< BACK TO PRESS RELEASES

240 Library Consortium in Tasmania Goes Live with SirsiDynix Symphony

October 28th, 2009

PROVO, Utah, October 28, 2009 – SirsiDynix®, the global leader in library technology solutions, announces the successful implementation of the Symphony® Integrated Library System (ILS) for the TALIS network, the 240 public, school, college and government libraries that comprise the consortium of libraries in the Australian state of Tasmania. Over 260,000 clients can now connect to resources and information located in any of the libraries across the state through a single platform.

“The software replacement project took 16 months with a project team specifically dedicated to the task, and working with SirsiDynix. Their meticulous planning and testing was well-rewarded with an exceptionally smooth transition, allowing all libraries to move seamlessly to Symphony. The training given to over 850 staff members was a key factor in the successful implementation,” said Siobhan Gaskell, The State Library of Tasmania Director of the Community Knowledge Network, which drove the initiative. “The entire process was executed carefully every step of the way, and resulted in a launch that went off without a glitch. It truly speaks to the value of having an experienced team of professionals on your side, committed to your success.”

The complex implementation process for the Tasmanian Automated Library Information System began in May 2008, and culminated in a final migration supported by a team of SirsiDynix engineers and TALIS network administrators over a weekend last month. All 240 libraries were online and using Symphony when library doors opened on September 15. The 16 month process included extensive training for TALIS staff.

“With the implementation complete, the real fun can begin for TALIS libraries and their users,” said Rick Branham, SirsiDynix Vice President of Global Accounts and Alliances, who worked with the implementation team. “Symphony offers the libraries in Tasmania some unique tools for users, day-to-day library management and for long term planning, and we look forward to supporting the libraries in their future plans as they use SirsiDynix solutions to connect their communities.”

The TALIS network provides an integrated library management system and combined catalogue for all public libraries, the Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office, the State Reference Service and the Parliamentary Library as well as for the Academy, Polytechnic and Skills Institute libraries and the majority of government school libraries in Tasmania. The TALIS libraries represent SirsiDynix’s largest consortium customer.

“The State Library of Tasmania selected SirsiDynix for their 240-library network not only because of our technology, but also because our expertise is unmatched, which is critical for a massive and complex implementation such as theirs,” said Matthew Hawkins, SirsiDynix Chief Operating Officer. “Our experience and project management processes allowed us to plan and execute the necessary tasks to get the libraries online without any unexpected glitches. It is something we demand of our implementation teams at the launch of every project, and our success hinges on our ability to deliver successfully, on time and within budget.

We look forward to working with TALIS libraries as they use the SirsiDynix solutions to serve their communities.”

Symphony incorporates open, industry-standard technologies, offering libraries an expansive list of features and capabilities. These include an open n-tier architecture, software-as-a-service (SaaS) options, powerful search and discovery solutions, comprehensive integrated library management and productivity solutions, Java-based staff clients for all modules, fully documented application programming interfaces (APIs) that support unparalleled customizability and integration capabilities, Unicode support, advanced business intelligence and reporting tools, support for API, SIP2 and NCIP and embedded and full Oracle database support.

For more information about SirsiDynix Symphony or SaaS solutions, contact your SirsiDynix sales consultant or email sales@sirsidynix.com.

# # #

About SirsiDynix

SirsiDynix is the global leader in strategic technology solutions for libraries – vital institutions whose primary mission is to assist people in discovering and using knowledge, resources and other valuable content for their educations, jobs and entertainment. In concert with key industry partners, SirsiDynix supports this strategic role for libraries by offering a comprehensive integrated suite of technology solutions that improve the internal productivity of libraries and enhance their capacity to partner with their communities through the provision of state of the art library management systems (LMS) and search and discovery solutions. SirsiDynix serves approximately 4,000 libraries and consortia that provide services to over 300 million people through more than 20,000 library outlets in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. For more information, please see www.sirsidynix.com.

About TALIS

The Tasmanian Automated Library and Information System (TALIS) network is managed by the State Library of Tasmania and is a function of the Tasmanian Department of Education, a major agency of the state government of Tasmania. The Department of Education is responsible for the management of the state’s public schools and the State Library of Tasmania, incorporating public libraries, state archives, online access centres and adult education. The Department provides library automation and management services to 240 state, public, school TAFE (technical and further education) and special libraries though TALIS network.