Library Technology Guides

In recent months, a schism has erupted in the open source resource sharing realm. Two open source resource sharing projects that previously resided within a single organization have separated, due not only to the differing functional models of their products, but also because of differences in styles of collaboration. Launched in 2018, Project ReShare has been advancing an open source platform for resource sharing, created collaboratively among a community of interested libraries and vendors. Project ReShare continues with its mission to strengthen its resource sharing community and to continue to enhance and support its platform. The organization is also refining its organizational structure and articulating its values and community processes. OpenRS, was launched in 2023 as a new initiative to develop, support, and promote a new open source direct consortial borrowing solution. Though a relatively new project, OpenRS moves forward with a well defined development agenda, backed by two commercial vendors, EBSCO Information Services and Knowledge Integration, with substantial involvement of MOBIUS as its first planned implementor.

Following an extensive procurement process, GALILEO has selected EBSCO FOLIOopens new tab and ReShare supported by EBSCO Information Servicesopens new tab for the shared system supporting the 26 institutions of the University System of Georgia and the Georgia Archives to replace its current Ex Libris Alma implementation. This announcement marks the only large-scale implementation of Alma to migrate to another platform. It further reinforces the momentum gained by EBSCO FOLIO in the last year, following its selection by the Library of Congress and the MOBIUS consortium.

Consolidation through mergers and acquisitions has been constant through the last three decades of the library technology industry. The drivers behind consolidation include the desire for company growth and operational efficiency. Companies grow organically by selling products and services to additional customers. Organic growth possibilities are limited, especially in finite markets such as library technologies. Business acquisitions accomplish growth more rapidly, assembling companies with broader product portfolios and access to more customers. Ambitious product strategies often cannot be realized without substantial financial resources.

In a move that expands its international presence, Follett School Solutions has acquired Accessit, the New Zealand-based developer of the Accessit Library system, used mostly in primary and secondary schools. Bringing these two companies together represents a major step toward establishing Follett School Solutions as an international educational technology provider with a wide range of products and services.

A detailed history of the Follett Corporation covering events from the antecedent businesses, though its expansion through the creation of multiple subsidiaries to address new areas of business, and its ultimate demise through the divestiture of its primary businesses. The underlying businesses continue under the ownership of new investment groups.

One of the most insidious forms of computer attack takes the form of ransomware. This issue of Library Systems Newsletter covers the attack that recently disrupted the services of Baker & Taylor, the dominant provider of books and other materials to libraries. This attack was costly not only for Baker & Taylor, but it also impeded thousands of libraries from placing orders for needed materials for more than two weeks. Libraries themselves have also been targets of ransomware attacks. Some of these incidents are outlined in this issue, in an resource that will be updated as previous attacks are discovered or new ones transpire.

Baker & Taylor, a major distributor of books and other content to libraries experienced a ransomware attack on about August 22, 2022, disrupting its services, including the Title Source 360 ecommerce system that libraries use to place orders for material and the EDI services used for automated transactions with library systems. The Axis 360 ebook service was not impacted. The outage of Title Source 360 was restored on the morning of September 7, ending a 17-day outage.

A number of libraries have been victims of ransomware attacks. Unlike many targets of these kind of attacks, libraries do not have especially deep pockets. Further, there is broad consensus among the library information technology community not to engage with the perpetrators of these attacks. This article provides listings of known ransomware attacks on libraries and will be updated as new incidents are discovered

The global COVID-19 pandemic caused enormous disruption in the library community. Libraries closed their physical facilities for extended periods, gradually phasing in services through curbside-pickup or other programs that limited physical contacted between library workers and patrons. Libraries extended and enhanced their online content and services, making extensive efforts to continue to meet the needs of their patrons and communities during these periods. Library associations, such as the American Library Association shifted conferences and other events to virtual formats, resulting in substantially less income compared to in-person events. Library vendors supported libraries through this period through new technologies and services, such as enhanced digital services and applications to manage the request and fulfillment of curbside pickup programs. These organizations received some financial relief through loans offered through the Paycheck Protection Program of the CARES act administered by the Small Business Administration. This report describes the loans received and forgiven though this program for library-related organizations

The library technology industry continues to digest the major changes previously announced. Business transitions such as the acquisition of ProQuest by Clarivate and Follett School Solutions breaking away from Follett Corporation to become a portfolio company of Francisco Partners are the beginning of a longer process of business integration and settling into longer-term leadership structures and product strategies. SAGE Publications launch of its Technology from SAGE division is an important initiative that continues to develop. The launch of the open source FOLIO project stands to alter the competitive arena for academic libraries. This issue of Library Technology Newsletter covers incremental changes that have transpired in recent weeks related to these major industry events.

