Hanover, NH--In a technology move designed to cut taxpayer costs, Howe Library is pleased to announce it has moved its entire bibliographic catalog and circulation system to Evergreen, an open-source integrated library system used by hundreds of libraries nationwide and in Canada. Moving to Evergreen will save considerable taxpayer dollars, primarily in annual service fees and upgrades.
According to Howe Library Director Mary White, the library has used a proprietary integrated library system since 1995. "While it's one of the best automated systems available, it's also very expensive to maintain and upgrade so we decided to look at alternative options.” The result of that comprehensive investigation, headed by Head of Technical Services and Systems Librarian Pamela Smith, was the choice to go with Evergreen.
Evergreen is a library-specific open-source software program developed by the Georgia Public Library Services that allows users to study, change, and improve the software as it is being used. Open-source software is often developed in a public, collaborative manner, and Evergreen is no exception. "Because Evergreen is created collaboratively," says Systems Librarian Smith, "new features and upgrades, such as enhancing the catalog, are free to participating libraries" and maintenance is far less expensive. Library Director White estimates that the cost of maintaining the open-source system will save the library--and the town of Hanover taxpayers--almost 70% in annual maintenance costs compared to Howe Library's former system.
The library chose Equinox Software for data migration as well as for annual maintenance and hosting. Galen Charlton, Vice-President for Data Services at Equinox states, “It has been a true pleasure working with a group of librarians committed to open-source to implement Evergreen, and I am pleased to see the broad interest in open-source integrated library systems across New England. We at Equinox look forward to continuing to work with Howe Library and know that they will be strong members of the Evergreen community.”
Howe Library patrons will enjoy some new features with the Evergreen system, such as creating private lists of books they have read or want to read. Patrons will also have more flexibility and control over their bibliographic searches with the new system, including setting account preferences to search their home library only or both Howe and Etna libraries.
Howe is one of only three libraries in New Hampshire using an open-source option, and is the only library in New Hampshire to use Evergreen. "We hope other libraries in New Hampshire will follow our lead," says White. "It would be great to have other libraries create a consortium of users. Pooling resources helps all of us, and ultimately offers our patrons far more than any individual library can on its own."
For more information about Howe Library, please contact Mary White at 603-640-3251 or mary.h.white@thehowe.org.
Rapid Reviews: 30 Books in 30 Minutes:Our second annual
Rapid Reviews was presented at Hanover Area Rotary on June 9, 2010. Three Howe staff (Joan Ridgeway, Ellen Lynch, Mary White) and one Hanover resident (Carole Stashwick) reviewed a mix of new books, old books, fiction and non-fiction. This program will soon appear on CATV.
2010 list of titles
2009 list of titles
Howe Library hires three part-time staff:Our new circulation desk assistants will take over from Geraldine North and Joan Ridgeway who have given us many years of dedicated service. Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Howe team:
VIRGIL FULLER: Virgil is a 2009 graduate of Colby-Sawyer College. He volunteered a few months this fall at the Hartland (VT) Public Library before working 10 hours per week as a library assistant. Virgil hopes to obtain his MLS (possibly focusing on technology) and is a member of American Library Association, New England Library Association and Vermont Library Association.
LAURI BERKENKAMP: Lauri is a freelance writer and editor who has been a community volunteer on Howe's PR committee since 2007. It was Lauri who suggested that Howe apply for the
Best Small Library Award in 2007 and helped write the application. Lauri has taught writing at Lebanon College and Vermont College and was the marketing director for Nomad Press in Norwich, VT.
JEANETTE ABDELNUR-FADUL: Jeanette has volunteered at Howe since the fall and has lived in Hanover for many years. She was born and raised in Colombia and was an editorial assistant for Plumsock Mesoamerican Studies in South Woodstock, VT. She also works part-time as a Spanish interpreter.
Family Movie Collection: 
Are you looking for good movies the whole family can enjoy?
In a hurry and don't have time to search through our entire DVD collection for a movie to entertain the kiddos on a snow day?
We've got you covered!
Howe Library, with a generous gift from the Ives Family has established a Family Movie Collection.
Mary Ryan, Howe's movie, audio book and music librarian has selected and organized an excellent collection of both old favorites and newer movies. Family movies have the green label, shown above; the movies are rated G, PG or PG13. A few older movies have no rating as they are pre-rating releases. Movies rated PG & PG13 are clearly labeled for easy visiblity as you browse the shelves.
To highlight this new service, the Family Movie Collection is currently located across from the circulation desk.
Stop in for a family movie for the weekend, vacation week, anytime!
Howe librarian wins award:Pamela Soren Smith, Howe Library’s Head of Technical Services and Systems Librarian, has won the
2009 Award for Excellence which is presented by the
Reference and Adult Services Section (READS) of the New Hampshire Library Association. The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding contributions by an individual who has been instrumental in improving library services to adults.
Mango Languages online learning system:Mango Languages currently offers 12 language courses online -- Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Greek, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, ESL for Polish speakers, ESL for Spanish speakers, and ESL for Brazilian Portuguese speakers -- with more on the way. You can access Howe's Mango Languages anywhere you have an Internet connection -- at the library, at home or while traveling. Mango offers a fun and convenient way to learn languages by teaching actual conversation skills.
Mango Now! 
