TLC Welcomes the OWLSnet Consortium of Wisconsin
The Library Corporation (TLC) is excited to announce that OWLSnet, a public library consortium consisting of 29 libraries with 49 locations across two library systems in Northeast Wisconsin, has joined the CARL•X family.
OWLSnet provides a single integrated library automation system to member libraries in order to share resources and increase the effectiveness members have on their communities. With circulation totaling 3,312,838 in 2018, OWLSnet joins other large library systems using CARL•X. Web-based features in CARL•Connect Discovery and CARL•Connect Staff were especially appealing to the consortium.
According to Amanda Lee, OWLSnet Manager, “What most impressed us was how intuitive CARL•X seemed to be for staff to use and the progressive tools that allow them to interact with patrons and serve their needs. Features we were especially impressed by include the web-based staff client that will allow libraries to help patrons without being tied to a desk, an ILS that recognizes when it’s not connected to a server and initiates offline circ without disrupting workflows, and a system that makes use of existing cataloging standards and models such as RDA and FRBR that will allow our patrons and staff have a positive experience finding and discovering information and resources.”
The OWLSnet search committee included representatives from libraries and administration across the consortium with the mission of thoroughly evaluating vendors, focusing on user-friendly functionality and stewardship of financial and human resources. OWLSnet will benefit from TLC’s industry-leading hosting service provided by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.
“We’re getting a lot of bang for our buck with hosted service, a test database, and the opportunity to help develop a product that was designed specifically for public libraries,” stated Amanda Lee. The team was also impressed by the flexibility and power of CARL•X Reports. “There is very specific data we must report to the state, so TLC’s commitment to help us write reports to get the data we need was appealing. We very much appreciate the time they’re taking to understand our diverse needs during the design sessions.”
“TLC is very happy to welcome OWLSnet to our family of customers,” stated Annette Murphy, founder and CEO of TLC. “When TLC acquired CARL in 2000 it was important to us that we allow the team in Denver to continue to develop and evolve independently from our library management software platform, Library•Solution. We felt that consolidation would stifle innovation. It is exciting to see the work the CARL team has done with RDA and FRBR and I am so pleased that customers like OWLSnet will benefit from it.”
About The Library Corporation:
TLC has operated continuously under the same ownership since 1974 and employs over 200 people dedicated to delivering enterprise software and hardware solutions to public, school, academic, and special libraries worldwide. TLC’s cumulative products are deployed in more than 1,100 organizations, representing over 5,500 locations in North America. TLC is certified by the U.S. General Services Administration, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, and the Women Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program. TLC’s Headquarters is based in Inwood, W.Va., and has additional offices in Denver, Minnesota, and Singapore.
