Open Source Integrated Library System A Reality Check Marshall Breeding Director for Innovative Technologies and Research Vanderbilt University Program Description One of the major movements in the library automation arena involves the explosive interest in open source ILS. Open ILSs now stand as viable options for libraries. This workshop will present open source ILS options in the context of the overall library automation industry and pose the questions that librarians need to ask as they make decisions between open source and traditionally licensed automation systems. While open source presents exciting opportunities, its important to go forward with realistic expectations. Attend this workshop to explore the options. One of the major movements in the library automation arena involves the explosive interest in open source ILS. Open ILSs now stand as viable options for libraries. This workshop will present open source ILS options in the context of the overall library automation industry and pose the questions that librarians need to ask as they make decisions between open source and traditionally licensed automation systems. While open source presents exciting opportunities, its important to go forward with realistic expectations. Attend this workshop to explore the options. Open Source Software Broad Trends Open Source Infrastructure IT Infrastructure Linux Linux Apache Apache Lucene Solr MySql MySql PostgreSQL PostgreSQL Web Server deployment Source: Netcraft Operating System Market Share IDC figures for OS on new server shipments 3Q 2007: IDC figures for OS on new server shipments 3Q 2007: Windows Server: 67.1% Windows Server: 67.1% Linux: 22.8% Linux: 22.8% Slight gain for Windows/loss for Linux over previous quarter Trends Open Source Software well established in for general IT infrastructure Open Source Software well established in for general IT infrastructure Linux emerging as the dominant flavor of Unix Linux emerging as the dominant flavor of Unix Commercial options continue to prosper Commercial options continue to prosper Open Source Library Software (non-ILS) General Infrastructure Components Index Data Index Data YAZ toolkit Z39.50 SRU/W Zebra XML Search Engine Metaproxy metasearching proxy front end server for integrating access to multiple back-end Z compliant databases MasterKey federated search engine Open Search Federated Search LibraryFind Open source federated search Open source federated search Built-in OpenURL resolver Built-in OpenURL resolver 3-teired caching 3-teired caching Customizable interface Customizable interface Developed by the University of Oregon Libraries Developed by the University of Oregon Libraries dbWiz Open source federated search utility Open source federated search utility Developed at Simon Frasier University Developed at Simon Frasier University Masterkey Developed by Index Data Developed by Index Data Highly optimized, multithreaded searching of many databases Highly optimized, multithreaded searching of many databases Faceted browsing of results Faceted browsing of results Demo: masterkey.indexdata.com Demo: masterkey.indexdata.com Digital Repository Applications Fedora Open source digital repository engine Open source digital repository engine Not an out-of-the-box solution Not an out-of-the-box solution Many organizations have developed their own interfaces and applications built on top of Fedora VTLS Vital product based on Fedora VTLS Vital product based on Fedora Supported by Fedora Commons Supported by Fedora Commons http://www.fedora-commons.org/ Dspace Institutional Repository Application Institutional Repository Application Originally developed by Hewlett Packard and MIT Originally developed by Hewlett Packard and MITWidely deployed by Universities for institutional repository projects Widely deployed by Universities for institutional repository projects Keystone Developed by Index Data Developed by Index Data Open source digital repository application Open source digital repository application Digital content management Federated search OAI harvesting Link resolver services Open source discovery products AKA: Next Generation Catalogs VUFind Villanova University Based on Apache Solr search toolkit eXtensible Catalog University of Rochester River Campus Libraries University of Rochester River Campus Libraries Financial support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Financial support from the Andrew W. Mellon FoundationJust received a second round of funding from Mellon $283,000 (April 2006) $749,000 (October 2007) Wider institutional participation Scriblio Formerly WPopac Formerly WPopac OPAC based on WordPress OPAC based on WordPress A Mandate for Openness Opportunities for Openness Open Source Open Source Alternative to traditionally licensed software Open Systems Open Systems Software that doesnt hold data hostage More Open Systems Pressure for traditionally licensed products to become more open Pressure for traditionally licensed products to become more open APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) let libraries access and manipulate their data outside of delivered software APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) let libraries access and manipulate their data outside of delivered software A comprehensive set of APIs potentially give libraries more flexibility and control in accessing data and services and in extending functionality than having access to the source code. A comprehensive set of APIs potentially give libraries more flexibility and control in accessing data and services and in extending functionality than having access to the source code. Customer access to APIs does not involve as much risk to breaking core system functions, avoids issues of version management and code forking associated with open source models. Customer access to APIs does not involve as much risk to breaking core system functions, avoids issues of version management and code forking associated with open source models. More Open Systems Pressure for traditionally licensed products to become more