Library Technology | News

Utah State University Moves to SOA Library Information System

• By Tim Sohn
• 09/22/11

Utah State University's library is switching over its information system in part to be able to take advantage of a platform with a more open, service-oriented architecture than its legacy system.

The library is moving to the Sierra Services Platform  made by Innovative Interfaces. Sierra, developed by the Emeryville, CA, company, will be used specifically at the Merrill-Cazier Library, the main library at Utah State University in Logan, UT. The library contains more than 1.5 million total volumes, including 620,800 books, 300,370 government documents, more than 100,000 maps, 12,760 current serial subscriptions, and access to 200-plus bibliographic, full-text, and informational databases.

"Our staff is looking forward to the promise of the new Sierra platform and what it can offer," said Library Dean Richard Clement in a prepared statement. "For example, our systems staff is enthusiastic about its open architecture."

Features of Sierra Services Platform include:

• Built around a PostgreSQL open source relational database and Lucene keyword engine;
• Support for cloud- and local-based deployment;
• A single interface from which library functions can be managed;
• Integrated staff client with updated usability;
• Integrated resource management and e-workflow;
• Fully functional workflow and business logic;
• Fully documented data dictionary that allows libraries to create reports with third-party tools;
• Library of APIs for third-party and library-developed applications, as well as tools to facilitate interaction with Web properties and social networking sites; and
• Four layers: Database, Data Access Services, Business Logic, and Presentation.

Forthcoming releases are planned that will include enhanced electronic workflow functionality, more API development, and the release of a thin Web application.

For further information, visit the Innovative Interfaces Web site.