[December 06, 2011]

Tennessee State Library and Archives Selects Auto-Graphics' AGent VERSO® to Deliver Statewide ILS

Auto-Graphics, Inc., providing library automation solutions for over 40 years, today announced that the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) has selected the AGent VERSO® Consortial Edition to provide a statewide integrated library system (ILS) to 100 libraries throughout Tennessee. AGent VERSO's Consortial Edition provides TSLA libraries with a superior level of technology that will advance the system of each of its members. Library staff will have the ability to define localized features and functions in the OPAC as well as develop library specific circulation, lending and borrowing policies. The patrons will have the ability to view and manage their library account, create reading lists, access eBooks, place holds and renew items online.

All libraries will receive the Circulation Interlibrary Loan Link (CILL) module, to extend the reach of each library's collection with enhanced and streamlined lending and borrowing capabilities. The CILL module is fully compliant with the NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol (NCIP) and is integrated with Tennessee's Interlibrary Loan (ILL) resource sharing system. This project will deliver what Auto-Graphics believes to be the largest ILS NCIP implementation in North America. This integration will allow AGent VERSO libraries to lend and borrow with members outside of the system including other NCIP libraries and ISO ILL systems such as OCLC. The CILL-enabled resource sharing workflow has been shown to reduce the borrowing or lending process by up to 50 percent, dramatically freeing up library staff time for other duties including assisting patrons.

"The funding for this project was made a reality by Tre Hargett, Tennessee's Secretary of State. His vision offered the flexibility to centralize and share library technology in a way that hasn't been done here before - making library resources more readily avilable to our communities," said Chuck Sherrill, State Librarian & Archivist at Tennessee State Library and Archives. "We anticipate that the efficiencies that will be gained with this new technology and the staff time savings that will be achieved by implementing CILL will allow our libraries to focus on what they do best - help the people in their neighborhoods. With this new ILS system patrons will have increased access to library collections, and we can share our resources through ILL much more readily."

TSLA libraries will have the ability to customize their local OPAC through AGent Iluminar®, Auto-Graphics' next generation user interface, with modifiable splash pages, a full range of easy-to-use widgets including - calendars, RSS feeds and social media links to Facebook (News - Alert) and Twitter. The system also provides an iTunes® style display for search results and book jacket display. Libraries will also benefit from iLib2Go™, Auto-Graphics' iPhone (News - Alert) application, allowing users to find, renew and place reserves on items as well as suggest items for their library to purchase.

"The Tennessee State Library and Archives is leading the charge for progressive library systems by providing technology based library solutions that will increase access to resources for the residents of Tennessee. We are pleased that the state of Tennessee has opted to implement this system via the SaaS (News - Alert) model, again validating the viability of SaaS delivery for large scale ILS systems. Auto-Graphics has been delivering software and services via a SaaS model since the 1970s," pointed out Albert Flores, vice president of sales and marketing for Auto-Graphics. "We have always felt our customers need to have the latest version of the system; via support, maintenance and general releases and that there should never be an upgrade fee or data migration fee for a new release. SaaS allows us to address software releases more effectively and reduces local staff involvement down to a minimum. To address the concern of many library staff regarding data security and privacy, we use private data hosting and delivery facilities, so libraries know exactly where their data is at all times."

To read more about how your library can benefit from CILL, visit www.auto-graphics.com to download the white paper Determining Staff Cost Savings Using the NCIP Calculator authored by Mary E. Jackson and view Auto-Graphics' NCIP Savings Calculators.

About Auto-Graphics, Inc.

Founded in 1950, Auto-Graphics has been a technology innovator for more than six decades, providing data automation solutions to customers across multiple industries. For over 40 years, Auto-Graphics has helped libraries of all sizes become more efficient and patron-centric. The AGent integrated product suite - currently used by more than 5,500 libraries in North America - is comprised of AGent Iluminar® a next generation patron user interface; AGent VERSO® an integrated library system; AGent Resource Sharing® an interlibrary loan and consortial borrowing solution; and AGent Search™ a federated search module. AGent products are fully compliant with ISO and NISO standards, and are available via the Software as a Service (SaaS) hosted delivery model. For more information, please visit www.auto-graphics.com.

© Auto-Graphics, Inc. All rights reserved. AGent, AGent VERSO and AGent Iluminar are trademarks of Auto-Graphics, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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