Clarivate has announced that Jerre Stead will retire as its Chief Executive Officer and that Jonathan Gear will succeed him in this top leadership role. Gear has joined the Clarivate board of directors effective July 11, 2022; the transition to the CEO role takes place on September 1, 2022. Stead remains on the Clarivate board of directors, changing roles from Executive Chair to Non-executive Chair. Following the transition Gear holds full operational responsibility for Clarivate.

SAGE Publishing announced that it has acquired Sciwheel, joining the product portfolio of its Technology from SAGE division. Sciwheel is a citation management application, competing with products such as Endnote, Refworks , Mendeley, and Zotero. Sciwheel includes many features that especially complement the company's Lean Library applications and that will be incorporated into that environment. Sciwheel, initially known as F1000Workspace, was launched in May 2015opens new tab by F1000 (previously Faculty of 1000) an organization founded by open access pioneer Vitek Tracz.

Follett School Solutions has announced that Chris Porter has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, Software. Britten Follett continues as Chief Executive Officer, Content. This dual CEO structure is not common, and is an interesting characteristic of this company that preserves the continuity of its earlier business environment as it moves forward under new ownership.

The FOLIO library services platform, based on open source software, has made rapid gains in library implementations. Following a five-year development effort, the major modules of FOLIO are complete and implementations are well underway. These implementations span multiple support arrangements and include large, mid-sized, and small libraries. This article describes the inroads that FOLIO has made in the academic library arena and examines its positioned going forward in this competitive environment.

Bibliographic services represent a critical component of the library information ecosystem. Since the earlies phases of library automation, many vendors and organizations have developed processes to enable libraries to create records to describe items in their collections and to share them among peer institutions to avoid redundant efforts. OCLC's WorldCat and its Cataloging and Metadata Services represent the culmination of many of efforts into a global ecosystem for bibliographic records and authority control. Though OCLC ranks as the dominant provider, other services are available and new initiatives are underway. How libraries create and share the records that describe collection items has recently erupted into controversy. Two major industry giants are now pitted against each other in a legal dispute over accusations of anti-competitive business practices and on the extent to which bibliographic records can be shared among libraries.

OCLC filed a lawsuit against Clarivate and its subsidiaries demanding that Ex Libris cease promoting MetaDoor in a way that causes its member libraries to violate policies and contracts related to records in WorldCat. The complaint, filed on June 13, 2022, claims that Ex Libris is prompting OCLC members to share collection data that includes WorldCat records to MetaDoor in a way that violates OCLC policies and the terms of subscription contracts. OCLC asserts that MetaDoor takes unfair advantage of its long history of building WorldCat as a near-comprehensive bibliographic database. Further, OCLC states that Ex Libris offering MetaDoor as a free service is an anticompetitive strategy that endangers its very existence. This article presents the basic statements related to the complaint without opinion or commentary.

Ex Libris, part of Clarivate, is developing a new metadata platform for libraries, branded as MetaDoor. This new platform will differ from existing bibliographic utilities. Instead of building a massive repository of bibliographic records, the service is based on indexing and artificial intelligence technologies to identify records residing in the integrated library systems or library services platforms of participating institutions that can be shared with other libraries for copy cataloging or record enhancement.

Baker & Taylor launched its new BTCat cataloging service at the Public Library Association conference in March 2022. BTCat offers a full-featured cataloging service including a large-scale database of bibliographic records and a sophisticated interface. Libraries can also purchase professional services for custom projects.

Libraries make use of bibliographic services to facilitate the process of describing materials in their collection. These services provide bibliographic records in MARC format that can be loaded or imported into the library's catalog saving considerable effort compared to creating each record anew. The vast majority of library materials acquired have been previously described. Bibliographic services bring efficiencies to the broader cataloging community, enabling catalogers to focus on previously undescribed materials or on enhancing existing records. The landscape of bibliographic services for libraries is narrow. Some of the options available in previous phases of the industry have consolidated into other organizations. New services have emerged in this arena recently, including BTCat from Baker & Taylor, and MetaDoor, a proposed new service from Ex Libris.

