Hello SWAN Board reps-
The agenda and packet for this Friday's meeting at Roselle Public Library District is now available.
https://support.swanlibraries.net/meeting/94771
Ted Bodewes has offered to present an update on ISLAC at the meeting. We will also discuss our analysis of the 2025 membership platform satisfaction survey. Lastly, there is a draft statement about SWAN and IMLS funding that we can review in the packet and discuss at the meeting.
I hope to see you all there on 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/>
SWAN Board—
This was announced today around 5 p.m. CT. We do not have the details yet, but I would say this is a significant step in the right direction.
Posted in the SirsiDynix Support portal:
This week SirsiDynix has undergone a company-wide restructuring that will enable us to significantly expedite the development and delivery of the core BLUEcloud modules our customers need and have consistently requested of us. This restructuring includes shifting personnel to increase our investment in product development. Unfortunately, part of that realignment necessarily included the elimination of some SirsiDynix positions and associated personnel. These decisions are never easy, and we understand that they impact the lives of our friends and associates in a very real way. It is also a challenging time for those who remain with SirsiDynix as they deal with the separation of workmates and friends.
We ask for your understanding and support as we work through this process. We deeply appreciate the contributions made by all our employees, including those who have been directly impacted by this realignment. We are confident, however, that these newly restructured teams are better aligned than ever before to deliver the essential products and services that will propel our SirsiDynix family forward into a new era of industry leadership and delivery of next-generation library solutions.
--Mike Nehren, SirsiDynix Executive VP and the SirsiDynix Executive Team--
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-
The agenda and meeting packet for Friday's meeting at Roselle Public Library are available from the link below.
https://support.swanlibraries.net/meeting/94770
This month's meeting contains the preliminary results of the 2025 SWAN platform satisfaction survey. This survey was extended another week, but we have 50 library submissions to review.
In addition, we have included a write-up of all the SWAN projects planned for 2025. We have referenced these in prior meetings, and I wanted to make sure you all were able to see them in full.
I know for some of you it is spring break, so if you are unable to attend the meeting, please let me know.
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 next week's meeting are now available. We wanted to get the packet out to you ahead of time so apologies for the late Friday email.
https://support.swanlibraries.net/meeting/94768
The packet has the written report and recommendation from the Environmental Scan Task Force. We hope you appreciate the work and dedication that went into the research. I would like to thank Jesse, Jennifer, and Anna for their effort!
In addition, I have a recommendation on the Aspen Discovery and mobile app hosting contract for the upcoming renewal.
And lastly, we have our fiscal year 2024 audit completed.
I look forward to seeing you all at the Glen Ellyn Public Library! Have a great weekend.
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 reps-
The agenda and packet for Friday's meeting at Blue Island Public Library is linked below.
https://support.swanlibraries.net/meeting/94767
The packet is 76 pages long and includes a version of the FY26 budget with the narrative and explanation of the budget line expenses.
We will also discuss the software platform satisfaction survey for 2025 and have a first look at the SWAN training strategy developed internally.
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—
The sale of SirsiDynix was announced this week, and I had a regularly scheduled meeting with our SirsiDynix Library Relations Manager yesterday and to summarize:
* The previous ownership was in place for around 10 years, so some change was expected
* As noted below, the new ownership is in perpetuity
* The BLUEcloud Accelerate funding initiative will continue
* The sale does not change anything as far as our library membership is concerned
It is interesting to note that this new owner Harris is owned by a larger company Constellation Software, which owns a sister company to Harris called Volaris. The library software companies BiblioCommons and EnvisionWare are owned by Volaris, so there is some connection there, but it might not mean much.
Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron(a)swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> • 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his
SWAN Library Services
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> • catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
From: SirsiDynix Support Center <sdsc(a)sirsidynix.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 12:45 PM
To: Aaron Skog <aaron(a)swanlibraries.net>
Subject: [SirsiDynix] Exciting Company Announcement
[https://support.sirsidynix.com/logo.png]<https://support.sirsidynix.com/>
Dear SirsiDynix Customers,
I have some exciting news to share!
It is my pleasure to announce the closing of the acquisition of SirsiDynix by N. Harris Computer Corporation (Harris), a subsidiary of Constellation Software. Moving forward, SirsiDynix will continue to operate as a stand-alone business within the Harris group of specialized software companies. We’ll certainly have more information to share in the coming weeks, but for now, here are the key points that you should know.
This acquisition marks the end of the private equity ownership era for SirsiDynix. Harris and its Constellation affiliates are permanent acquirers. The businesses acquired by Harris do not get sold - in part or in whole - once they are part of the Harris family. This is very good news for all SirsiDynix customers. This means all business strategies and decisions are focused on long-term success rather than short-term objectives.
And very importantly, Harris is fully committed to the recently-announced BC Accelerate product investment and intends to continue with that exciting initiative. SirsiDynix, under Harris, will continue to innovate and deliver on the product roadmap developed over time with extensive customer input. And rest assured, that the same people who helped you with your projects and issues previously will be the same people who will assist you going forward.
This acquisition will not affect any partnerships, product integrations or other company initiatives currently in place. If anything, we anticipate being even a stronger partner to the library community and enhancing our leadership position as we benefit from the financial strength of our new owners. Harris is patient, deliberate, and invests consistently and incrementally over the long term to achieve the best possible outcomes for their customers. This means that SirsiDynix will be managed to endure and thrive for decades to come.
We look forward to building a wonderful future together that includes our new friends at Harris, our exceptional employees, and especially you, our valued customers.
Warm regards,
Bill
sdsc(a)sirsidynix.com<mailto:sdsc@sirsidynix.com> | https://support.sirsidynix.com
Hello SWAN board reps-
The Board meeting agenda and packet for Friday's meeting at Blue Island Public Library are now posted.
https://support.swanlibraries.net/meeting/94479
This meeting will have the following business.
* Novelist Select subscription recommendation
* SWAN FY26 budget & fees draft
* SWAN Circulation policy revision approval
I also wanted to let you know our office move is complete! We have a final test with the fire department to complete on Thursday before we can begin officially using it.
See you on 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 reps-
We have the agenda and packet for Friday's meeting ready for you.
https://support.swanlibraries.net/meeting/94474
We will meet again at Tinley Park Public Library in the boardroom on the second floor.
If you have any questions about anything in the meeting packet, please let me know!
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
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> * catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>