open Pressure for traditionally licensed products to become more open APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) let libraries access and manipulate their data outside of delivered software APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) let libraries access and manipulate their data outside of delivered software A comprehensive set of APIs potentially give libraries more flexibility and control in accessing data and services and in extending functionality than having access to the source code. A comprehensive set of APIs potentially give libraries more flexibility and control in accessing data and services and in extending functionality than having access to the source code. Customer access to APIs does not involve as much risk to breaking core system functions, avoids issues of version management and code forking associated with open source models. Customer access to APIs does not involve as much risk to breaking core system functions, avoids issues of version management and code forking associated with open source models. A Continuum of Openness Closed Systems Circulation Acquisitions Cataloging Staff Interfaces: End User Interfaces: Data Stores: Functional modules: No programmable Access to the system. Captive to the user Interfaces supplied by the developer Programmer access: Standard RDBM Systems Circulation Acquisitions Cataloging Staff Interfaces: End User Interfaces: Data Stores: Functional modules: Database administrators can access data stores involved with the system: Read-only? Read/write? Developer shares database schema Programmer access: Open Source Model Circulation Acquisitions Cataloging Staff Interfaces: End User Interfaces: Data Stores: Functional modules: All aspects of the system available to inspection and modification. Programmer access: Open API Model Circulation Acquisitions Cataloging Staff Interfaces: End User Interfaces: Data Stores: Functional modules: Core application closed. Third party developers code against the published APIs or RDBMS tables. Programmer access: Published APIs Open Source / Open API Model Circulation Acquisitions Cataloging Staff Interfaces: End User Interfaces: Data Stores: Functional modules: Core application closed. Third party developers code against the published APIs or RDBMS tables. Programmer access: Published APIs Depth of Openness Evaluate level of access to a products data stores and functional elements: Evaluate level of access to a products data stores and functional elements: Open source vs Traditional licenses Some traditional vendors have well established API implementations Some traditional vendors have well established API implementations SirsiDynix Unicorn (API available to authorized customer sites that take training program) Ex Libris: consistent deployment of APIs in major products, recent strategic initiative: Open Platform Program Innovative Interfaces: Patron API Universal open APIs? Some progress on API to support discovery layer interfaces, but no comprehensive framework yet. Some progress on API to support discovery layer interfaces, but no comprehensive framework yet. Many industry protocols work like APIs: Many industry protocols work like APIs: Z39.50, SRU/W, NCIP, OAI-PMH, OpenURL, etd It would be ideal if there were an open set of APIs that were implemented by all automation system products. It would be ideal if there were an open set of APIs that were implemented by all automation system products. Third party components and add-ons would then work across all products. DLF ILS-Discovery Interface protocol. Targets interoperability between ILS and new genre of interfaces DLF ILS-Discovery Interface protocol. Targets interoperability between ILS and new genre of interfaces AKA: Berkeley Accords Opportunity out of the Upheavals More options More options Commercial + Open Source More vendors More vendors New open source support companies provide new competition More library involvement More library involvement Libraries re-energized to make significant contributions to the body of library automation software Traditionally licensed and open source automation systems will co-exist. We have an interest in the success of both alternatives. Traditionally licensed and open source automation systems will co-exist. We have an interest in the success of both alternatives. Open Source in the ILS arena Products and trends Open Source ILS enters the mainstream Earlier era of pioneering efforts to ILS shifting into one where open source alternatives fall in the mainstream Earlier era of pioneering efforts to ILS shifting into one where open source alternatives fall in the mainstream Off-the-shelf, commercially supported product available Off-the-shelf, commercially supported product available Still a minority player, but gaining ground Still a minority player, but gaining ground Tracking the Open Source Movement Through Marshalls articles and columns March 2002: Open source ILS: still a distant possibility I do not, however, expect to see such victories of Open Source software over commercial products in the integrated library system arena. Both broad historical and recent trends argue against a movement toward libraries creating their own library automation systemseither in an Open Source or closed development process. I do not, however, expect to see such victories of Open Source software over commercial products in the integrated library system arena. Both broad historical and recent trends argue against a movement toward libraries creating their own library automation systemseither in an Open Source or closed development process. Early open source efforts included Avanti, Pytheas, OpenBook, and Koha Early open source efforts included Avanti, Pytheas, OpenBook, and Koha 3 out of 4 now defunct 3 out of 4 now defunct Source: Information Technologies and Libraries, Mar 2002 Oct 2002: An update on Open Source ILS the open source systems such as the three mentioned above are but a small blip on the radar. Compared to the thousands of libraries that acquire automation systems from commercial