32 libraries lead the way to Web-scale innovation - OCLC Web-scale Management Services on target for July 1 general release

Submitted by Amigos on Thu, 2011-06-09 13:52

Since OCLC announced it was making its cloud-based library management services available to early adopters just 10 months ago, 32 libraries have committed to using OCLC Web-scale Management Services, the Web-based cooperative library management tools for metadata management, acquisitions, circulation, license management and workflow improvement.

The early-adopter phase has now ended, and July 1 will mark general release of these innovative cloud-based services. Among the libraries that have led the way for general release of the new services as early adopters:

  • Banning Library District
  • Bay Path College
  • Boundary County Library District
  • Bucknell University
  • California Lutheran University
  • Covenant College
  • Craven-Pamlico-Carteret Regional Library
  • Davidson College
  • Harrison College
  • High Point University
  • Hope International University
  • Jacksonville University
  • Jet Propulsion Lab – NASA at California Institute of Technology
  • Mount Mercy College
  • Newbury College
  • Norwich University
  • Pepperdine University
  • Saint Thomas University, Law Library
  • Saint Thomas University
  • The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Library
  • San Diego Christian College
  • Simpson University
  • Spring Hill College
  • Texas A&M University-San Antonio
  • University of Massachusetts Medical Center
  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
  • Vanguard University Libraries
  • Viterbo University
  • Westmont College

In addition to the 32 committed libraries in the United States, BIBSYS, the Norwegian library consortium signed an agreement with OCLC to base its new library management system on Web-scale Management Services, which will include management tools for more than 100 libraries in Norway.

Boundary County District Library was amongst the first to join the early adopters, 15 of which are now using the services in full production. "There was no question—we were on board. OCLC had proved its value through WorldCat and FirstSearch," said Sandy Ashworth, Director at Boundary, about her library’s decision to become a pilot library. "Above all, we liked that OCLC is a library cooperative. We are members working together toward a common vision sharing many of the same challenges. And it is through this shared vision that we hope to eliminate many of the barriers that prevent access to information."

"One of the things I see with Web-scale Management Services is that it’s a continuation and an expansion of a partnership that we’ve had a long, long time with OCLC," said David Jones, Director of the Library, Jacksonville University, an early adopter library.

Andrew Pace, OCLC Executive Director of Networked Library Services, said this kind of acceptance and rapid implementation of the brand new services are possible through the extraordinary efforts of the original pilot libraries, the early adopter libraries, an active and engaged library advisory council and the cloud-based architecture of the new services. "I’m really excited about the rate of adoption thus far," said Pace. "Seeing 15 libraries live and in production before the summer is an amazing accomplishment for everyone involved."

“Staff at early adopter libraries have worked tirelessly with OCLC staff through planning and testing," added Pace. "Since this is a brand new service we knew there were going to be challenges along the way. But through hard work and an enthusiastic commitment to this project, we have been able to overcome challenges and solve problems together as we progress."

Jay Jordan, OCLC President and CEO, said the OCLC cooperative is fortunate to have librarians who are willing to get involved in research product development and testing of innovative new services and programs.

"OCLC’s new Web-scale Management Services have brought forth a new generation of pioneering librarians," said Jordan. "We are grateful to these early adopter libraries for their ground-breaking efforts on behalf of the entire OCLC cooperative."

Libraries using Web-scale Management Services will lower the total cost of ownership for their library’s management and free staff time for higher-priority services. As more institutions migrate to Web-scale Management Services, libraries will be able to share data, applications and workflow improvements with peer institutions, end users and partners.

With the early-adopter phase of the project completed, OCLC is now accepting orders for libraries interested in using Web-scale Management Services. More information on OCLC Web-scale Management Services can be found on the OCLC website. See video and other presentations from early adopters at www.oclc.org/us/en/webscale/overview/websessions.htm.

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OCLC News