THE ILS AND BEYOND: INTRODUCTION AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Marshall BreedingDirector for Innovative Technology and ResearchVanderbilt University LibraryFounder and Publisher, Library Technology Guideshttp://www.librarytechnology.org/http://twitter.com/mbreedingDeVryJanuary 14, 2011

Abstract

The shape of library collections and the needs of their users present major challenges for the development of adequate technology support components. Marshall Breeding will present his view of the current state of the art of library management systems, the role of discovery products to improve end-user experiences.

Agenda

Agenda What is an ILS What are the advantages Current trends in the marketplace What to look for when selecting an ILS Best of breed

Q&A If time permits

How can an ILS reduce operating expenses Can an ILS market a library’s services Success stories (best demonstrated practices) Benefits of an ILS to the patron

What is an ILS and why libraries need them

Definition

Integrated Library System (US) Library Management System (UK /

Australia) Business automation for library

operations Service delivery for library patrons Multiple modules that specialize in

different sectors of library activity Tied together through common

databases

Traditional ILS Model

Circulation

BIB

Staff Interfaces:

Holding / Items

CircTransact

User Vendor Policies$$$

Funds

Cataloging Acquisitions Serials OnlineCatalog

Public Interfaces:

Interfaces

BusinessLogic

DataStores

ILS Modules

Cataloging Resource description MARC bibliographic records, holdings, items

Circulation Manages tasks related to lending materials Loan policies, fines, notices, renewals, holds

Acquisitions Procurement of new materials Vendor file, fund management, invoice processing

Serials Manages periodicals and serials Procurement, check-in, routing

ILS front-end: online catalog

OPAC = online public access catalog Access to the collection and services for library

patron Search and display of materials Patron services

Login with barcode / PIN or Username/Password View current checkouts Place holds Pay fines

OPACs being displaced by next-gen catalogs or discovery interfaces

History of the ILS

Emerged in the early 1970’s Companies or products included Geac,

CLSI, DataPhase Cycles of technology:

Mainframe > Client/Server > Web-based Library Development > Vendors >

Open source / Library Development

History of Library Automation Industry

ILS companies/products

Ex Libris Voyager Aleph

SirsiDynix Symphony Horizon

The Library Corporation Library.Solution

Polaris Library Systems Polaris

Innovative Interfaces Millennium

OCLC Web-scale

Management Services

VTLS Virtua

Auto-Grapics AGent Verso

ILS products: small library

Library World Biblionix

Apollo Mandarin Follett

Destiny Book Systems

Atriuum

Open Source ILS

Koha Evergreen OPALS

Advantages of the ILS

ILS enables operational efficiency

Automates routine tasks performed by library staff

Enables library personnel to focus on most value added activities

Manages and provides access to library collections in ways not possible with manual systems

ILS Strengths

The ILS was conceived primarily for managing print resources

Central application for managing patrons and providing self-service functions through a Web-based OPAC

Connects with self-check stations and other peripheral systems

Essential automation for any library with physical assets

The Shrinking ILS

The Library Management System no longer stands as the single library automation product that provides comprehensive support for all aspects of library operations.

Many libraries putting much less emphasis on LMS

Manages workflows related to physical materials

Investments in electronic content increasing

Management of e-content handled outside of the ILS

…shrinking ILS

Yet: libraries need comprehensive business automation more than ever. Mandate for more efficient operations. Do more with less.

Proliferation of automation products needed to handle all aspects of libraries can overwhelm many libraries

Libraries lack technical personnel and needed capital to purchase and manage multiple systems

Breaking out of the mold

Academic and Research libraries especially struggle with how to deal with managing increasing proportions of licensed electronic content

ILS geared toward print materials New products aim to manage library

resources spanning print and electronic; owned or licensed

Examples: Ex Libris Alma, Kuali OLE

Legacy ILS + e-content modules

FederatedSearch

Circulation Acquisitions

Cataloging Serials

OpenURLLinking

Electronic Resource

MgmtSystem

Staff Interfaces:

End User Interfaces:

Data Stores:

Functionalmodules:

ILS / Electronic Resource Management

Circulation

BIB

Staff Interfaces:

Holding / Items

CircTransact

User Vendor Policies$$$

Funds

CatalogingAcquisitionsSerials OnlineCatalog

Public Interfaces:

