ABOUT PAILS
PaILS is the Pennsylvania Integrated Library System (ILS), a non-profit corporation that oversees SPARK, the open source ILS developed by Evergreen.
PaILS is governed by a 9-member Board of Directors. The SPARK User Group members make recommendations and inform the Board of Directors.
A growing number of libraries large and small are PaILS members.
WHAT IS SPARK?
SPARK is the integrated library system used by PaILS members to manage their online public catalog as well as their library operations, including cataloging, circulation and acquisitions.
SPARK is an open source ILS developed by Evergreen. Evergreen is currently used by over 1,000 libraries both in the US and internationally, and has an active and growing community of developers and users. Evergreen is unique in that it was developed for libraries by librarians, and continues to be managed and developed by its users.
SPARK is a comprehensive cloud-hosted “one-price” solution. The staff client includes circulation, cataloging, serials and acquisitions functionality and the OPAC offers enhanced functionality found in the most expensive commercial discovery layers.
SPARK libraries are in the vanguard, demonstrating a collaborative alternative to the unsatisfactory way PA libraries traditionally access automation software. Their vision, effort and spirit of cooperation will be rewarded with long term benefits and satisfaction for libraries across the state.
SPARK pricing is aggressively competitive and currently offers zero migration fees through an LSTA Grant from the Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries.
HISTORY
With the guidance and financial support of the Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries, the Pennsylvania Integrated Library System, (PaILS) was founded in June 2011 as a non-profit organization to provide a collaborative, high quality, open source integrated library system that is equitable, cost-effective and promotes resource sharing among libraries statewide.
For more information and to contact PaILS, click http://SparkPA.org/
