Catamount Library Network
{{Short description|Public library consortium in Vermont, U.S.}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
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| name = Catamount Library Network
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| abbreviation = CLN
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| purpose = Library Consortium
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| services = Unified library catalog & Library resource sharing
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| leader_title = President
| leader_name = Lynne Fonteneau-McCann
| leader_title2 = Vice President
| leader_name2 = Mary Kasamatsu
| leader_title3 = Secretary
| leader_name3 = Holly Hall
| leader_title4 = Treasurer
| leader_name4 = Jill Tofferi
| board_of_directors = Lynne Fonteneau-McCann, Holly Hall, Deb Higgins, Mary Kasamatsu, Jill Tofferi{{cite web|title=CLN Board Meeting October 22, 2015|url=http://www.catamountlibraries.org/uploads/2/3/8/4/23847873/cln_draft_board_minutes_october_22_2015.pdf|website=Catamount Library Network|accessdate=15 February 2016|date=October 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312034946/http://www.catamountlibraries.org/uploads/2/3/8/4/23847873/cln_draft_board_minutes_october_22_2015.pdf|archive-date=12 March 2016|url-status=dead}}
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| website = http://www.catamountlibraries.org
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The Catamount Library Network (CLN) is a consortium of public libraries in the U.S. State of Vermont. It provides a unified library catalog using the open source, Koha integrated library system.
Organization
The Catamount Library Network{{cite web |url=http://www.catamountlibraries.org/|title=Catamount Library Network |accessdate=28 December 2014}} is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization, governed by a 5-member board, chosen by a council composed of one representative from each member library, and officers (president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer), chosen by the board. The council also sets the CLN's annual budget and membership fees, and approves any bylaw changes.{{cite web|title=CATAMOUNT LIBRARY NETWORK, INCORPORATED BY-LAWS|url=http://www.catamountlibraries.org/uploads/2/3/8/4/23847873/catamount_bylaws__revisions_9-25-14.pdf|website=www.catamountlibraries.org|accessdate=16 February 2015|format=.pdf|date=1 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216170810/http://www.catamountlibraries.org/uploads/2/3/8/4/23847873/catamount_bylaws__revisions_9-25-14.pdf|archive-date=16 February 2015|url-status=dead}}
In addition, two groups have been established with representatives from each library, to address, respectively, cataloging and circulation & loans issues arising within the CLN.
History and current status
The development and planning of The Catamount Library Network (CLN) began in 2010 with an initial 5 member libraries, with seed money, initial consultation, and support provided by the Vermont Department of Libraries.{{cite web|title=VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES: THE NEWSLETTER, vol. 4, no. 2, February 2013|url=http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs138/1102928001760/archive/1112458154120.html#LETTER.BLOCK20|website=archive.constantcontact.com|accessdate=16 February 2015|location=Catamount Library Network Moves Ahead}} The Department of Libraries withdrew most of its assistance over several months in 2015.{{cite web|title=CLN Board Meeting February 12, 2015|url=http://www.catamountlibraries.org/uploads/2/3/8/4/23847873/cln_february_12,_2015_goto_final_minutes.pdf|website=www.catamountlibraries.org|accessdate=15 March 2015|format=.pdf}}
The primary motivation for forming the organization was cost savings from switching from proprietary to open source software, and by having one shared system (as opposed to each library maintaining, and paying for, its own separate system). Additionally, a unified catalog allows easier resource sharing between libraries.
Initially, the CLN planned to use the Evergreen Integrated Library System,{{cite web|title=Catamount Library Network Project Selects Evergreen|url=http://galecia.com/blogs/lori-ayre/catamount-library-network-project-selects-evergreen|website=galecia.com|publisher=The Galecia Group|accessdate=1 February 2015|date=March 20, 2012}} but later selected Koha as its ILS.
The first 5 libraries switched to the new system in the spring and summer of 2013. An additional 12 libraries have since joined the organization, 9 of which, have added their holdings to the unified catalog. 3 other libraries are currently in various stages of preparation.
One library, Lawrence Memorial Library in Bristol, VT initially joined,{{cite web|last1=Catamount Library Network|title=Board Minutes--March 27, 2014 ("New Member Update" section)|url=http://www.catamountlibraries.org/uploads/2/3/8/4/23847873/cln_board_of_directors_march_2014_meeting.pdf|website=www.catamountlibraries.org|accessdate=28 January 2015|format=.pdf}} but left before being added to the consortium's catalog. It has since joined VOKAL instead. As a result of concern over unrecovered transition costs from Lawrence Memorial leaving CLN, the board voted on September 22, 2014, to require new members to pay a non-refundable deposit of $350(US).{{cite web|title=Minutes: CLN Board of Directors September 22, 2014|url=http://www.catamountlibraries.org/uploads/2/3/8/4/23847873/cln_board_of_directors_september_22_2014_meeting_draft.pdf|website=www.catamountlibraries.org|accessdate=16 February 2015|location=New Members: General Discussion|format=.pdf|quote=New members will be required to furnish a non-refundable deposit of $350 with their application to CLN. This fee will be applied to the new member’s fee due upon “Go Live”. If the member with a signed CLN agreement withdraws, the fee will be used by CLN to off-set costs for the preparation of the new member.}}
The CLN continues to seek additional members.
Database hosting
The Catamount Library Network's common Koha database and software are hosted by ByWater Solutions.{{cite web|title=First Three Catamount Libraries Go Live with ByWater Solutions’ Koha Support|url=http://bywatersolutions.com/2013/10/25/catamount-koha-support/|website=bywatersolutions.com|publisher=ByWater Solutions|accessdate=16 February 2015|date=25 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026171658/http://bywatersolutions.com/2013/10/25/catamount-koha-support/|archive-date=26 October 2013|url-status=dead}}
VOKAL (The Vermont Organization of Koha Automated Libraries)
There is currently one other unified public library catalog in Vermont—VOKAL (The Vermont Organization of Koha Automated Libraries), established by the Green Mountain Library Consortium, and (like CLN), hosted by ByWater Solutions.{{cite web |title=VOKAL/Koha Project |url=https://gmlc.wordpress.com/koha-project/ |website=Green Mountain Library Consortium |accessdate=28 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228164921/https://gmlc.wordpress.com/koha-project/ |archive-date=28 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=VOKAL VT Public |url=https://sites.google.com/site/vokalvtpublic/home |accessdate=28 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318053155/https://sites.google.com/site/vokalvtpublic/home |archive-date=18 March 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last1=Linda |first1=Helen|title=VOKAL, The Vermont Koha Project |url=http://www.vermontlibraries.org/vokal-the-vermont-koha-project/ |website=The Vermont Library Association |accessdate=28 December 2014}}
CLN Member libraries (current and former)
References
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External links
- [http://www.catamountlibraries.org/ Catamount Library Network]
- [http://libraries.vermont.gov Vermont Department of Libraries]
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Category:Public libraries in Vermont
Category:2010 establishments in Vermont