Libraries want their collections to be easily accessed by their communities. They provide catalogs or discovery services through their websites to enable efficient ways to search, request, or download materials. It's also important to enable convenient access to library materials to those that begin from Google or other popular web destinations. Multiple technologies and services help their patrons find and access items in a library's collection. Library catalogs have long been the primary tool for search and access of library collections, and continually strive to be more effective and easier to use. For most libraries, the online catalog provides comprehensive coverage of all items in the collection, including owned and licensed materials. Online catalogs have evolved to become easier to use and to address all aspects of library collections, including print, electronic, and digital materials. Libraries also benefit from additional pathways to their collections. The concept of discoverability considers other ways to access library materials other than the traditional catalogs and discovery services.

OverDrive has been a longstanding partner with Google to facilitate the discoverability of ebooks and audiobooks available from libraries. As the leading provider of digital collection materials to public libraries, its efforts have a large impact on the visibility of libraries on the web. Persons can borrow Ebooks and audiobooks from their library's OverDrive collection via Google search results. When searching for a book on Google, results will usually offer a knowledge panel presenting additional information about the title, along with action buttons for buying a copy or borrowing from a library. When available as an ebook or audiobook from a nearby library that offers the title, the Borrow action connects the user directly its page in the library's OverDrive collection.

OCLC has recently expanded its efforts to enable discovery of library collection items through Google search. The organization has joined those partnering with Google, providing feeds and other data needed to enable individuals to borrow items from their local library through the knowledge panels displayed in search results for books. By expanding its partnership program with Google, OCLC now provides a new and more powerful way to facilitate the exposure for library collections on the web. This mechanism enables links directly to the item in the library's catalog from the initial page of a Google search. This capability is facilitated by structured data from WorldCat delivered to Google and the linking data in the WorldCat Registry.

NoveList, a division of EBSCO Information Servicesopens new tab, offers its Linked Library Service, leveraging linked data to enable multiple paths for making libraries and their collections more visible on the web. The Linked Library Service is based on technologies and linked data infrastructure developed and deployed by Zepheira, a company it acquired in 2020. The Linked Library Service is based on the Library.Link network that brings together a variety of linked data resources. Libraries that subscribe to the service export their collection as represented in MARC records, which are then transformed into BIBFRAME and merged into the network.

Koios offers a digital marketing service to help libraries improve their visibility on the web through Google Ads. These ads can appear prominently in the search results and channel visitors to the library web site. These ads can feature its website, catalog, or specific resources. Web analytics can demonstrate the impact of Google Ad on the visitors to a library's web site. Koios notes that smaller libraries see substantial increases, since a fixed number of click-throughs represent a higher portion of overall website traffic. The use of paid advertising has an impact on the privacy of users that visit the library's website.

This special issue of Library Technology Newsletter includes the results of the Annual International Library Automation Perceptions Survey conducted through Library Technology Guides. The International Survey of Library Automation provides a unique opportunity for libraries to evaluate their core technology systems, their associated vendors, and to offer their views on relevant topics and trends. This fifteenth edition of the survey received 2,790 responses. The 43,049 cumulative responses received since 2007 document interesting and important trends related to key technology products and vendors. View full report.

Libraries uphold a strong professional ethic regarding the privacy of the individuals making use of their collections and services. The library must strive to be a safe haven where individuals can access information of any sort without the fear of reprisals. In contrast, most commercial destinations do not necessarily offer such privacy protection. Protecting user privacy adds layers of complications for libraries, both in terms of technology as well as policies and procedures.

OverDrive, a major provider of digital media services for libraries, has launched OverDrive Hub, a set of tools designed to provide new channels of communication with library patrons, along with additional analytics to measure use and engagement.

EBSCO launched a new search service designed as a starting point for research, emphasizing convenient access to open access materials. EBSCO Essentials is available to anyone regardless of affiliation. It provides a search tool for the general public that guides them to the full text of authoritative resources published as open access. The service also serves as a channel toward library-provided resources. Search results also list citations for resources restricted to subscribers. To gain access to these restricted resources, visitors can search for and connect through their library, using their library-assigned sign-in credentials.

