Hi SWAN Board members & incoming members-
I had an interesting conversation with our SirsiDynix sales representative Stacy Betts, who most of you met last month at the board meeting.
He shared with me an offer from the company, which would be to rebate SWAN $100,000 off of the current annual maintenance agreement, and then offer two years extension with that cost savings with 3.9% annual increases.
For background and a reminder: SWAN is in the final year of its two-year agreement with SirsiDynix, which would end April 30, 2027. There was a significant 6.9% increase at the start of that two-year contract, and at the second year May 1, 2026.
I spoke with Zach about this interesting offer and we thought I should share this with you ahead of our meeting tomorrow, which we can discuss and gather questions about.
SWAN is going to have to negotiate a SirsiDynix extension anyway, as we cannot search for a new ILS and then migrate by next year. This offer has arrived without my having to ask for terms like this one offered.
See attached. I can explain the list of assets on the offer sheet, but the bottom line is what is most important!
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
915 Harger Road, Suite 260, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Hello SWAN Board representatives, incoming representatives-
The agenda and packet for the meeting on Thursday, June 18th is now available from the link below.
https://swanlibraries.net/meeting/94905
The meeting will be held at Richton Park Public Library in the first-floor meeting room.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Regards,
Aaron
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
915 Harger Road, Suite 260, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Hello SWAN Board members-
The agenda and packet for Friday's meeting is available to you from the link below.
https://swanlibraries.net/meeting/94904
The packet is 81 pages long and contains the board self-evaluation, along with the required documents for approval.
Just a reminder that Melissa Kulmer and Stacy Betts from SirsiDynix will be attending the meeting. I will confer with them shortly about any meeting room requirements at Richton Park Public Library.
See you Friday!
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
915 Harger Road, Suite 260, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Hello SWAN Board members,
As you may know, the final SWAN strategic planning event was held on Tuesday. The Committee will be meeting on Friday morning via Zoom to discuss the four events and begin work on the strategic plan initiatives.
Details on the meeting are posted with the agenda on the SWAN website.
https://swanlibraries.net/meeting/95107
Regards,
Aaron
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
915 Harger Road, Suite 260, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
The questions from our meeting last week are below. Let me know if you have any suggested edits. I plan on sending these over tomorrow around noon.
1. Your competitors seem further along with their web-based staff ILS. SWAN has provided direction to SirsiDynix for 10 years and the company still seems behind. Why is the pace of software development so slow?
2. Are the changes within SirsiDynix in the areas of software development going to show progress on SWAN priorities?
3. Have the leadership changes at SirsiDynix positioned the company to speed up development?
4. Why should SWAN have an extended contract with SirsiDynix?
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
915 Harger Road, Suite 260, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Hello SWAN Board Members-
The meeting agenda and packet are now available from the SWAN website.
https://swanlibraries.net/meeting/94902
As a reminder, we will be meeting at Glen Ellyn Public Library. We will spend additional time on some strategic planning exercises after the business portion of the meeting.
There will be morning coffee and pastries from the library café, and the box lunches from Blackberry café will be delivered prior to 9:30 a.m. so lunch will be ready whenever you decide to have it.
I have included the strategic planning exercises in the packet so you have can think ahead of time, but there is no need to complete those prior to Friday.
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
915 Harger Road, Suite 260, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
Hello SWAN Board reps-
For the extended board meeting on Friday, March 20th, lunch will be provided. Please fill out the form below to select your choices.
https://forms.office.com/r/P3vi62rdQJ
We will have pastries, quiche, and beverages for the morning portion of the meeting.
Regards,
Aaron
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
915 Harger Road, Suite 260, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
