Library Technology Guides

While the largest companies tend to garner the most headlines, it's important to remember that the library automation industry consists of a very diverse group of organizations. Players in this industry range from tiny firms of with a handful of employees to the larger international companies with hundreds of personnel that do business around the world. I'm glad to see this kind of diversity and I believe there is room in the industry for the success of many different companies and organzations. These companies differ in size, but they also represent many different types of organizations, ownership arrangements and niches within the market. This mix of companies helps ensure that there will be technology for all types of libraries at a broad range of price points.

Auto-Graphics has been landing an increasing number of consortial contracts for its AGent VERSO ILS, demonstrating its standing as one of the stronger mid-level library automation vendors in the library automation industry. Their newest clients include a large statewide consortium in Tennessee. This project stands as a significant win for Auto-Graphics and also marks the first time that Tennessee has sponsored a statewide library automation initiative. In a phase of library automation where open source automation projects gain considerable attention, it demonstrates that proprietary systems continue to be regarded as viable alternatives.