Libraries are changing. Funding limits and customer demands are transforming staffing levels, service models, access to resources, and services to the public. Administrators and taxpayers are seeking more efficient ways of delivering services to achieve greater returns on financial investments. In this article, the author discusses the benefits of implementing Library 2.0 into the library system. The heart of Library 2.0 is user-centered change. It is a model for library service that encourages constant and purposeful change, inviting user participation in the creation of both the physical and the virtual services they want, supported by consistently evaluating services. Technological advances in the past several years have enabled libraries to create new services that before were not possible, such as virtual reference, personalized Online Public Access Catalog interfaces, or downloadable media that library customers can use in the comfort of their own homes. (Contains 23 online resources and 1 resource.)

The aim of this report is to provide an overview of the present state of development of integrated library systems (ILS) at the time of writing and to identify, describe and evaluate significant trends in the industry in relation to their context within the overall development of library services.

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Open-source ILS

This presentation was posted at EDUCAUSE in 2002. The evolving technologies committee is charged with identifying and monitoring evolving technologies and their impact on higher education institutions. This submission is on Integrated Library Systems.

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Evergreen site

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