April 14, 2021, Watford, UK—SirsiDynix is delighted to announce that Surrey County Council is the latest member to join The Libraries Consortium (TLC), a rapidly expanding network of public library authorities in the UK that shares technology, stock, and expertise to increase impact at reduced costs. Surrey has 52 libraries serving 1.2 million people, and will now be included in the Library Transformation Programme, which is centred on improving services for our residents.
“Surrey Libraries are excited to join the UK’s largest consortium with the enhanced customer experience this will bring. Members will be able to use their library card at any of the 380 member branches, crossing boundaries into London boroughs, and reaching as far as Essex and Luton. Shared catalogues will offer choices from more than 8 million items of stock, which can be delivered to any Surrey Library in days. Pooling staff expertise and fostering innovation will increase our purchasing power and enable development and sharing of new services,” Susan Wills, Assistant Director, Lifelong Learning and Culture, Surrey County Council.
The Consortium delivers one of the models defined by the British Library’s recommendations paper, Digital Transformation for UK public libraries: five approaches to a ‘Single Digital Presence’, setting the standard for a national online platform, or “single digital presence.” A common, centralised Library Management System, procured at a UK-wide level, serves all libraries and gives customers access to millions more items of stock with huge diversity of material and a single powerful brand.
Kelly Saini Badwal, Head of Cultural Services at Sutton Council, expressed her excitement about welcoming Surrey Libraries to The Libraries Consortium. “We now have 21 authorities who have joined TLC, making us the largest Libraries Consortium in the U.K.,” she said. “Nearly 3 million customers across 21 boroughs and counties will now benefit from access to 8 million items of physical stock. We have been working with member authorities to develop an innovative platform giving customers access to books, e-content, events, and services all in one place – a single digital platform.”
“We welcome Surrey County Council to The Libraries Consortium,” said SirsiDynix CEO Bill Davison. “Together they play such a pivotal role in the lives of so many UK residents, and we’re humbled to be a part of their services and support. We believe in the power of libraries, and we are grateful for each of our members who work to nurture, transform, and enrich their communities.”
About SirsiDynix
SirsiDynix believes in the power of libraries. Transforming and shaping their communities every day, that power inspires us to connect people with knowledge at more than 23,000 libraries worldwide. SirsiDynix technology combines relevant resources with the Best Library User Experience (BLUE). With our Best-of-Breed approach, SirsiDynix gives libraries the greatest and most expansive range of options for their software. Complemented by the most experienced training, consulting, and support staff in the industry, SirsiDynix helps libraries to reach their highest potential while serving their communities. To find out more, visit www.sirsidynix.com.
