The Swift Library Consortium
A model for a shared LMS
Lloyd Brady – Swift Systems Administrator
Consortium Origins
2004 – 4 Libraries develop an MOU to work
towards a shared LMS (Casey-Cardinia,
Eastern Regional,Yarra-Melbourne and
Wimmera)
 2005 – Municipal Association of Victoria
engaged as the legal agent, and the formal
governance structure established
 Dec 2005 – Tender process commenced
 2006 - SirsiDynix selected as successful bid,
and contract signed in August 2006
 March 2007 – First Libraries go live on the
shared LMS

Consortium Principles
Single LMS
 Common standards for, and sharing of,
Bibliographic records
 Items for loan to be available to any
patron of any Swift Library
 Library independence with regard to local
circulation policies
 Equal representation

Organisational Structure
Organisational Structure (cont.)

Management Committee/Operations
Committee
◦ Financial and Contractual matters
◦ Strategic direction and planning

User Group/Specialists
◦ Operational matters, incl. Operations Guide
and Global Policies
◦ Technical/Systems environment
Membership and Technical
Environment

26 Library Services (170+ branches)
◦ Victoria – 19 Public, 1 TAFE
◦ NSW – 6 Public
Separate LMS instances for Vic and NSW
 All systems hosted by SirsiDynix
 Multiple platforms/services:

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Symphony LMS
E-Library OPAC
Enterprise/Portfolio Discovery Layer
BookMyne mobile device app
eResource Central
Directors Station reports database
Third Party software and services:
◦ Envisionware PC-Res
◦ ChiliFresh Reviews
◦ Wavesound OneClick Digital e-audiobooks
Cooperative Environment
Sharing resources (Intra-Library Loans)
 Policy standards
 Consensus decision making
 Opportunities for other Consortium
services:

◦ E-Book subscriptions
◦ SMS services
◦ RFID standards
Benefits to Libraries
Common operating environment
 Standards and protocols
 Consortium prices
 Strong voice in software development

Benefits to Patrons



Improved access to collections
Seamless transactions for intra-library loans
Quality on-line services (eg OPAC, e-books)
in areas that may not have been able to
afford these previously Holds Placed
2000000
1800000
1600000
1400000
1200000
1000000
800000
600000
400000
200000
0
Holds Placed
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
The Future….
Shared patron database/One Card
 “Tomorrow’s Library”?

Questions?
lbrady@mav.asn.au