10 - 2025 - Equinox Open Library Initiative

Equinox at the 2025 Evergreen Hack-A-Way

Atlanta, Ga., October 27, 2025: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to participate in the 2025 Evergreen Hack-A-Way, taking place in Columbia, Missouri from November 10, 2025 through November 12, 2025.

The Evergreen Hack-A-Way is held annually to allow for collaboration on upcoming features, bug fixing, and brainstorming. Full details about the 2025 Hack-A-Way, including the schedule and registration can be found here: https://wiki.evergreen-ils.org/doku.php?id=hack-a-way:hack-a-way-2025.

“We are eager to participate in the Evergreen Hack-A-Way each year,” said Mike Rylander, Research and Development Manager at Equinox. “Equinox is proud of the work that we complete alongside our partners in the Evergreen community, and we’re excited to see what amazing new features come out of this year’s Hack-A-Way.”

Equinox was founded by the original developers of Evergreen ILS, including Mike Rylander, Research and Development Manager, and Jason Etheridge, Senior Developer at Equinox. Learn more about the history of Evergreen ILS at: https://evergreen-ils.org/about-us/

“The best ideas always materialize when we’re all together,” said Galen Charlton, Implementation and IT Manager at Equinox. “The Hack-A-Way makes this possible. It provides a venue to reconnect with librarians and developers using Evergreen, something we value highly as a part of our work. We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the Hack-A-Way in Columbia!”

Follow Equinox Open Library Initiative on Bluesky @equinoxOLI.org, Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

To receive news directly in your inbox: https://www.equinoxOLI.org/#signup

For more information:
Laura Barry
Communications Coordinator
Equinox Open Library Initiative
EquinoxOLI.org
laura.barry@equinoxOLI.org
877.OPEN.ILS (877.673.6457)

About Equinox Open Library Initiative
Equinox Open Library Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is the successor to Equinox Software, Inc. Equinox’s mission as a nonprofit is to promote and support a thriving ecosystem for open source library communities in order to provide libraries worldwide with innovative open source solutions. Equinox is devoted to reducing barriers to library technology and services, expanding library access to open source software, and providing high quality technology, consulting, and support services. To learn more, please visit https://www.equinoxOLI.org.

About Evergreen
Evergreen Integrated Library System is an award winning and trusted library solution used by more than 1,800 libraries worldwide. Evergreen ILS is a web-based and mobile-friendly system which provides attractive, easy to use interfaces for library acquisitions, administration, cataloging, circulation, OPAC, reports, course reserves, and serials functionality.

Evergreen ILS is an enterprise level system designed to manage a scalable catalog shared across libraries, including large public and academic library consortia. While designed for large collections, Evergreen is suitable for libraries of any size and type from government to museum and special collection libraries. Its flexibility enables libraries to configure policies and settings that work best for their communities and to maintain ownership of their library and systems data.

For more information on Evergreen: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/evergreen/.

Equinox Announces 2025 Q3 Project Contributions to Evergreen ILS

Atlanta, Ga., October 22, 2025: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce new development and other community contributions completed in Q3 of 2025 for Evergreen ILS.

Equinox staff are an active part of the anticipated fall 2025 Evergreen 3.16 release including Galen Charlton, Implementation and IT Manager at Equinox, who is serving as Release Manager. Equinox staff also served on maintenance release teams for Evergreen including Galen Charlton (3.14.10, 3.15.5) and Andrea Buntz Neiman, Project Manager for Software Development at Equinox, (3.14.9, 3.15.4, 3.15.3, 3.14.8). These updates can be viewed at: https://evergreen-ils.org/egdownloads/.

Recent projects for Evergreen have included contributions to the Evergreen OPAC search results and the holds table. The last quarter also included an accessibility review for headings, landmarks, labels, and layout within the OPAC. In the enhanced MARC editor of Evergreen, design updates have been made to the dark mode improving color contrast.

Equinox also provided several new Angular interfaces, including for the Item Status, Item Alerts Types, and the Acquisitions Patron Requests interfaces. In addition, progress continues on the Quipu integration and the Quipu eRENEW feature in the third quarter.

“We are looking forward to the Evergreen 3.16 release in November,” said Andrea Buntz Neiman, Project Manager for Software Development at Equinox. “Equinox is proud to partner with the Evergreen community to make the software more accessible, and we are grateful to our partners who continue to bring wishlist features to each release.”

Follow Equinox Open Library Initiative on Bluesky @equinoxOLI.org, Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

To receive news directly in your inbox: https://www.equinoxOLI.org/#signup

For more information:
Laura Barry
Communications Coordinator
Equinox Open Library Initiative
EquinoxOLI.org
laura.barry@equinoxOLI.org
877.OPEN.ILS (877.673.6457)

About Equinox Open Library Initiative
Equinox Open Library Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is the successor to Equinox Software, Inc. Equinox’s mission as a nonprofit is to promote and support a thriving ecosystem for open source library communities in order to provide libraries worldwide with innovative open source solutions. Equinox is devoted to reducing barriers to library technology and services, expanding library access to open source software, and providing high quality technology, consulting, and support services. To learn more, please visit https://www.equinoxOLI.org.