Application Programming Interfaces

`

LicenseManagement

LicenseTerms

E-resourceProcurement

VendorsE-Journal

Titles

Protocols: CORE

ILS / Electronic Resource Management

Circulation

BIB

Staff Interfaces:

Holding / Items

CircTransact

User Vendor Policies$$$

Funds

Cataloging Acquisitions Serials + e-resources

Online Catalog

Public Interfaces:

Application Programming InterfacesLicense

manager

LicenseTerms

Print +Electronic

Industry Trends

Current state of the industry

Library Technology Guides

www.librarytechnolog

y.org

Dynamics of the ILS market

http://

www.li

brary

tech

nolog

y.or

g/ils-

turn

over

.pl

Library Journal Automation Marketplace

Published annually in April 1 issue Based on data provided by each vendor Focused primarily on North America

Context of global library automation market

Annual Industry report published in Library Journal: 2010: New Models, Core Systems 2009: Investing in the Future 2008: Opportunity out of turmoil 2007: An industry redefined 2006: Reshuffling the deck 2005: Gradual evolution 2004: Migration down, innovation up 2003: The competition heats up 2002: Capturing the migrating customer

LJ Automation Marketplace

New Models…

 …no longer an industry where companies compete on the basis

of the best or the most features in similar products but one where companies distinguish themselves through products and services that define different futures for their library customers.

Core Systems…

Although ILS sales no longer completely define the library

automation market, new sales and ongoing support of

these flagship products continue as the largest and

most reliable revenue stream.

Key Context: Libraries in Transition Shift from Print > Electronic Increasing emphasis on subscribed

content, especially articles and databases

Strong emphasis on digitizing local collections

Demands for enterprise integration and interoperability

Key Context: Library Users in Transition

New generations of library users: Millennial generation

Self sufficient – reluctant to seek assistance Perceive themselves as competent to use

information tools without help Web savvy / Digital natives Pervasive Web 2.0 concepts / Inherently collaborative work styles

Key Context: Technologies in transition

XML / Web services / Service-oriented Architecture

Beyond Web 2.0 Integration of social computing into core

infrastructure Local computing shifting to cloud platforms

SaaS / private cloud / public cloud Full spectrum of devices

full-scale / net book / tablet / mobile Mobile the current focus, but is only one

example of device and interface cycles

Dynamics of the Library Automation Scene

Evolutionary ILS

Revolutionary ILS

Open source and Proprietary alternatives

http://www.uoguelph.ca/theportico/science/people/

ILS: a legacy concept?

ILS = Integrated Library System (Cataloging + Circulation + OPAC + Serials +

Acquisitions) Focused on print and physical inventory Electronic content at the Journal Title or

collection level Emerged in the 1960’s – 1970’s Functionality has evolved and expanded,

but basic concepts, workflows, and modules remain intact

Note: Some companies work toward evolving the ILS to competently handle both print and digital content (e.g. Innovative Interfaces)

Evolutionary path

Gradual enhancement of long-standing ILS platforms

Wrap legacy code in APIs and Web services SirsiDynix

Unicorn (+Horizon functionality) > Symphony Innovative

INNOVAQ > INNOPAC > Millennium > Encore Civica

Urica > Spydus(Urica Integrated Systems, Amalgamated Wireless Australia, McDonnell Douglas Information Systems, Sanderson)

Traditional Proprietary Commercial ILS Millennium, Symphony, Polaris

Traditional Open Source ILS Evergreen, Koha

Clean slate automation framework (SOA, enterprise-ready) Ex Libris URM, OLE Project

Cloud-based automation system WorldCat Local (+circ, acq, license

management)

Competing Models of Library Automation

Rethinking library automation

Fundamental assumption: Print + Digital = Hybrid libraries

Traditional ILS model alone not adequate for hybrid libraries

Libraries currently moving toward surrounding core ILS with additional modules to handle electronic content

New discovery layer interfaces replacing or supplementing ILS OPACS

Working toward a new model of library automation Monolithic legacy architectures replaced by fabric of SOA

applications Comprehensive Resource Management

“It's Time to Break the Mold of the Original ILS” Computers in Libraries Nov/Dec 2007

Open Source ILS

Characteristics

Source code made available when distributed

Coordinated development community Commercial development / support firms Individual programmers at customer sites

Services-based business model Conversion, installation configuration Hosting Ongoing support

Major players

Evergreen: public library consortia Koha: mid-sized academic and public OPALS: K-12 schools, other small

libraries ABCD: libraries and documentation

centers in developing countries

Evergreen

Originally developed by Georgia Public Library System for PINES consortium (262 small public libraries)

