Catamount Library Network

The Catamount Library Network (CLN) is a consortium of public libraries in the U.S. State of Vermont. It provides a unified library catalog using the open source, Koha integrated library system.

Catamount Library Network
Logo of the Catamount Library Network
AbbreviationCLN
PurposeLibrary Consortium
ServicesUnified library catalog & Library resource sharing
President
Lynne Fonteneau-McCann
Vice President
Mary Kasamatsu
Secretary
Holly Hall
Treasurer
Jill Tofferi
Lynne Fonteneau-McCann, Holly Hall, Deb Higgins, Mary Kasamatsu, Jill Tofferi[1]
Websitehttp://www.catamountlibraries.org

Organization

The Catamount Library Network[2] is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization, governed by a 5-member board, chosen by a council composed of one representative from each member library, and officers (president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer), chosen by the board. The council also sets the CLN's annual budget and membership fees, and approves any bylaw changes.[3]

In addition, two groups have been established with representatives from each library, to address, respectively, cataloging and circulation & loans issues arising within the CLN.

History and current status

The development and planning of The Catamount Library Network (CLN) began in 2010 with an initial 5 member libraries, with seed money, initial consultation, and support provided by the Vermont Department of Libraries.[4] The Department of Libraries withdrew most of its assistance over several months in 2015.[5]

The primary motivation for forming the organization was cost savings from switching from proprietary to open source software, and by having one shared system (as opposed to each library maintaining, and paying for, its own separate system). Additionally, a unified catalog allows easier resource sharing between libraries.

Initially, the CLN planned to use the Evergreen Integrated Library System,[6] but later selected Koha as its ILS.

The first 5 libraries switched to the new system in the spring and summer of 2013. An additional 12 libraries have since joined the organization, 9 of which, have added their holdings to the unified catalog. 3 other libraries are currently in various stages of preparation.

One library, Lawrence Memorial Library in Bristol, VT initially joined,[7] but left before being added to the consortium's catalog. It has since joined VOKAL instead. As a result of concern over unrecovered transition costs from Lawrence Memorial leaving CLN, the board voted on September 22, 2014, to require new members to pay a non-refundable deposit of $350(US).[8]

The CLN continues to seek additional members.

Database hosting

The Catamount Library Network's common Koha database and software are hosted by ByWater Solutions.[9]

VOKAL (The Vermont Organization of Koha Automated Libraries)

There is currently one other unified public library catalog in Vermont—VOKAL (The Vermont Organization of Koha Automated Libraries), established by the Green Mountain Library Consortium, and (like CLN), hosted by ByWater Solutions.[10][11][12]

CLN Member libraries (current and former)
LibraryWebsiteLocationTime the library was, or will be, added to joint CLN catalog
Founding members
Brooks Memorial Libraryhttp://brookslibraryvt.orgBrattleboro, VTadded May, 2013
Fletcher Memorial Libraryhttp://www.fmlnews.orgLudlow, VTadded September, 2013
Rutland Free Libraryhttp://rutlandfree.orgRutland, VTadded September, 2013
Springfield Town Libraryhttp://www.springfieldtownlibrary.orgSpringfield, VTadded July, 2013
Waterbury Public Libraryhttp://waterburypubliclibrary.comWaterbury, VTadded July, 2013
New members added to the system (currently part of the joint catalog)
Ainsworth Public Libraryhttp://ainsworthpubliclibrary.wordpress.comWilliamstown, VTadded May 2015[13]
Bennington Free Libraryhttp://benningtonfreelibrary.orgBennington, VTadded January, 2014
Deborah Rawson Memorial Libraryhttp://www.drml.orgJericho, VTadded October, 2014
Guilford Free Libraryhttp://homepages.sover.net/~wilken/guilfordlibrary/Guilford, VTadded September, 2015
John G. McCullough Free Libraryhttps://mcculloughlibrary.org/North Bennington, VTadded March, 2017
Morristown Centennial Libraryhttp://centenniallibrary.orgMorristown, VTadded September, 2014
Norman Williams Public Libraryhttp://normanwilliams.org/Woodstock, VT
Royalton Memorial Libraryhttp://www.royaltonlibrary.orgSouth Royalton, VTadded December, 2014
Starksboro Public Libraryhttp://starksborolibrary.wordpress.comStarksboro, VTadded January, 2015
West Rutland Public Library[14]http://westrutlandpubliclibrary.weebly.com/West Rutland, VT
Members currently in preparation (not yet part of the joint catalog)
H.F. Brigham Libraryhttps://hfbrighamlibrary.wordpress.com/Bakersfield, VT
Reading Public Library[15]http://readinglibrary.org/Reading, VT
Former members
Lawrence Memorial Libraryhttp://www.lawrencelibrary.net/Bristol, VTLeft CLN before being added to the catalog

References
  1. "CLN Board Meeting October 22, 2015" (PDF). Catamount Library Network. October 22, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  2. "Catamount Library Network". Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  3. "CATAMOUNT LIBRARY NETWORK, INCORPORATED BY-LAWS" (PDF). www.catamountlibraries.org. 1 December 2014. Archived from the original (.pdf) on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  4. "VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES: THE NEWSLETTER, vol. 4, no. 2, February 2013". archive.constantcontact.com. Catamount Library Network Moves Ahead. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  5. "CLN Board Meeting February 12, 2015" (.pdf). www.catamountlibraries.org. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  6. "Catamount Library Network Project Selects Evergreen". galecia.com. The Galecia Group. March 20, 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  7. Catamount Library Network. "Board Minutes--March 27, 2014 ("New Member Update" section)" (.pdf). www.catamountlibraries.org. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  8. "Minutes: CLN Board of Directors September 22, 2014" (.pdf). www.catamountlibraries.org. New Members: General Discussion. Retrieved 16 February 2015. New members will be required to furnish a non-refundable deposit of $350 with their application to CLN. This fee will be applied to the new member’s fee due upon “Go Live”. If the member with a signed CLN agreement withdraws, the fee will be used by CLN to off-set costs for the preparation of the new member.
  9. "First Three Catamount Libraries Go Live with ByWater Solutions' Koha Support". bywatersolutions.com. ByWater Solutions. 25 October 2013. Archived from the original on 26 October 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  10. "VOKAL/Koha Project". Green Mountain Library Consortium. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  11. "VOKAL VT Public". Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  12. Linda, Helen. "VOKAL, The Vermont Koha Project". The Vermont Library Association. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  13. "Minutes--CLN Board Meeting February 20, 2015" (.pdf). www.catatmountlibraries.org. Catamount Library Network. Retrieved 25 March 2015. Ainsworth Training: May 6 – 8 Go Live May 18th
  14. "CLN Board Meeting February 12, 2015" (.pdf). www.catamountlibraries.org. New Members. Retrieved 15 March 2015. Payment and signed membership agreement received from West Rutland.
  15. "CLN Board Meeting October 22, 2015" (PDF). Catamount Library Network. October 22, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
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