Through their SHAREit product, which was the first Web-based library resource management solution in the industry, Auto-Graphics will build, host, and maintain a secure hybrid union catalog and library system-neutral resource sharing system for the state of Arkansas. The new system will allow users to search across all participating library systems in the state and request library materials using an unmediated request.
“The Arkansas State Library has long recognized the need for a statewide virtual union catalog (VUC), connecting participating libraries’ existing catalogs and making their collections discoverable in real time,” said Jennifer Chilcoat, Director of Arkansas State Library. “Funding through the American Rescue Plan Act has allowed us to finally take the plunge and get this project underway.”
Implementation of the new system began in February 2022 and plans to be live by June 2022, with 55-75 libraries estimated to participate in the first year. The contract runs through January 2024.
“[The statewide VUC] can be used as a tool for collection management, benchmarking, and overall broader knowledge of the resources around the state that may be of use to our community of users,” Chilcoat said. “We are grateful for the ARPA funds that have allowed us to address this critical need.”
Arkansas’ decision to sign with Auto-Graphics stems from several reasons; namely, that SHAREit can work with any ILS. “The statewide VUC will facilitate resource sharing among Arkansas libraries of all sizes and types,” said Chilcoat. “We most certainly didn’t want to end up with a VUC that excluded full participation by all libraries, regardless of finances and geography. Full access was what we were aiming for.”
Albert Flores, Auto-Graphics’ VP of Sales and Marketing, said that SHAREit is the “perfect model to support a state without a history of providing resource sharing.”
“Our greatest satisfaction with implementing a new statewide system like Arkansas is leveraging SHAREit’s inherent value,” he said. “It shows the utility of SHAREit that it’s flexible to adapt to a state’s ecosystem and their origins. That has always been its strength.”
Flores added that he and the Auto-Graphics team are pleased and eager to welcome Arkansas to the SHAREit family.
Arkansas will be Auto-Graphics’ 15th statewide system, continuing an expansion throughout the southeast United States, including Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, and Tennessee.
President
Customer Service Manager
Product Manager – VERSO
Product Manager, SHAREit
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Hicks, CPA, has been a director since February 2012. Mr. Hicks is Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Hicks has been a practicing certified public accountant for over twenty-five years in addition to partnering and managing both an underground construction company and real estate development business. Currently, Mr. Hicks is a founder and senior partner of Hicks & Williams, LLP a certified public accounting firm providing tax, audit and management consulting services to small and medium size clients across the nation.
Vice President of Sales
Mr. Heath has been a director since December 2012. Mr. Heath immigrated to California from Canada during the Internet commerce boom in 1999. Mr. Heath was formerly Vice President, Secondary Markets at Best Buy (2008-2010) and founded Dealtree.com in 1999, where he was CTO & COO from (2001-2010). Mr. Heath has developed expert system technologies for managing online sales channels and created several online marketplaces supporting secondary market sales. Mr. Heath is an Internet technology and business operations consultant and serves as President of Heath Investment Properties LLC. Mr. Heath is an active member of Rotary, and currently serves a Technology Director for District 5320 in Southern California.
Dr. Murphy has been a director since December 2012. He has over 20 years experience as a successful software executive specializing in high-growth SaaS companies. He currently is CEO of GVNG Technology and Practitioner of Strategy at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. Dr. Murphy is an active member on the board of directors for several early-stage and private equity owned companies. He received his MBA from Pepperdine University and his Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from the Alliance Manchester Business School at The University of Manchester.
Ken Kerr has been a director since April 2020. During his career, he served in a variety of leadership positions in sales, marketing, and operations with companies in startup, turnaround, and expansion. Most recently he was CEO/CFO of Advisys, Inc., a SaaS company providing financial planning solutions to Fortune 100 banks, brokerages and insurance companies, and thousands of independent financial advisers. He retired from Advisys in 2018 and now consults with businesses to improve profits and productivity through effective employee engagement strategies. Ken graduated Cum Laude from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and has an MBA with an emphasis in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix.
Director of Customer Service and Quality Assurance
Controller
Product Manager, SHAREit – Customer Services
Product Manager, VERSO – Technical Services
Director of Information Technology