NETLS collaborates with WTLS
The Northeast Texas Library System (NETLS) is collaborating with the West Texas Library System (WTLS) to develop a competitive grant to establish a shared web-based library catalog for their respective libraries. The grant project will include 10 NETLS member libraries and 9 WTLS member libraries, 2 of which are college libraries. WTLS has already submitted a Tocker grant to help 14 small libraries move their library catalog.
The initial benefit to libraries participating in the project is cost sharing. Annual support and maintenance for a single library would be much higher than a shared catalog. Multiple libraries will share the annual cost and bibliographic records.
The automation system used by many smaller libraries does not provide web access to library users. Koha Zoom will provide that and allow users to request holds, renew items, make purchasing recommendations or check their account information from home. These features have been offered by larger libraries, but the automation software is usually too expensive for smaller libraries.
Participating NETLS libraries include Corsicana, Daingerfield, Ennis, Grand Saline, Honey Grove, Rowlett and Seven Points. Additional NETLS libraries will be added later in the project as funds permit.
TSLAC should announcement competitive awards this summer. If successful, the project will begin just after September 2009.
