FOLIO can now rely on EBSCO FOLIO Services from EBSCO Information Services for implementation, hosting and service support. EBSCO has been involved in FOLIO since its inception, and EBSCO FOLIO Services offers libraries options when considering a new LSP.

EBSCO FOLIO Services provides a suite of services for libraries looking to implement FOLIO. By working with EBSCO, libraries of all sizes can take advantage of FOLIO’s cutting-edge approach to library automation. In some cases, libraries do not have the resources needed to host or the staff to support implementing an open source solution on their own while others may not want their technical services staff tied up with implementing and maintaining their Integrated Library System (ILS).

EBSCO FOLIO Services consists of a highly trained, experienced team for easier implementations and service support as well as sophisticated technology and trained engineers for hosting. FOLIO integrates with traditional EBSCO services, including the EBSCO Knowledge Base, which streamlines electronic resource management (ERM), and can easily integrate with existing EBSCO resources such as EBSCO Discovery Service™(EDS) for better library workflows and patron services.

EBSCO’s FOLIO Consulting Services Manager Anya Arnold says that libraries can leverage EBSCO experts as well as services to implement FOLIO with ease. “The EBSCO FOLIO Services team includes staff based in three continents (Europe, North America and South America) — a diverse, multilingual team, all of whom have experience as librarians implementing new systems in their respective libraries.”

In July, the FOLIO open source community released the Goldenrod version of the FOLIO LSP, a significant release called Version One (V1) of the open source project. The Goldenrod Release provides the core ILS functionality from the original FOLIO roadmap and includes the capabilities to enable libraries of all sizes to move to FOLIO from their current, traditional ILS or LSPs. Missouri State University and Chalmers University of Technology are good examples of the range of universities around the world that are relying on the EBSCO FOLIO Services team to adopt the FOLIO LSP and integrate the platform with EDS and other EBSCO services.

EBSCO has been involved in building FOLIO from the ground up and maximizing the FOLIO architecture for a cloud environment. In order to provide high-quality implementation and support services for FOLIO across the globe, EBSCO has partnered with vendors worldwide to pair local service and support with EBSCO hosting. These partners bring their expertise in local systems and standards and are supported by EBSCO’s infrastructure, enabling any library interested in FOLIO to receive quality support and services anywhere in the world.

EBSCO has a long history of supporting open source projects including the initial Kuali OLE project and Koha. EBSCO, as an initial founder and architect of the FOLIO project, continues to support FOLIO financially in addition to providing developers, project managers, marketing and communications expertise and has done so since the start of the FOLIO project. EBSCO FOLIO Services represents the next step of this collaboration, helping sites to adopt FOLIO by providing hosting and services while continuing to support the FOLIO Community.

About FOLIO
FOLIO is a collaborative effort among libraries, vendors, developers and consortia that leverages open source technology and a community-based effort to redefine library services and innovate based on library futures. By building on what libraries need and by leveraging library expertise as well as vendor capacity and velocity, FOLIO is designed to move libraries forward, build on the services they provide and redefine the role libraries play within their institution. FOLIO also levels the playing field and makes open source technology available to all institutions regardless of size or staffing. FOLIO brings vendors together to innovate and host services for customers and introduces open source as a service to libraries. To sign up to participate or receive more information, go to www.folio.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, and clinical decisions 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 385,000 serials, including more than 170,000 e-journals, as well as online access to more than 1,500,000 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.

###

For more information, please contact:
Kathleen McEvoy
Vice President of Communications
(800) 653-2726 ext. 2594
kmcevoy@ebsco.com

ByWater Solutions, America’s forefront provider of Open Source library technology support, announced today that the Collier Library and Information Services at the University of North Alabama is now live on Koha!

ByWater completed the transition of the library's 882,000 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://una.bywatersolutions.com.

James Mitchell, Systems Librarian at Collier Library at the University of North Alabama recently commented on the migration.

ByWater Solutions helped us to make the usually stressful process of migrating a library system easier. With a knowledgeable and friendly migration, systems, and education team, ByWater Solutions was quick to respond to our needs and help us meet deadlines for a successful implementation. I have no doubt that the ByWater Solutions team will continue to be as responsive and helpful to us after implementing Koha as they did when we were preparing to migrate to Koha.

About Collier Library and Information Services
Collier Library and Information Services will function as a critical partner to every member of the University of North Alabama pride and as a leader within the state by being an intellectual centerpiece physically and virtually, rooted in discovery, research, scholarship, and information fluency.

Read more about Collier Library and Information Services.

About ByWater Solutions
ByWater Solutions is a full service, high-quality Open Source support and implementation company dedicated to providing libraries with a lower cost, more advanced level of support for their systems than a traditional proprietary solution can offer. ByWater Solutions has a proven track record in the first-rate implementation and support services with library systems of all sizes for the Koha ILS, Aspen Discovery, Folio LSP, Coral ERM, and Libki PC Management.

Our highly ranked, comprehensive support is what sets our company apart from any other vendor in the industry. Partnering with ByWater Solutions not only lowers the cost of implementation and maintenance of OSS 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