Hello SWAN Board reps-
The self-nomination process concluded last week after an extension which resulted in three candidates for the three seats. I reached out to Anna Wassenaar last week letting her know that there was a third name that came forward and she would not have to run for a second term.
I have included the candidate statements below. I will be sending out a membership update, but I wanted to let you know first about the names and that we will not need to host an election for the three seats.
Ben Weseloh, West Chicago Public Library District
I submit my name for consideration to serve on the SWAN Board. I have nearly 30 years of professional library experience in both academic and public libraries, with the last 11 years as Library Director for the West Chicago Public Library District. I would like to serve on the SWAN Board to collaborate with the other board directors and the executive director to provide oversight, leadership, and strategic direction to continue, and potentially improve and expand, the historically strong support and services provided to member libraries.
Laura Van Cleve, Richton Park Public Library District
As the Director of a small library in the south suburbs, who is also under funded, we rely heavily on the services provided by SWAN. I am running for the board to better understand all of the services to which SWAN provides us, as well as being a voice for small libraries and libraries in the south suburbs. I have over 20 years of experience in libraries, with 6 as Director, and my schedule has finally allowed me the opportunity to seek out positions of interest within the library community. I am also on the ILA Conference Planning Committee for 2025.
Ridgeway Burns, Itasca Community Library
I respectfully submit my candidacy for the SWAN Board. SWAN's services enable library users to access a much wider range of materials. I hope that my service on the SWAN board will assist SWAN in capitalizing on that strength. After holding personal library cards from SWAN and non-SWAN libraries, I can personally vouch for the advantages of being able to visit neighboring libraries and use my card without any additional barriers.
While on the board, I hope to gain an inside understanding of SWAN procedures and budget practices so I can articulate them for other SWAN members. SWAN's work is important and member libraries should have a complete understanding of how that work is completed. SWAN board members have helped me better understand how SWAN operates in the past and I hope I can return the favor for other members.
Through working directly with the public at SWAN libraries, I'm familiar with how public-facing staff workflows interact with SWAN's current software. I worked with Workflows and Millennium daily on reference desks at Forest Park and Hinsdale. As Assistant Director and YS Department Manager at Hinsdale, I prepared staff training and developed departmental best practices for SWAN software. With SWAN staff, my Hinsdale staff and I trialed BlueCloud Circ in early development. I also worked at Glen Ellyn, a former DuPage Library System library, before they joined SWAN. For committee work, I served as the Vice President of the steering committee for the eMedialibrary Overdrive consortium at both Glen Ellyn and Hinsdale. I hope to draw on these varied experiences in my service on the SWAN board.
Thank you for your consideration,
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 Monday's meeting are now posted.
https://support.swanlibraries.net/meeting/94842
The packet contains the SirsiDynix agreement, and a memo outlining the costs and impact on SWAN budget for the two years of the agreement. I have also included some information about GASB 96 which will apply to this agreement expense.
The SWAN headquarters is located on the second floor of the building at 915 Harger Road. We are at the end of the hallway in suite 260. There are two elevators in the lobby.
We are looking forward to seeing you all and hosting in the new space!
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 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
