IPSWICH, Mass. — January 21, 2021 — University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR) is the first library in Spain to choose FOLIO as its Library Services Platform (LSP) with hosting services from EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO). The implementation project will be led by IBAI-SCANBIT Technology and Services (IBAI-SCANBIT) who has partnered with EBSCO for library implementation in Spain and will be completed in the spring of 2021.
This transition to FOLIO will provide UNIZAR with a more efficient management system for its printed and electronic resources. The University of Zaragoza Library is currently working on the transition to cloud storage, freeing up resources to focus on implementation.
UNIZAR Library Director, Ramón Abad, says that the implementation of open source technology "is highly valued by IT staff and will allow for more personalized adjustments and developments tailored to our needs." About this pioneer installation of FOLIO, supported by IBAI-SCANBIT and EBSCO, he says that "the installation of FOLIO will provide great visibility to the University of Zaragoza Library, which could become a reference for the Spanish library world."
IBAI-SCANBIT’s CEO Iñigo Lapitz says that the partnership agreement with EBSCO offers the Spanish market a strong option for implementation. “We believe that the implementation of FOLIO at the University of Zaragoza will be a reference for many institutions that have not yet found a solution to their library management challenges.”
IBAI-SCANBIT and EBSCO announced their partnership in 2019 to support local libraries in Spain adopting FOLIO. SCANBIT has specialized in library automation for more than 25 years and is committed to the philosophy of open software. The partnership combines EBSCO's hosting capabilities as well as the implementation expertise and local service support provided by IBAI-SCANBIT.
About IBAI-SCANBIT Technology and Services
IBAI-SCANBIT, a 25-year company specialized in technology and outsourcing services for libraries and other cultural heritage and research institutions, is owned by a larger company called LKS Technological Consultancy. Currently, approximately 700 people work in this group and they are part of the Mondragon Corporation, the largest cooperative in the region of the Basque Country and one of the largest groups in Spain, formed by 239 companies and more than 75,000 people. IBAI-SCANBIT’s mission is to deliver professional services and the latest technology to libraries, archives, museums, walking together towards continuous improvement, innovation, progress and sustainable development of societies, bringing adding value to services and clients. The company contributes to different associations and communities of librarians, for example, the Spanish Federation of Societies of Archivist, Librarians, Documentalist and Museology (FESABID), and the KOHA, VuFind and FOLIO Communities.
About EBSCO Information Services
EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) is the leading discovery service provider for libraries worldwide with more than 11,000 discovery customers in over 100 countries. EBSCO Discovery Service™ (EDS) provides each institution with a comprehensive, single search box for its entire collection, offering unparalleled relevance ranking quality and extensive customization. EBSCO is also the preeminent provider of online research content for libraries, including hundreds of research databases, historical archives, and clinical decisions tools serving millions of end users at tens of thousands of institutions. EBSCO is the leading provider of electronic journals and books for libraries, with subscription management for more than 385,000 serials, including more than 170,000 e-journals, as well as online access to more than 1,500,000 e-books. For more information, visit the EBSCO website at: www.ebsco.com. EBSCO Information Services is a division of EBSCO Industries, Inc., a family owned company since 1944.
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For more information, please contact:
Kathleen McEvoy
Vice President of Communications
(800) 653-2726 ext. 2594
kmcevoy@ebsco.com
