An Analysis of Evergreen Software

An Analysis of Evergreen Software

Brittany N. EmgeValdosta State University

MLIS 7505: Dr. Oguz

Brittany N. EmgeValdosta State University

MLIS 7505: Dr. Oguz

Basic BackgroundBasic Background

• Open source software developed by GPLS in 2004 to support libraries using the PINES consortium

• Used by over 544 libraries in over 12 countries

• Licensed under the GNU General Public License

• Free to download, share, and change

• Open source software developed by GPLS in 2004 to support libraries using the PINES consortium

• Used by over 544 libraries in over 12 countries

• Licensed under the GNU General Public License

• Free to download, share, and change

More BackgroundMore Background

• “Highly-scalable software for libraries that helps library patrons find library materials, and helps libraries manage, catalog, and circulate those materials, no matter how large or complex the libraries” (http://www.open-ils.org/)

• Can be altered and updated as needed, boasting capabilities of handling masses of information while remaining secure and still flexible

• “Highly-scalable software for libraries that helps library patrons find library materials, and helps libraries manage, catalog, and circulate those materials, no matter how large or complex the libraries” (http://www.open-ils.org/)

• Can be altered and updated as needed, boasting capabilities of handling masses of information while remaining secure and still flexible

AdvantagesAdvantages

• Free to download, free to change, and free to share

• Suzannah Lipscomb of Equinox Software, Inc. explains, “people like having a system that works for them, instead of having to work for their system” (June 4, 2010).

• Free to download, free to change, and free to share

• Suzannah Lipscomb of Equinox Software, Inc. explains, “people like having a system that works for them, instead of having to work for their system” (June 4, 2010).

AdvantagesAdvantages

• Escapes confines of proprietary software

• “Evergreen also has a strong and growing developer community dedicated to its health and long-term sustainability” (GPLS, 2008a).

• Escapes confines of proprietary software

• “Evergreen also has a strong and growing developer community dedicated to its health and long-term sustainability” (GPLS, 2008a).

AdvantagesAdvantages• Blogs for support:

– Evergreen Blog• http://www.open-ils.org/blog/

– Planet Evergreen• http://planet.evergreen-ils.org/

– Equinox Blog• http://blog.esilibrary.com/

– RSCEL Blog• http://www.rscel.org/

• Blogs for support: – Evergreen Blog

• http://www.open-ils.org/blog/– Planet Evergreen

• http://planet.evergreen-ils.org/– Equinox Blog

• http://blog.esilibrary.com/– RSCEL Blog

• http://www.rscel.org/

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

• Support and training costly, not included

• Maintenance may not be properly supported by staff unless trained

• Contracts with companies like Equinox can add up

• Support and training costly, not included

• Maintenance may not be properly supported by staff unless trained

• Contracts with companies like Equinox can add up

ApplicationApplication

• Libraries of all types will benefit from sharing information, especially as open source software continues to develop and cater to the needs of libraries

• Comradeship for support and information

• Libraries of all types will benefit from sharing information, especially as open source software continues to develop and cater to the needs of libraries

• Comradeship for support and information

ReferencesReferences(2009). Resource and Sharing Cooperative of Evergreen Libraries website. Retrieved

from http://www.rscel.org/

(2010). Equinox Software Website. Retrieved from http://esilibrary.com/esi/

Georgia Public Library Service. (2008). The Evergreen Project website. Retrieved from http://www.open-ils.org/

Georgia Public Library Service. (2008). Planet Evergreen blog aggregator. Retrieved from http://planet.evergreen-ils.org/

Hyman, B., & Walker, J. (2008). Case study: The evergreen open source integrated library system; its origins and significant implementations in the USA and Canada. IFLA Conference Proceedings, 1-6. Retrieved from Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text database.

Molyneux, B. (2010). An open source ILS glossary. Retrieved from http://blog.esilibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/ oss_ils_glossary_060220105.pdf

(2009). Resource and Sharing Cooperative of Evergreen Libraries website. Retrieved from http://www.rscel.org/

(2010). Equinox Software Website. Retrieved from http://esilibrary.com/esi/

Georgia Public Library Service. (2008). The Evergreen Project website. Retrieved from http://www.open-ils.org/

Georgia Public Library Service. (2008). Planet Evergreen blog aggregator. Retrieved from http://planet.evergreen-ils.org/

Hyman, B., & Walker, J. (2008). Case study: The evergreen open source integrated library system; its origins and significant implementations in the USA and Canada. IFLA Conference Proceedings, 1-6. Retrieved from Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text database.

Molyneux, B. (2010). An open source ILS glossary. Retrieved from http://blog.esilibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/ oss_ils_glossary_060220105.pdf

Contact InformationContact Information

• E-mail me: – bnemge AT gmail.com

• Blog for MLIS 7505:– http://brittanyemge.blogspot.com/

• E-mail me: – bnemge AT gmail.com

• Blog for MLIS 7505:– http://brittanyemge.blogspot.com/