Impact of Open Source Library Automation…
Indianapolis

SLIS faculty members Hsin-liang (Oliver) Chen and Barbara Albee have been selected as recipients of a 2010 OCLC/ALISE Library and Information Science Research Grant.

Title: Impact of Open Source Library Automation System on Public Library Users
CO-PI: Hsin-liang Chen and Barbara Albee

Abstract:
The purpose of this proposed project is to examine the implementation of the Evergreen Indiana project in Indiana public libraries and its impact on the libraries and their patrons. The investigators will conduct the project at eight selected public libraries: 1. Brazil Public Library, 2. Hamilton North Public Library, 3. Greenwood Public Library, 4. Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library, 5. Lebanon Public Library, 6. Mooresville Public Library, 7. Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library, and 8. Thorntown Public Library.

The research questions are: 1) Are library patrons at the eight Indiana public libraries using the open source library automation system since its implementation? 2) How do they use the system? 3) Do they change the way they utilize library services and resources after the implementation of an open source library automation system? 4) If so, what are their changes? 5)What are their expectations about the system since its implementation?

The expected significant outcomes of the project are: 1) Identifying what benefits library patrons receive from the implementation of the open source library automation system; 2) Identifying library patrons' interests in using the OPAC to discover shared library collections; and 3) Identifying whether the consortia library collections gain more usage by library patrons due to the implementation of the open source library automation system.

Grant: $14,250 (January-December, 2010)

• An additional grant has been awarded by the Indiana State Library (2010 LSTA Innovative Library Technology Sub-Grant) for $28,189 to support the same project. This second grant was entitled "Impact of the Evergreen Indiana Project on Public Libraries and Library Patrons." LSTA stands for Library Services and Technology Act. With this grant, two more public libraries will be added to the project increasing the total to ten.

Posted Jan. 22, 2010