vendors each year, the handful that use open source systems cannot yet be noted as a trend. the open source systems such as the three mentioned above are but a small blip on the radar. Compared to the thousands of libraries that acquire automation systems from commercial vendors each year, the handful that use open source systems cannot yet be noted as a trend. Discussed Koha, LearningAccess ILS, Avanti MicroLCS Source: Information Today, Oct 2002 then the world changed Mar 2007: On update on Open Source ILS As I look back at my 2002 column on open source ILS, I see that I mentioned both Koha and the Learning-Access ILS. Over this 4-year time period I have seen Koha usage increase from a single library system to two or more library systems plus a few individual public libraries and a large number of other small ones. The LearningAccess ILS is used in 15 libraries. Evergreen currently represents the largest group of libraries sharing a single open source ILS implementation. Over the same time period, well over 40,000 libraries have purchased a commercial ILS. So, relative to the entire library automation arena, those using an open source ILS still represent a minuscule portion of the whole. That said, conditions are ripe for a more rapid adoption of open source ILS than we have seen in the past. Source: Computers in Libraries, Mar 2007 Mar 2008: Making a business case for Open Source ILS Were living in a phase of library automation characterized by an increased interest in open source-not just in back-end infrastructure components but also in the mission-critical business applications such as the integrated library system. Open source library automation systems, including Koha and Evergreen, have been propelled into the limelight. Recent survey data fails to corroborate broad interest that libraries are ready to adopt open source ILS. The success of early adopters of open source ILS now serve as a catalyst for others. Paths now exist with more mature systems and professional support options. As the open source movement matures, these system will need to compete on their own merits and not solely on a philosophical preference. Source: Computers in Libraries, Mar 2008 Apr 2008: Automation System Marketplace Last year marked the launch of the open source ILS into the mainstream; it received major attention in the press and at library conferences. From a business perspective, open source ILS contracts represented a very small portion of the library automation economy. The success of early adopters' implementations has already diminished skepticism. Many indicators suggest that open source ILS contracts will displace larger percentages of traditional licensing models in each subsequent year. Source: Automation System Marketplace: Opportunity out of Turmoil April 1, 2008 An industry in turmoil Disruptions and business decisions to narrow options have fueled the open source movement Disruptions and business decisions to narrow options have fueled the open source movement Benefit to libraries in having additional options Benefit to libraries in having additional options Traditionally licensed and open source ILS alternatives will coexist in the ILS arena Traditionally licensed and open source ILS alternatives will coexist in the ILS arena Open Source vs Traditional licensing Taking sides? Taking sides? Both viable options Both viable options Avoid philosophical preference Avoid philosophical preference Which best supports the missions of libraries? Which best supports the missions of libraries? Which approach helps libraries become better libraries Which approach helps libraries become better libraries Current Open Source ILS Product Options Koha: first Open Source ILS Koha + Index Data Zebra = Koha ZOOM Koha + Index Data Zebra = Koha ZOOM Components: Components: Perl Apache MySql Zebra: search engine option for larger installations Libraries committed to Koha 300+ libraries 300+ libraries Horowhenua Library Trust Horowhenua Library Trust Nelsonville Public Library Nelsonville Public Library Athens County, OH Crawford County Federated Library System Crawford County Federated Library System 10 Libraries in PA Howard County, MD Howard County, MD Service area population: 4.7 million circulation transactions in 2006 1 million volumes Central Kansas Library System Central Kansas Library System Santa Cruz Public Library Santa Cruz Public Library Central, 9 branches 2 million volumes Near East University Library Near East University Library 1.5 million volumes Koha Evergreen Developed by the Georgia Public Library Service Developed by the Georgia Public Library Service Small development team Small development team June 2004 development begins June 2004 development begins Sept 5, 2006 live production Sept 5, 2006 live production Streamlined environment: single shared implementation, all libraries follow the same policies, one library card Streamlined environment: single shared implementation, all libraries follow the same policies, one library card Libraries using Evergreen Georgia PINES Georgia PINES http://gapines.orgGeorgia PINES: Georgia PINES: 1 Installation 54 Public Library Systems 260+ library facilities Does not include municipal systems: Atlanta-Fulton County, Cobb County Province of British Columbia in Canada Northern PINES Province of British Columbia in Canada Northern PINES Kent County, MD Kent County, MD Under consideration by academic libraries in Canada Under consideration by academic libraries in Canada Evergreen OPALS Open source Automated Library System Open source Automated Library System http://www.mediaflex.net/showcase.jsp?record_id=52 Developed and Supported by Media Flex Developed and Supported by Media Flex Harry Chan Original developer of Mandarin Installation ($250) and Hosting services ($750) South Central Organization of (School) Libraries South Central Organization of (School) Libraries consortium of K-12 school libraries in NY consortium of K-12 school libraries in NY Libraries using OPALs Dutchess County BOCES School Library System Union Catalog Dutchess County BOCES