Message from CEO Gary Rautenstrauch

I hope your 2008 is off to a great start. The past few months have been especially busy and productive for us at SirsiDynix. Not only did we deliver SirsiDynix Symphony 3.2 on schedule in December, but we also released the following during December and January: SirsiDynix Horizon 7.4.1; SirsiDynix StaffWeb, a simplified, web-based client for SirsiDynix Symphony and Unicorn; and SirsiDynix Docutek ERes 5.3.04.

Delivering products on schedule is always important. But these recent on-time deliveries have been critical for SirsiDynix, as we demonstrate our renewed commitment to delivering what we promise and promising only what we can deliver.

So I've told you that we're delivering software. But is anyone buying it? Does SirsiDynix continue to be a strong business you can count on today and down the road?

The answer to both questions is yes. During 2007, we signed more than 250 contracts with new and existing customers to deliver a range of solutions, most prevalent of which were SirsiDynix Symphony, the SchoolRooms K-12 learning and discovery portal, SirsiDynix's world-class software-as-a-service (SaaS) hosting services, and the Web Reporter and Director's Station business intelligence tools for library managers. As a result, more than 4,000 library organizations around the globe partner with us for technology solutions - and that number continues to grow.

And with exciting product plans in place and important new initiatives underway, 2008 promises to be another very busy year for us around the world. I'll keep you posted on our progress during the coming months!

As always, thank you for being a SirsiDynix customer.

Regards,

240-library consortium chooses SirsiDynix Symphony

SirsiDynix, the global leader in strategic technology solutions for libraries, has been selected by the State Library of Tasmania which manages the Tasmanian Automated Library Information System (TALIS) Network to implement the SirsiDynix® Symphony Library Management System and a range of value-added solutions for enhancing the library user experience and library staff productivity.

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SirsiDynix Symphony 3.2 released on schedule

SirsiDynix Symphony 3.2, the library community's most open, evolutionary and customizable integrated library system was rolled out in December, just in time for its projected delivery date of late 2007. SirsiDynix Symphony 3.2 is already in successful production for two sites and is now available for both current and prospective customers, including SirsiDynix Horizon and Unicorn sites upgrading to the new system.

Read SirsiDynix Symphony 3.2 product information -->

SirsiDynix StaffWeb now available

SirsiDynix StaffWeb for K-12 Libraries, a new, easy-to-use software solution that enables school librarians and media specialists to carry out primary circulation, cataloging, reporting and administration tasks and transactions using only a standard Web browser.

Make plans now for SuperConference!

Register today for SirsiDynix SuperConference 2008, sponsored by Unicorn Users Group International (UGGI) and SirsiDynix. Be sure to join your fellow users for the premier software users' event in the library community. What will you benefit from at SuperConference 2008?

A program for the users of SirsiDynix software that is broader and deeper than ever - 100+ sessions to choose from
An Executive Conference that offers library leaders a perspective on how technologies
A great venue at the world-class Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
An outstanding opportunity to see the latest SirsiDynix solutions, as well as to talk with representatives from throughout SirsiDynix who can answer your questions
A chance to see 30+ third-party vendors who'll participate in the SuperConference Technology Partner Exhibition

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

As in years past, the excitement begins to mount long before the conference begins. Plans for the SirsiDynix SuperConference 2008, coming April 5-8, are in full swing. Early registration is open, so sign up now at www.superconference.info and take advantage of the reduced early registration fee. By moving around the site, you can not only register, but view other SuperConference-related information as well on lodging, transportation, dining, and attractions in the downtown Detroit area.

SirsiDynix Institute Executive Conference

The executive portion of SuperConference - The SirsiDynix Institute Executive Conference will be Saturday and Sunday April 5-6. This year's executive conference will be themed "Open Libraries". Join us for presentations from Semantic Studios' Peter Morville, librarian-trailblazers, Lee Rainie of the Pew Internet and American Life Project, and SirsiDynix executives who will overview key open technologies.

Please make plans to join us for a great Executive Conference, which is held in conjunction with SirsiDynix SuperConference 2008. The Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center offers great lodging at an affordable rate, world-class conference facilities, and convenience to lots of dining and entertainment options in attractive downtown Detroit.

Click to see the full Executive Conference agenda, as well as more information on the SirsiDynix Institute. Register here for the Executive Conference today!

SirsiDynix Institute first quarter schedule underway

In keeping with the SirsiDynix Institute's mission to help grow the skills of library professionals, the SirsiDynix Institute will focus on "Open Libraries" in 2008. The theme centers on the "openness" that characterizes successful libraries - open partnerships, open approaches, open technologies, open dialog and open communities. Visit the SirsiDynix Institute website here.

Challenges to Innovation in Libraries

By Stephen Abram

In June, I participated on the keynote panel at the SLA Denver Conference where we considered this topic and, later that month; I participated in the second annual ALA LITA Great Debate panel at ALA in DC, "Are Libraries Innovative Enough?" (The podcast is on the LITA Web site, www.lita.org.)

I spent the week of Canada Day and Independence Day immersed in the issues of innovation in libraries. On July 4 I was a guest in Joe Jane's summer credit course he was teaching on transforming libraries at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Information Studies. And then, coincidentally (are there really any coincidences?), I met an old friend, Mike, for lunch and what was the topic? You guessed it, the innovation gap. Mike is a very talented and senior consultant and he's not from the world of libraries at all. He advises senior executives all over the globe and he and I asked ourselves, in a meandering conversation over Thai and Diet Coke™, the following questions:

Can organizations be truly innovative? Professions? Is the public sector different?
What allows good ideas and innovations to diffuse through our organizations?
What are the root causes or barriers to innovation?
Are there some solutions to this puzzle?

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2007-08 SirsiDynix ALA-APA award winners

The ALA-APA: the Organization for the Advancement of Library Employees (ALA-APA) is pleased to announce that Brian Keith, Library Human Resources Officer at the University of Florida Smathers Libraries, and Camilla B. Reid, Associate Director of the Augusta State University Reese Library, are the winners of the fourth annual SirsiDynix-ALA-APA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Promoting Salaries and Status for Library Workers.

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