NELINET Launches New Web Site Using Open Source Platform

SOUTHBOROUGH, MA, November 13, 2008 – For the past few years NELINET, a non-profit library consortium serving New England, has been championing the benefits of open source software to the library community. The rise of interest in open source solutions in the library world reflects the needs of many organizations to easily develop customized and cost effective solutions for everything from integrated library systems to web sites.

NELINET is truly committed to the open-source movement. To underscore this commitment, NELINET just launched its new web site (www.nelinet.net) powered by the Drupal, the open source Web 2.0 content management/portal system. NELINET Executive Director Arnold Hirshon is excited for what the future of open source offers for libraries. “By developing our new website with Drupal, we are able to show our members the possibilities of what you can do with open source software – even those who have limited resources – and advance a key strategic objective of providing our members with technologies that enable them to work together as a community and exchange ideas.”

While the Drupal platform will provide ease with respect to flexibility and customization, more importantly the new website will allow NELINET to provide dynamic interactive communities through the website’s Interest Zones including, “Accidental Webmasters,” “Planning, Assessment and Accreditation,” and “Library 2.0.”

“Our new Web site will help us all to engage members, to build community and to expand our services and the value we bring to our members,” says Hirshon. “There is much more to come with many planned enhancements underway. We’ll be looking forward to member involvement to improve the site continuously.”

NELINET will continue to explore other open source solutions and provide guidance to the membership looking to find efficient and productive ways to help run their organizations better. In 2007, NELINET unveiled the Tech Sandbox (www3.nelinet.net/services/digital/sandbox) – an online resource where organizations can try out new library technologies with an eye to evaluating them for installation or purchase. Open source products currently available to try out include, DSpace, Harvester2, Evergreen, Koha Zoom, Moodle and MediaWiki.

For more information about NELINET and open source solutions, contact:
Connie Massey at massey@nelinet.net or 508-597-1938.