What is the goal of the OLE Project?
The Open Library Environment (OLE) project will use open, flexible technology to produce a community-sourced alternative to current legacy automation components, including Integrated Library Systems (ILS) and electronic resource management (ERM) systems. OLE will automate core library functions in a way suited to modern workflows and that interoperates with business and content applications beyond the library. Libraries control the design of OLE, ensuring that it supports our core mission. With support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, an international group of research libraries began working with the library community in September 2008 to plan the project. Project participants are developing system requirements and an initial design document, to be ready in July 2009. The next steps are to develop a project proposal and acquire funding for development of the OLE software. The aim is to have a reference implementation available by mid 2011.