About Evergreen
Evergreen Integrated Library System is an award winning and trusted library solution used by more than 1,800 libraries worldwide. Evergreen ILS is a web-based and mobile-friendly system which provides attractive, easy to use interfaces for library acquisitions, administration, cataloging, circulation, OPAC, reports, course reserves, and serials functionality.

Evergreen ILS is an enterprise level system designed to manage a scalable catalog shared across libraries, including large public and academic library consortia. While designed for large collections, Evergreen is suitable for libraries of any size and type from government to museum and special collection libraries. Its flexibility enables libraries to configure policies and settings that work best for their communities and to maintain ownership of their library and systems data.

For more information on Evergreen: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/evergreen/.

Equinox Welcomes Estacado Library Information Network to Koha ILS and Aspen Discovery

Atlanta, Ga., October 13, 2025: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce that the Estacado Library Information Network (ELIN) has joined the Koha and Aspen Discovery communities with Equinox hosting and support. Equinox provided implementation services and training for ELIN’s migration to Koha and Aspen Discovery and will continue to host and support both systems.

“We have appreciated the support and help we received from Equinox during our migration to Koha,” said Nichole Lawless, Library Director for the City of Hobbs. “The Equinox migration team has been able to guide us as a consortium and as individual libraries. Our staff prefer Koha and patrons love the vibrant and intuitive interface in Aspen Discovery; especially now that they are able to view our digital offerings from our catalog.”

ELIN was founded in 1997 and comprises five libraries in southeastern New Mexico: Hobbs Public Library, Lovington Public Library, Pannell Library, Woolworth Community Library, and Eunice Public Library. To learn more about ELIN, visit: http://www.elinlib.org/.

“Koha and Aspen Discovery complement each other and provide an integrated solution for libraries,” said Rogan Hamby, Data and Project Manager at Equinox. “We are excited for the Estacado Library Information Network’s community as Koha and Aspen Discovery both offer excellent features and provide increased accessibility and usability for patrons.”

Equinox’s Aspen Discovery services received the highest usability ranking according to the Library Technology Guides 2025 Library Perceptions Survey. The full survey is available on the Library Technology Guides website: https://librarytechnology.org/perceptions/2024/.

Follow Equinox Open Library Initiative on Bluesky @equinoxOLI.org, Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

To receive news directly in your inbox: https://www.equinoxOLI.org/#signup

For more information:
Laura Barry
Communications Coordinator
Equinox Open Library Initiative
EquinoxOLI.org
laura.barry@equinoxOLI.org
877.OPEN.ILS (877.673.6457)

About Equinox Open Library Initiative
Equinox Open Library Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is the successor to Equinox Software, Inc. Equinox’s mission as a nonprofit is to promote and support a thriving ecosystem for open source library communities in order to provide libraries worldwide with innovative open source solutions. Equinox is devoted to reducing barriers to library technology and services, expanding library access to open source software, and providing high quality technology, consulting, and support services. To learn more, please visit https://www.equinoxOLI.org.

About Koha ILS
Created in 1999 by Katipo Communications for the Horowhenua Library Trust in New Zealand, Koha Integrated Library System is the first open source Integrated Library System to be used worldwide. For more information on Koha: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/koha/.

About Aspen Discovery
Aspen Discovery is an open source discovery layer that powerfully gathers all of a library’s resources together into a single search. Aspen Discovery provides comprehensive access to the entirety of a library’s holdings, pulling in data from the ILS and licensed databases. For more information on Aspen Discovery: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/aspen-discovery/.

Equinox Partners with Unique Management Services to Launch MessageBee SMS for the Westchester Library System

Atlanta, Ga., October 6, 2025: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce that the Westchester Library System is live on MessageBee SMS through a partnership between Equinox and Unique Management Services.

“Implementing MessageBee SMS has provided a huge improvement in service to our patrons,” said Lindsay Stratton, Integrated Library System Administrator and Systems Librarian at Westchester Library System. “Equinox’s assistance in the implementation was invaluable, managing all the necessary ILS configurations and coordinating with Unique for a seamless transition. Our patrons are reliably getting text messages, our front line staff are fielding fewer complaints, and our systems staff are happy that the messages are being delivered using modern and secure protocols.”

Westchester Library System provides administrative and technology support to 38 member libraries in Westchester County, New York, through shared ILS management, shared digital resources, cataloging assistance, training, and outreach programs. Westchester Library System was one of 23 public library systems established in 1958 by State Education Law.

“The most satisfying part of launching MessageBee SMS with Unique has been knowing that we are helping to improve library services,” said Rogan Hamby, Data and Project Manager at Equinox. “We are happy to continue to play a part in supporting the Westchester Library System in serving their community.”