Service-oriented, consortial design Feature set suited for public library

consortia Missing many features for Academics:

serials, acquisitions, reserve, etc

Implementations

Georgia PINES British Columbia Sitka consortium Sage Library System (Oregon) South Central Library System (MN with

support from MnPALS) King County Library System Bibliomation (Connecticut) Not seen yet outside North America

Koha

Open source ILS Originally developed in New Zealand Used by many libraries in the United States

with commercial support Gaining hold in Latin America Spanish translation available; some

local/regional development Popular forward migration path from CDS/ISIS Workshops and training available MARC21-based system with adequate features

Koha Worldwide

Open source drivers

Disruption of products forced through mergers and acquisitions

Frustration with ability to shape the direction of development with vendors of proprietary products

Interest in taking stronger hold of the strategic technologies that impact service delivery and operations

Willingness to support equal or higher cost to regain control

Some libraries expect long-term financial savings

US: PTFS/LibLime, ByWater Solutions, Equinox, MediaFlex

Australia/NZ: Katipo, CALYX information essentials, Strategic Data, Catalyst

Building support Concept of open source Promotion of specific products

Struggling to meet expectations Satisfaction lower than many companies offering

proprietary products Some companies offering proprietary products score

much lower than open source

Open Source Companies

Alma: new automation platform from Ex Libris

Recently branded from development name Unified Resource Management

Automation platform for managing library resources across formats

Highly shared data models Designed for multitenant SaaS Expected delivery of production product

in Early 2012

Alma -- continued

Development partners and Early Adopters engaged

Target market: national, larger research, academic

Forward migration path for Voyager and Aleph

Relies on Primo discovery layer Market impact: 2013 and beyond

OCLC Web-scale Management Service

"the first Web-scale, cooperative library management service”

New highly scaleable platform for WorldCat Cataloging Interlibrary loan Discovery (WorldCat Local) Circulation Acquisitions License Management

Early deployments underway now – UTC, Pepperdine, etcIn Challenge to ILS Industry, OCLC Extends WorldCat Local To Launch New Library System

Marshall Breeding, Library Journal 4/23/2009http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6653619.html

Open Systems

Achieving openness has risen as the key driver behind library technology strategies

Open source Open API’s Demand for Interoperability Libraries need to do more with their

data Ability to improve customer experience

Closed Systems

CirculationAcquisitionsCataloging

Staff Interfaces:

End User Interfaces:

Data Stores:

Functionalmodules:

No programmable Access to the system.

Captive to the userInterfaces supplied by the developer

Programmer access:

Open Source Model

CirculationAcquisitionsCataloging

Staff Interfaces:

End User Interfaces:

Data Stores:

Functionalmodules:

All aspects of the system available to inspection and modification.

Programmer access:

Open API Model

CirculationAcquisitionsCataloging

Staff Interfaces:

End User Interfaces:

Data Stores:

Functionalmodules:

Core application closed.

Third party developers code against the published APIs or RDBMS tables.

Programmer access:

Published APIs

Open Source / Open API Model

CirculationAcquisitionsCataloging

Staff Interfaces:

End User Interfaces:

Data Stores:

Functionalmodules:

Core application closed.

Third party developers code against the published APIs or RDBMS tables.

Programmer access:

Published APIs

Legacy ILS Model / External API

Circulation

BIB

Staff Interfaces:

Holding / Items

CircTransact

User Vendor Policies$$$

Funds

CatalogingAcquisitions Serials OnlineCatalog

Public Interfaces:

Application Programming Interfaces / Web Services

Protocols: SIP2 NCIP Z39.50 OAI-PMH

ExternalSystems

& Services

ExternalSystems

& Services

Flexible Interoperability

Benefits of APIs to Libraries

Extensibility Interoperability Allows the LMS to connect with other automation

components Create a matrix of interconnected systems rather

than isolated silos with redundant data and functionality

ILS maturity means similar levels of functionality ILS products increasingly differentiated by extent

and quality of APIs and interoperability support

Con

solid

ate

d in

dex

Search Engine

Discovery ServiceSearch:

