So lately I've been playing catch-up here at the library, mostly with cataloging and other librarian-type jobs. But I've also been working behind the scenes, testing open source Integrated Library Systems (ILS), and talking to other vendors of ILS to determine what's best for us at this juncture. We've had the same ILS provider since 2002, and things aren't going as well as they should most of the time. Additionally, it doesn't work on Windows 7, Linux or Mac, so it really is nearing its end of life, along with Windows XP.

I've also built and deployed four new machines for public access, as the computers being replaced are eight years old and starting to show their age. They all have dual-core processors & 2 gigabytes of RAM, as well as an onboard Nvidia GeForce graphics chipset to handle any online games and most other games that a patron may bring in on a USB stick. Patrons are also able to view HD video content as well, which should cover future viewing options as more and more content online goes HD. It's just a little insurance, warranted by the fact that lots of camcorders and even some cell phones can do HD video. And besides, it's just a better user experience for our patrons.

One other thing I've been working pretty hard on is a presentation on how open source software use in libraries can help with cutting costs and reducing headaches. I know that open source software isn't for everybody, at least not yet. But with the right tools in place a library (or an individual, for that matter) can break free from vendor lock-in and ongoing costs of staying with that vendor. By ongoing costs, I am referring to annual licensing fees, hardware upgrades, productivity software purchases, and even software updates that many proprietary vendors charge. Since the IT industry changes so quickly and we are rolling into many of the scheduled "point releases" for the open source guys, I'm finding that this presentation is a work in progress. I will present at the KPLA Fall Conference at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, KY on September 17th.

I also plan to go to the Internet Librarian Conference in Monterey, CA, October 25th-27th. Being able to go to a conference that deals with both the Library and IT sides of my job is a great help in that I can stay on top of my job in both categories. I am very fortunate to be able to attend such events; lots of folks can't, and have to rely on others to pass on the information accurately and in a timely fashion. This is all well and good, but in order to maintain professional knowledge and viability in a rapidly-changing profession, we have to have that information as soon as it is available. Knowledge truly is power, and it is the enabler of sound decisions that shape the future of an organization.