Evergreen, Koha, and Folio

There are many vendors that offer products and services to Canadian libraries that have similar product offerings. The information available online from each vendor can be compared and contrasted to identify their products and services.

Out of the many vendors that offer products and services to Canadian libraries, I chose vendors that offer integrated library systems and library services platforms. Some libraries have adopted open-source integrated systems or library services platforms that enable the automation of labour-intensive operations. These operations include functions such as acquisitions, cataloguing, circulations, serials control, and remote access to the library’s public access catalogue (Mohawk). Three vendors that offer services that aid in the previously mentioned library functions are Evergreen, Koha, and Folio. These three platforms can be used freely by libraries without having to pay any licensing fees (Mohawk).

Evergreen is an open-source, scalable integrated library system that features an online public access catalogue and staff client. Evergreen services offer features that include circulation, cataloguing, billing, reporting, acquisitions, and serials. Being open source means that Evergreen’s features are licensed to allow copyright holders to freely download, use, view, adapt, and improve their products. This also means that Evergreen’s features and supports are mostly driven by their products’ users. Evergreen’s features are configured to be buildable which means that their integrated library services are scalable. Scalable means that their library clientele can use one server bricks and add more when additional servers are needed. This allows Evergreen to have a range of clients starting from small libraries up to larger library organizations. In terms of technical support, Evergreen requires some experience to properly install and implement successfully. Evergreen has a strong and growing developer community that is dedicated to promoting a healthy, long-term, and sustainable community. There are also companies that offer Evergreen support, development, migration, and other services for their Evergreen installations. In terms of integration with other library vendor products, Evergreen products easily work with other products as compared to proprietary vendors. If difficulties arise, Evergreen hosts a Hack-A-Way training sessions to provide programming support in creating fully functioning codes (Evergreen ILS).

Koha, much like Evergreen, is an open-source integrated library system that features library-sponsored enhancements to their products for others to use, modify, and re-distribute. Koha offers LibLime Koha, LibLime Koha is a web-based hosting service that does not require software installations which means no servers are required in the libraries. In terms of technical support, upgrades, backups, and general system maintenance is managed by LibLime’s IT experts allowing the client library’s IT staff to focus on their library’s other projects. Koha’s effort in managing their product for their clients is different from Evergreen’s that give their clientele full control in the IT management of the product. Through the administration of systems preferences, Koha gives libraries the freedom to pick and choose from features that match their specific work needs (Koha). In terms of integration with other library vendor products, LibLime Koha seems to be capable of running smoothly without interrupting other library technologies and software. Mainly because LibLime Koha features their own IT development group that manages the system for their library clientele. Unlike Evergreen’s scalable and localized servers, Koha utilizes a web-based online platform that can hold a larger database.

Folio, like Evergreen and Koha, is an open-source integrated library system. Folio is hosted by the Open Library Foundation which is a not-for-profit organization that is designed to ensure the availability, accessibility, and sustainability of open source and open access projects for and by libraries. Folio aims to create a community where libraries can work together to innovate, converse, and consider needs and ambitions. At lower costs, Folio chose to utilize an open-source way to support library systems. Like Evergreen and Koha, Folio emphasizes the role and involvement of their library clientele in the improvement and development of their products. Also following suit to Evergreen and Koha’s customizable features, Folio provides choices for libraries to individualize their product into something that caters to their library’s work needs. Like Koha’s aspect of giving clients the control in choosing product features, Folio has an innate flexibility that allows their clients to choose to add or remove functions to meet their library’s workflow. In terms of integration with other library vendor products, Folio features a resource sharing functionality called Project ReShare where libraries can choose to add applications from other different vendor developments into their Folio product. This collaborative feature is one step ahead those offered by Evergreen and Koha which promote and work separately from other library system products. In terms of technical support, like Evergreen and Koha, Folio advertises commercial hosting and support that is available for their clients. Folio services include implementation, hosting, service, and support, and training (The Open Library Foundation).

Works Cited

Evergreen ILS. “Evergreen ILS - Evergreen - Open Source Library Software.” Evergreen ILS, Evergreen ILS, 2021, evergreen-ils.org/.

Koha. “Home - about LibLime Koha.” Koha.org, LibLime, 2021, koha.org/.

Mohawk College. "Lecture 1 – Contemporary Libraries", LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry. OntarioLearn. Summer 2021. Web. ontariolearn.desire2learn.com/d2l/le/content/41549/Home.

Mohawk College. "Lecture 3 – Types of Libraries", LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry. OntarioLearn. Summer 2021. Web. ontariolearn.desire2learn.com/d2l/le/content/41549/Home.

Mohawk College. "Lecture 4 – Professional Responsibility", LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry. OntarioLearn. Summer 2021. Web. ontariolearn.desire2learn.com/d2l/le/content/41549/Home.

Mohawk College. "Lecture 5 – Library Materials Pt. I", LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry. OntarioLearn. Summer 2021. Web. ontariolearn.desire2learn.com/d2l/le/content/41549/Home.

Mohawk College. "Lecture 6 – Library Materials Pt. II", LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry. OntarioLearn. Summer 2021. Web. ontariolearn.desire2learn.com/d2l/le/content/41549/Home.

Mohawk College. "Lecture 9 – Library and Information - Pt. I", LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry. OntarioLearn. Summer 2021. Web. ontariolearn.desire2learn.com/d2l/le/content/41549/Home.

Mohawk College. "Lecture 10 – Library and Information - Pt. II", LIBRLT110 Introduction to Libraries and the Information Industry. OntarioLearn. Summer 2021. Web. ontariolearn.desire2learn.com/d2l/le/content/41549/Home.

Online Computer Library Center. Dewey Summaries. OCLC, 2015, pp. 8-17, www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/dewey/ddc23-summaries.pdf.

Online Computer Library Center. “OCLC Classify -- an Experimental Classification Service.” oclc classify, 2021, www.classify.oclc.org/.

The Open Library Foundation. “FOLIO | Open Source Library Services Platform.” FOLIO | the Future of Libraries Is Open, The Open Library Foundation, 2019, www.folio.org/.

The Modern Language Association of America. MLA Handbook. 9th ed., New York, The Modern Language Association of America, 2021, mla.org/Bookstore-Orders.