Stirling and East Dunbartonshire Councils choose Evergreen open source library management system

London, 16th February 2011
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.
Evergreen Library Management System
Evergreen was launched in September, 2006 in the State of Georgia’s PINES consortium, it now powers many hundreds of libraries of every type — public, academic, special, and school libraries — in many countries throughout the world. Evergreen is highly scalable and has an active community that participates in all aspects of its development.
Evergreen supports all core modules; acquisitions, circulation, cataloguing, serials and reports, as well as providing an excellent OPAC capable of searching across a consortium or individual libraries.
Working with PTFS Europe provides Stirling and East Dunbartonshire Councils with the freedom and functionality of open source software together with the benefits of first class customer support.
Robert Ruthven, Information, Library and Archives Service Manager at Stirling Council said “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.”
About Stirling Council Library Service
Stirling Council Information, Libraries & Archives provides library services to 88,740 residents via 16 community libraries, 2 mobile libraries, Outreach Services and Young Peoples’ Services. Stirling is a rural authority of 848 square miles with an average population density of 104 persons per square mile, therefore many users are not within easy reach of a community library.

The SirsiDynix Horizon Library Management System is currently used. Other products which link to the library management system are the Insight ICAM PC Booking System, RFID self-issue systems provided by Intellident and Bibliotecha and the BlueSocket WiFi Management System. Library members are offered on-line resources such as NewsUk, KnowUk and Britannica Online as well as downloadable audiobooks from WF Howes. Stirling is the only library authority in Scotland to offer wifi access in all community libraries. Currently the library service is exploring e-books provision and plans greater use of Web 2.0 technology to deliver more tailored services to users. Non-members can join on-line and gain instant access to our catalogue and online services. The move to Evergreen gives us the opportunity to increase services we offer to our users and to work more closely with other library authorities such as East Dunbartonshire.
Mark Grant, Leisure and Cultural Services Manager, at East Dunbartonshire Council said “Co-operating with Stirling Council through the use of this open source solution offers a practical demonstration of the way in which sharing resources can be mutually beneficial, providing a first class service to the public while reducing costs substantially at a time when all local authorities are facing significant financial challenges. Using software with built-in flexibility will enable us to develop our services whilst keeping costs under control, enabling us to meet the changing needs of the users of our service.”
About East Dunbartonshire Council Library Service
East Dunbartonshire Council has 8 libraries with a stock of 234,480 items, 22,251 active members and annual issues of 556,525. These 8 libraries serve a population of 105,460. East Dunbartonshire covers 77 square miles, and the population density is 1,369 people per square mile. There are four major towns in East Dunbartonshire: Bearsden, Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch and Milngavie, and a number of smaller communities, including some remote communities in the Campsie Fells.
The SirsiDynix Horizon Library Management System is currently used. Other products in use in East Dunbartonshire Libraries include the iCam Booking system, and downloadable audio-books provided by WF Howes. Library members are offered online resources such as KnowUK, NewsUK, Britannica Online, and through the online catalogue, requests and renewal services.
Keith Shell, Business Development Manager at PTFS Europe said “We would like to thank the teams at Stirling and East Dunbartonshire Councils for showing the vision and initiative for making this decision to implement the Evergreen system. The tough economic climate that we all face is proving to be a catalyst for change as libraries seek to reduce cost and deliver improved efficiency. The present climate is also encouraging libraries to consider a shared service approach by establishing consortia. This allows participating authorities to benefit from a combination of excellent software functionality and the ability to significantly reduce costs.”