11 - 2025 - Equinox Open Library Initiative

Equinox Announces New Deadline for the 2025 Equinox Open Source Grant

DEADLINE EXTENDED: The deadline for the Equinox Open Source Grant is now December 19, 2025.

Atlanta, Ga., November 20, 2025: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce that the deadline to apply for the Equinox Open Source Grant has been extended through December 19, 2025. Additional information is available at: https://bit.ly/EOSGrant.

Launched in 2019, the Equinox Open Source Grant provides implementation, training, hosting, and support services for Koha ILS to eligible libraries and institutions. The grant is offered to organizations with technological or financial challenges that make it difficult to obtain or maintain an integrated library system. The Equinox Open Source Grant is provided for an initial term of three years and can be renewed if the recipient continues to qualify for the grant. Information about Koha ILS and the offerings Equinox provides can be found here: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/koha.

“We have seen firsthand how the previous grants have empowered the recipient libraries,” said Felicia Beaudry, Business Development Manager at Equinox. “Koha’s modern features and stability fostered community engagement, innovation, and facilitated the expansion of services where it was needed most. We look forward to seeing how future grantees use this resource in their communities.”

The success of the Equinox Open Source Grant has been documented through the responses of past recipients and published in Equinox’s 2024 Year in Review. To read the full article please see: https://bit.ly/EquinoxYIR2024.

Follow Equinox Open Library Initiative on @equinoxOLI.org, Bluesky, 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/.

Equinox Partners with Backstage Library Works to offer Authority Control Services to the Traverse des Sioux Library System

Atlanta, Ga., November 19, 2025: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce that the Traverse des Sioux Library System is utilizing authority control services through Backstage Library Works.

Equinox partners with Backstage Library Works to make authority control simple for libraries. Services from Backstage Library Works include Basefile Authority Control, Current Cataloging and Authority Control Notification Services. Equinox manages record extracts and the retrieval and loading of updated records.

“Backstage works directly with Equinox to export and upload new records, and that has made a huge difference; saving me hours of work,” said Seth Erickson, Director of IT Systems for Traverse des Sioux Library System. “The implementation for Backstage was smooth, their staff were responsive and communicated with us every step of the way. I appreciate the friendliness and great customer service. I know that if I have a question I always have help.”

Traverse des Sioux Library System is a regional system of libraries in the south central region of Minnesota.

“Backstage Library Works makes authority control straightforward and simple,” said Rogan Hamby, Data and Project Manager at Equinox. “We are glad to help Traverse des Sioux Library System take advantage of our partnership with Backstage Library Works.”

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 Backstage Library Works
For over 35 years Backstage has helped libraries, archives, and museums preserve their history and create access to their collections. Through these many partnerships we have sharpened our expertise in providing solutions that meet your specifications, budget, and outcomes. We bring our experience to your collections, collaborating with you to create the best possible access, complimenting your existing collection as a partner by extending your resources and expertise. https://bslw.com/.

Equinox Welcomes the Grand Rapids Public Library to Sequoia Hosting for Evergreen ILS

Atlanta, Ga., November 10, 2025: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to welcome the Grand Rapids Public Library to Sequoia, Equinox’s premiere cloud-based hosting and support service. Grand Rapids Public Library migrated from a self-hosted Evergreen ILS to Sequoia with Equinox.

“When evaluating a shift from internal to external hosting, Equinox seemed like our best option to allow for a new structure that provided support,” said Ann Neff-Rohs, Director of Collections at the Grand Rapids Public Library. “We have been impressed by Equinox’s consistent dedication to helping us make key decisions and find solutions that meet our needs.”

Sequoia was developed by Equinox and provides hosting for library automation. More about Evergreen and Sequoia can be found at: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/evergreen/.

“The Grand Rapids Public Library was an early adopter of Evergreen,” said Bill Ott, Information Systems Manager at Grand Rapids Public Library, “In operation since 2008, we are one of the oldest self-hosted installations. Having benefited from the community-driven project for many years, we are happy to have it move home to now be hosted by Equinox.”

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 and Equinox at: https://www.equinoxoli.org/about/#History.

“Grand Rapids Public Library is taking advantage of one of the biggest benefits of open source: the flexibility of choice in the hosting of your system,” said Rogan Hamby, Data and Project Manager at Equinox. “We are glad to have Grand Rapids Public Library join the Evergreen community utilizing Sequoia.”

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 Ozark Regional Library to the Missouri Evergreen Consortium

Atlanta, Ga., November 3, 2025: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to welcome the Ozark Regional Library to the Missouri Evergreen Consortium.

“The support from Equinox during Ozark Regional Library’s migration to the Missouri Evergreen Consortium has been outstanding,” said Michelle Swane, Library Director at Ozark Regional Library. “Their team provided clearly defined support roles, tailored training for our system’s needs, and ensured a seamless transition with troubleshooting, continued training, and supplemental resources. We are grateful for their expertise and commitment, which made moving from a standalone Evergreen library to a consortium smooth and successful.”

Ozark Regional Library has provided library services to southeast Missouri for over seventy years, which allowed libraries in the region to share funding for collections and library programming. The Missouri Evergreen Consortium is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which began in 2012. Learn more at: http://moevergreenlibraries.org/.

“Migrations inherently require a lot of collaboration – it was a pleasure to work with Ozark Regional Library throughout this process,” said Rogan Hamby, Data and Project Manager at Equinox. “Evergreen, as an open source ILS, provides a lot of flexibility when it comes to choosing the level of support a library needs. We were happy to help Ozark Regional Library to become a part of the Missouri Evergreen Consortium.”

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/.

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