[OPLINTECH] Open source state ILS, Evergreen project terminated

[Bob Neeper]

R. W. (Bob) Neeper     Cell: (740)-407-3572
Community Library
44 Burrer Dr.
Sunbury, Oh 43074
Tel:  (740)-965-3901

   I have not seen any mention of this, so am posting.

The State Library has abandoned the Evergreen project.

For background information, search for Evergreen at http://library.ohio.gov
There should be about 18 references
  "State Library Board Meeting Minutes September 2007" states the Board is 
committed to supporting funds toward the development of open source integrated 
library systems.
   "Holmes County Crosswalk" is a comparison to Horizon with  
Conclusions/Recommendations.

Tuesday August 24
The interested libraries attended a meeting held by 7 State Library members.
  We were shown all the potential costs for proceeding and told it could not be 
done.
Too much vendor cost for migration, support.
Other libraries didn't want it.
Too hard to use in certain areas.
Etc.

We were presented with the costs to join SEO as an option.

We then departed.
****

I personally believe a project (Evergreen, KOHA, etc.) should proceed, but done 
'in-house'.

Use the money given to ILS vendors (many if not all, out of state) to hire and 
administer s/w writers. buy equipment, etc.
There should be many capable people available from OSU, U of T, CASE, DeVry etc.
We certainly should find some knowledgeable in the needed disciplines.

Local Linux user groups may help or be a source of employees.

Nelsonville installed KOHA and the State of Georgia created Evergreen from scratch.
It is my understanding LibLime and Equinox were formed, after completion, by 
enterprising employees.

It would be a positive to present to OHIO when they consider library fund 
reductions.
  Shows the library community is proactive to help the state.
  More money remains in the state instead of flowing out to ILS vendors.
  The project might be (or become) self funded given the current individual 
library cost for ongoing s/w maintenance, periodic server upgrades & major s/w 
upgrades .
  As much money goes to the same vendor for the same upgrade the net cost to 
libraries should be lower.
  Instead of having hundreds of ILS servers all over the state only a few are 
required.
  These same servers would no longer need s/w upgrades or replacement.
  Slight improvement of Ohio job employment.
  Prestige for Ohio having a progressive unified library system. No more 
hodgepodge of individual ILS.
  Keeping up with the Jones (Indiana, Georgia, Michigan, Canada, etc.) so to speak.

Additionally
A large amount of grant money has already been spent.
SEO now has a server programed with Evergreen.
It is a shame to waste the money, time and effort with the only results, a spare 
server for SEO.
The State Library Board is publicly committed.

BTW   I learned at my previous employment.
Just finding  reasons something could not be done never got you very far.
Looking for all the ways to accomplish it is much better.

R. W. (Bob) Neeper