Digital Coll

ProQuest

EBSCO…

JSTOR

Other Resour

ces

New Library Management Model

`

API Layer

Library Management

System

LearningManageme

nt

LearningManageme

nt

Enterprise ResourcePlanning

Enterprise ResourcePlanning

StockManageme

nt

StockManageme

nt

Self-Check /

Automated Return

Self-Check /

Automated Return

Authentication

Service

Authentication

Service

Smart Cad /

Payment systems

Smart Cad /

Payment systems

From local discovery to comprehensive discovery

New models of Library Collection Discovery

Evolution of library collection discovery tools

Bound handwritten catalogs Card Catalogs Library online catalogs – OPACs Next-Gen Catalogs / Discovery interfaces Social Discovery Web-scale discovery services Comprehensive presentation layer

services

Bound Catalog

National Library of Colombia

Card Catalog

National Library of Argentina

Card Catalog

National and University Library, Slovenia

Card Catalog

Card Catalog

University of Kansas Library

Online Card Catalog

Salem International University

Computerized card catalog

Online Catalog

Search:

Search Results

ILS Data

Web-based online catalog

Disjointed approach to information and service delivery

Silos Prevail Books: Library OPAC (ILS module) Articles: Aggregated content products, e-journal

collections OpenURL linking services E-journal finding aids (Often managed by link

resolver) Subject guides (e.g. Springshare LibGuides) Local digital collections

ETDs, photos, rich media collections Metasearch engines

All searched separately

Federated Search

Simultaneous search of library catalog and selected remote resources of electronic content

Based on live, dynamic queries cast to multiple targets

Limited result sets, slow performance Search and retrieval protocols: Z39.50,

XML gateways

Federated Search

Search: Digital

Collections

ProQuest

EBSCOhost

…MLA

Bibliography

ABC-CLIO

Search Results

Real-time query and responses

ILS Data

Modernized Interface

Single search box Query tools

Did you mean Type-ahead

Relevance ranked results Faceted navigation Enhanced visual displays

Cover art Summaries, reviews,

Recommendation services

Discovery Products

http://www.librarytechnology.org/

discovery.pl

Decoupled from ILS / Best of Breed

Discovery Interface

Search: Digital

Collections

ProQuest

EBSCOhost

…MLA

Bibliography

ABC-CLIO

Search Results

Real-time query and responses

ILS Data

Local Index

Meta

Search

En

gin

e

Endeca

AquaBrowser

AquaBrowser

AquaBrowser

LS2 PAC

VuFind

VuFind: Villanova University

Differentiation in Discovery

Products increasingly specialized between public and academic libraries

Public libraries: emphasis on engagement with physical collection

Academic libraries: concern for discovery of heterogeneous material types, especially books + articles + digital objects

Discovery from Local to Web-scale Initial products focused on technology

AquaBrowser, Endeca, Primo, Encore, VuFind Mostly locally-installed software

Current phase focused on pre-populated indexes that aim to deliver Web-scale discovery Summon (Serials Solutions) WorldCat Local (OCLC) EBSCO Discovery Service (EBSCO) Primo Central Encore Synergy

Web-scale Discovery

Search: Digital

Collections

ProQuest

EBSCOhost

…MLA

Bibliography

ABC-CLIO

Search Results

Pre-built harvesting and indexing

Con

solid

ate

d In

dex

ILS Data

Web-scale Search + Federated Search

Search: Digital

Collections

ProQuest

…MLA

Bibliography

ABC-CLIO

Search Results

Pre-built harvesting and indexing

Con

solid

ate

d

Index

ILS Data

FedSearch Non-

harvestable

Resources

Interim model to deal with resources not possible to harvest into consolidated index

Summon

EBSCO Discovery Service

Encore Synergy

Primo / Primo Central

Encore Synergy

Search: Digital

Collections

ProQuest

…Lo

cal

Index

ILS Data

Web

S

erv

ices

Local Index Results

Local Index Results

Remote Search Results

EBSCOhost

…MLA

Bibliography

ABC-CLIO

Social Discovery

Builds on modernized library catalog interfaces Strong emphasis on Web 2.0 concepts Users invited to contribute reviews, ratings,

preferences, reading lists, etc. User-supplied data becomes part of the

discovery process Users help each other to find interesting library

materials Example: Leverage use data for a

recommendation service of scholarly content based on link resolver data: Ex Libris bX service

Social Discovery

Search:

Digital Collections

Web site data

…User

Contributed Content

Search Results

Loca

l Ind

ex

ILS Data

BiblioCommons

BiblioCommons

SoPAC

SoPAC

Questions and discussion

Thanks!