Censorship of books in school and public libraries as well as demands by parent groups and new rounds of proposed and enacted legislation have caused considerable concern in the library community. The Library Bill of Rightsopens new tab articulates the basic practices and values that have been adopted by the American Library Association. Recent events present incredible challenges to libraries and to library workers as they strive to serve their communities according to well established professional values but must comply with new laws or face severe consequences. Follett School Solutionsopens new tab which offers the Destinyopens new tab library management system, is responding to requests from its library customers in states which have recently passed legislation requiring multiple forms of parental notification. These new laws require that school library and media centers implement ways for parents to be notified when their children borrow items or that block a student's ability to check out specified materials at their parent's request. These laws impose criminal or civil penalties to libraries or other district personnel that do not comply with the requirements of these laws.

The news of the planned parental control features that Follett School Solutions was considering for its Destiny library management system generated considerable controversy in the library community. Although these features were directly requested from libraries concerned with the new laws, the privacy issues loomed large. The intent of much of the new legislation presents a challenging environment for libraries. The requested controls, however, run contrary to library privacy policies and values and in most cases exceeded the specific legal requirements. Rather than go forward with these new modules, Follett stated that it will speak with those affected customers over the coming months to better understand their concerns without changing the privacy protections inherent to Destiny.

The ongoing consolidation of the vendors that provide products and services has brought incredible change to the business landscape. Large-scale businesses involved in multiple business sectors are now a dominant force in the library technology industry. While these large businesses have resources to develop sophisticated products and services, concerns arise relative to possible product alignment or bundling strategies and price increases. The lack of FTC intervention in the recent mergers suggests that these events have not crossed the regulatory threshold of anti-competitiveness. From the library perspective, however, the consolidated companies wield massive economic clout and the choices within any given product category have narrowed. Libraries have never been passive in their relations with the vendor community. The current environment, however, means that libraries must be even more strategic in their technology investments.

The acquisition of ProQuest by Clarivate rattled the library industry, in a bold move that further deepens consolidation. This $5.3 billion transaction brings ProQuest under the umbrella of Clarivate, a major force in the scholarly communications and intellectual property business sectors. Though not a primary publisher, Clarivate offers key content and analytics products including Web of Science, ScholarOne, Publons, InCites analytics, and Endnote. Clarivate competes with Elsevier and Digital Science as a workflow and analytics provider in the scholarly communications business ecosystem. By acquiring ProQuest, Clarivate extends its product strategy to include core library technologies as well as a major portfolio of database and content products. This acquisition moves ProQuest into the ranks of publicly traded companies. The merger was pitched to investors as saving $100 million in operational expenses across the two companies. Libraries naturally have an interest in seeing how these savings are accomplished.

Soutron Global, a company that specializes in technology products and services for corporate, law, and other special libraries, entered into a new business arrangement. This transaction combined two related companies, Soutron Limited, based in the United Kingdom and Soutron Global, based in the United States. Bloom Equity Partners gains majority ownership of the company through a new investment. Soutron Global founder Tony Saadat will hold a minority ownership stake in the combined company which he will lead as Chief Executive Officer.

This inaugural issue of Library Technology Issue is both a new beginning and a continuation. From my involvement as a journalist and analyst for the library technology industry, it continues the more than a decade as the exclusive contributor to Smart Libraries Newsletter, a monthly publication dedicated to developments in the library technology industry. Library Technology Newsletter aims to offer authoritative coverage of the vendors, products, and key people related to the technologies used by libraries. It covers core technology systems including integrated library systems, library services platforms, discovery services, inventory management hardware and software, and related products. Library Technology Newsletter is offered as an open access publication.Individuals or organizations interested in supporting the author are asked to make voluntary donations in lieu of subscription fees.

In a move that further consolidates the global library technology industry, Axiell has entered into an agreement to acquire the Library and Information Solutions division of Infor. This deal will add the V-smart integrated library system and related products to Axiell's already extensive portfolio of library technology products. The scale of the transaction is modest but impacts libraries across many countries and regions. At the time of the announcement, Infor reported 180 library customers. V-smart is a well-established product in the Benelux region, with many customers in Belgium and The Netherlands as well as in Switzerland, France, and Greece. Beyond Europe, V-Smart has been implemented by libraries in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and in the United States.

Clarivate announced in June 2021 that it would acquire ProQuest in a transaction valued at $5.3 billion. This acquisition, the largest ever in the library technology industry was originally slated to close. Due to additional time needed for regulatory approval from the Federal Trade Commission, the closing date was delayed. Clarivate announced on December 1, 2021 that the deal had closed, implying that it had gained FTC approval.