Hoosier experience

[Joel Robinson]

Comments during a local Indiana library district Board meeting in response to their state wide Open ILS initiative:

"On another matter, the board shared Baugher’s lack of enthusiasm for optional participation in a new Indiana State Library initiative aimed at having all Hoosier public libraries use the same automation system. Evergreen is ISL’s choice; WPL uses Polaris.

Baugher said in his opinion, Evergreen “would be a great leap backwards” for WPL and larger libraries.

Board member John Corso said Evergreen would be helpful for small libraries but lacking the serials control and acquisition modules WPL now uses, Evergreen wouldn’t enhance WPL’s system. According to Nash, “It’s going to dumb it down.” Agreed board president Rick Hokanson, “Why don’t we turn off the electricity and use candles?”

Last year there was a push downstate by some lawmakers to consolidate public libraries into county or multi-county systems. Baugher said some fear the move toward statewide automation standardization would help fan the consolidation flames again."

Notes:
"Baugher" is the 30-year director.
"WPL" is Westchester Public Library.
Article URL: http://chestertontribune.com/Library/591%20library_to_curb_spending_in_wake.htm