Follow Equinox Open Library Initiative on Bluesky @equinoxOLI.org, Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

To receive news directly in your inbox: https://www.equinoxOLI.org/#signup

For more information:
Laura Barry
Communications Coordinator
Equinox Open Library Initiative
EquinoxOLI.org
laura.barry@equinoxOLI.org
877.OPEN.ILS (877.673.6457)

About Equinox Open Library Initiative
Equinox Open Library Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is the successor to Equinox Software, Inc. Equinox’s mission as a nonprofit is to promote and support a thriving ecosystem for open source library communities in order to provide libraries worldwide with innovative open source solutions. Equinox is devoted to reducing barriers to library technology and services, expanding library access to open source software, and providing high quality technology, consulting, and support services. To learn more, please visit https://www.equinoxOLI.org.

About Unique Management Services
Unique Management Services has specialized in helping libraries with a wide array of communication processes since 1996. From incoming customer service to outgoing email, voice, and text messaging, Unique Management Services delivers millions of communications each month for libraries across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.uniquelibrary.com.

Equinox at the 2025 Pennsylvania Library Association Conference

Atlanta, Ga., October 1, 2025: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, will be exhibiting at the 2025 Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) Conference in Erie, Pennsylvania, starting October 19, 2025 and running through October 22, 2025. Equinox will be available throughout the conference at Booth #37 to share information about Aspen Discovery, Evergreen ILS, Koha ILS, and more.

Equinox proudly supports Pennsylvania libraries and provides a variety of services for libraries and nonprofit organizations across the state. Equinox hosts Evergreen ILS and Aspen Discovery for the Pennsylvania Integrated Library System (PaILS), a large and growing consortium of more than 200 library locations, and serving approximately 1.6 million patrons with a collection of almost 2 million titles. Equinox hosts Koha ILS for the Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collection Libraries (PACSCL). PACSCL is a consortium of special libraries with rare and diverse collections that focus on art, literature, history, science, and more. Equinox also provides VuFind® consulting services for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

“We are proud to collaborate with and support libraries across Pennsylvania,” said Galen Charlton, Implementation and IT Manager at Equinox. “We are looking forward to highlighting how Evergreen, Koha, Aspen Discovery, and VuFind® have increased access to library resources in the Keystone State.”

PaLA’s conference is an annual networking and brainstorming event for libraries in Pennsylvania. This year’s theme is “Raising Library Spirits – Uplifting the Future!” The full conference schedule can be found here: https://www.palibraries.org/annual-conference/.

Follow Equinox Open Library Initiative on Bluesky @equinoxOLI.org, Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

To receive news directly in your inbox: https://www.equinoxOLI.org/#signup

For more information:
Laura Barry
Communications Coordinator
Equinox Open Library Initiative
EquinoxOLI.org
laura.barry@equinoxOLI.org
877.OPEN.ILS (877.673.6457)

About Equinox Open Library Initiative
Equinox Open Library Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is the successor to Equinox Software, Inc. Equinox’s mission as a nonprofit is to promote and support a thriving ecosystem for open source library communities in order to provide libraries worldwide with innovative open source solutions. Equinox is devoted to reducing barriers to library technology and services, expanding library access to open source software, and providing high quality technology, consulting, and support services. To learn more, please visit https://www.equinoxOLI.org.

About Evergreen
Evergreen Integrated Library System is an award winning and trusted library solution used by more than 1,800 libraries worldwide. Evergreen ILS is a web-based and mobile-friendly system which provides attractive, easy to use interfaces for library acquisitions, administration, cataloging, circulation, OPAC, reports, course reserves, and serials functionality.

Evergreen ILS is an enterprise level system designed to manage a scalable catalog shared across libraries, including large public and academic library consortia. While designed for large collections, Evergreen is suitable for libraries of any size and type from government to museum and special collection libraries. Its flexibility enables libraries to configure policies and settings that work best for their communities and to maintain ownership of their library and systems data.

For more information on Evergreen: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/evergreen/.

About Koha ILS
Created in 1999 by Katipo Communications for the Horowhenua Library Trust in New Zealand, Koha Integrated Library System is the first open source Integrated Library System to be used worldwide. For more information on Koha: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/koha/.

About CORAL ERM
CORAL is an electronic resources management system consisting of interoperable modules designed around the core components of managing electronic resources for libraries and other organizations. For more information on CORAL: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/coral/.

About Fulfillment
Fulfillment is an open source interlibrary loan management system which leverages intuitive design and efficient workflows to maximize value and impact for libraries. Fulfillment provides community members expanded access to library resources across their state and beyond their consortium. For more information on Fulfillment: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/fulfillment/.

About Aspen Discovery
Aspen Discovery is an open source discovery layer that powerfully gathers all of a library’s resources together into a single search. Aspen Discovery provides comprehensive access to the entirety of a library’s holdings, pulling in data from the ILS and licensed databases. For more information on Aspen Discovery: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/aspen-discovery/.

About VuFindⓇ
VuFindⓇ is an open source discovery product for libraries and archives developed and maintained by Villanova University’s Falvey Memorial Library. VuFindⓇ enables library users to discover the entirety of libraries’ collections, including catalog records, journals, digital items, and more. VuFindⓇ is open source and customizable—the interface may be configured to best meet users’ needs. For more information on VuFindⓇ: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/vufind/.

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