Evergreen Software Makes Big Library News

Our issue of the Georgia Public Library Service News came the other day. The headlines were impressive: British Columbia follows Georgia's lead with 'BC PINES.' And I'm going to do a quote: The Evergreen software developed by Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) continues to gain steam as the software of choice for libraries seeking an open-source integrated library system (ILS). The Public Library Services Branch of the British Columbia Ministry of Education has announced that it will begin implementation of its own Evergreen-powered system in October. The network, (get this now!) based on Georgia's PINES model, will be called "BC PINES." In both cases, PINES is short for Public Information Network for Electronic Services. In its strategic plan announced in April, the Association of BC Public Library Directors stated: "We hope that eventually all public libraries in BC will join and that the vision of the 'Libraries Without Walls' Strategic Plan can be fully realized for the benefit of all." Dr. Lamar Veatch, Georgia State Librarian, said, "We are extremely pleased that British Columbia has chosen to follow Georgia's lead in adopting Evergreen as its new ILS. BC's decision is a monumental validation of Georgia's vision of a consortial, open-source ILS. We eagerly welcome our northern neighbors as full partners in the implementation and continued development of PINES and Evergreen to benefit millions of library users." I think it's impressive that Georgia is a front-runner in library services! And I love the idea of Libraries Without Walls! Makes all us library-people glow with pride!!! (Source: Georgia Public Library Service News, Vol. 5, Issue 1, August 2007)