Tag Archives: Marshall Breeding

Arts & Humanities, Books & Reading, Current Affairs, Libraries, Times They Are A-Changing, Web & Technology

2022 Library Systems Report | American Libraries Magazine

An industry disrupted

By Marshall Breeding | May 2, 2022

Illustration: Tom Deja

Events of the last year have reshaped the library technology industry.

Previous rounds of acquisitions pale in comparison to the acquisition of ProQuest by Clarivate, which has propelled the leading library technology provider into the broader commercial sector of scholarly communications.

This deal signals that the gap in size among vendors is widening, as ProQuest businesses Ex Libris and Innovative Interfaces also join Clarivate.

The emergence of such a large business at the top of the industry has accelerated consolidation among mid-level players that aim to increase scale and efficiency to remain competitive. This was a banner year for consolidation of midsize competitors, with more acquisitions than any prior year.

These deals raise concerns about weakened competition, but they may also enable new industry dynamics that will spark innovation and synergy within the broader research and education landscape. Small companies with visions for innovation often lack the resources to deliver, which larger companies can provide. Increased investor and stockholder involvement, however, translates into pressure to maximize profits and growth. The way these competing dynamics play out has important implications for libraries.

Sources: 2022 Library Systems Report | American Libraries Magazine via
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Books & Reading, Libraries, Web & Technology

2021 Library Systems Report | American Libraries Magazine

Advancing library technologies in challenging times

By Marshall Breeding | May 3, 2021

Illustration: Tom Deja

In a year complicated by a global pandemic, the community of vendors providing technologies to libraries made important strides to meet pressing needs and make ongoing progress in their longer-term initiatives.

Though the pandemic disrupted library services—as well as funding—in 2020, concerted efforts were made to fulfill the demands of users to the extent possible.

Almost all vendors made sharp turns to expand access to digital collections and services in order to compensate for diminished access to physical materials.

Source: 2021 Library Systems Report | American Libraries Magazine