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Robert Ruthven, Information, Library and Archives Service Manager at Stirling Council says ( http://www.ptfs-europe.com/?p=988 ) "This open source solution offers a cost-effective way forward in sharing services at a time of unprecedented financial pressure on local authorities. The innate flexibility of the software and the rapid pace of development supported by library services across the globe will allow us to do so much more for less, enabling us to provide an enhanced, adaptable library and information service that meets the needs of our customers." The press release goes on to say : 'Stirling and East Dunbartonshire Councils have chosen the Evergreen open source library management system as a replacement for SirsiDynix Horizon. PTFS Europe are carrying out a full implementation and providing ongoing support. The system will be hosted at the PTFS Europe data centre in Maidenhead and is the first Evergreen installation in the UK'. _______________________________________________________ The pace of adoption of open source library systems seems to be quickening with public libraries just ahead of Higher Education at the moment -at least in terms of the LMS. Most general (i.e. non library) studies of the business case for open source solutions still seem to put lower cost as the prime reason but innovation is also getting more widely cited. It seems that these themes have been picked up in the world of *library systems* by Stirling libraries. In addition this first time UK implementation of Evergreen---developed in particular for consortia-shared services--- is notable. There is more information on open source solutions for public libraries on the Local Government Library Technology (LGLibTech) website (wiki) http://lglibtech.wikispaces.com/Open+Source+Library+Systems+in+the+UK Ken Ken Chad Consulting Ltd Tel +44 (0)7788 727 845. Email: <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] <http://www.kenchadconsulting.com/> www.kenchadconsulting.com Skype: kenchadconsulting Twitter: @KenChad Open Library Systems Specifications: <http://libtechrfp.wikispaces.com/> http://libtechrfp.wikispaces.com