School Library System Union Catalog Rockland County BOCES School Library System Union Catalog Rockland County BOCES School Library System Union Catalog manage as many as half a million unique titles and close to a million holdings. South Central Organization Of (School) Library Systems South Central Organization Of (School) Library Systems 1.7 million titles and more than 3 million holdings for 300 schools 24 school libraries in Rockland County use OPALS open source software to manage the daily operations of their libraries 24 school libraries in Rockland County use OPALS open source software to manage the daily operations of their libraries In New York State, 15 BOCES School Library Systems provide interlibrary loan services and building level management services to 900 school libraries using OPALS open source software In New York State, 15 BOCES School Library Systems provide interlibrary loan services and building level management services to 900 school libraries using OPALS open source software Source: Harry Chan. MediaFlex OPALS NextGenLib ILS designed for the developing world ILS designed for the developing world Originally traditionally licensed, introduced 2003 Originally traditionally licensed, introduced 2003 Transition to Open Source in Jan 2008 Transition to Open Source in Jan Installations (India, Syria, Sudan, Cambodia) 122 Installations (India, Syria, Sudan, Cambodia) Collaborative project: Collaborative project: Kesavan Institute of Information and Knowledge Management Versus Solutions Versus IT Services Pvt. Ltddisplaytext.pl?RC= displaytext.pl?RC= displaytext.pl?RC= displaytext.pl?RC=13150 ILS Deployments Unicorn1704 Horizon1612 Millennium1289 Voyager1183 Aleph Library.Solution700 Koha (Total) Koha (LibLime) 90 Evergreen272 OPALS 58 / 170 Commercial Involvement Companies formed to support open source library products The Open Source Business Front Index Data Index Data Founded 1994; No ILS; A variety of other open source products to support libraries: search engines, federated search, Z39.50 toolkit, etc LibLime LibLime Founded Provides development and support services for Koha ILS. Acquired original developers of Koha in Feb Equinox. Equinox. Founded Feb 2007; staff formerly associated with GPLS Pines development team Care Affiliates Care Affiliates Founded June 2007; headed by industry veteran Carl Grant. Acquired by Care Affiliates July 2008 as Grant joins Ex Libris MediaFlex. MediaFlex. Longstanding school library automation company. Latest generation ILS developed in open source model X LibLime Small, but growing, private company formed in early 2005 Small, but growing, private company formed in early 2005 Devoted to support of Koha and other open source software Devoted to support of Koha and other open source software Launched by individuals involved with the Koha implementation at the Nelsonville Public Library Launched by individuals involved with the Koha implementation at the Nelsonville Public Library Acquired the Koha activities of Katipo Communications (Feb 2007) Acquired the Koha activities of Katipo Communications (Feb 2007) Total of 20 FTE Hiring industry veterans exiting from traditional ILS companies Total of 20 FTE Hiring industry veterans exiting from traditional ILS companies Equinox Software Small company Small company Devoted to facilitating libraries implement Evergreen the open source ILS developed for PINES Devoted to facilitating libraries implement Evergreen the open source ILS developed for PINES Launched by individuals related to the development and implementation of Evergreen at the Georgia Public Library System Launched by individuals related to the development and implementation of Evergreen at the Georgia Public Library System Contracts to GPLS and other libraries for the ongoing development and support of Evergreen Contracts to GPLS and other libraries for the ongoing development and support of Evergreen Care Affiliates Recently formed company to provide support for Open Source library automation products. Recently formed company to provide support for Open Source library automation products. Carl Grant Former COO of VTLS, President of Ex Libris (USA), Innovative Interfaces, DRA, etc. Carl Grant Former COO of VTLS, President of Ex Libris (USA), Innovative Interfaces, DRA, etc. No ILS product. Limited number of contracts. No ILS product. Limited number of contracts. Primary initiative involved federated search Primary initiative involved federated search Company assets sold to LibLime in July Company assets sold to LibLime in July 2008. Open Source Issues Explosive interest in Open Source driven by disillusionment with current vendors Explosive interest in Open Source driven by disillusionment with current vendors Seen as a solution to: Seen as a solution to: Allow libraries to have more flexible systems Lower costs Not be vulnerable to disruptions that come with mergers and acquisitions Beginning to emerge as a mainstream option Beginning to emerge as a mainstream option TOC (Total Cost of Ownership) still roughly equal to proprietary commercial model TOC (Total Cost of Ownership) still roughly equal to proprietary commercial model Cost issues Costs shifted from traditional software licensing models Costs shifted from traditional software licensing models No initial purchase of license or annual license fees Hardware costs (same as traditional) Hardware costs (same as traditional) Vendor support costs (optional) Vendor support costs (optional) Hosting services Hosting services Conversion services Conversion services Local technical support (may be higher) Local technical support (may be higher) Development costs vague models for next- generation development Development costs vague models for next- generation development Risk Factors Open Source still a risky Alternative Open Source still a risky Alternative Dependency on community organizations and commercial companies that provide development an support services Commercial/Proprietary options also a risk Commercial/Proprietary options also a risk Opinions vary, but: the traditional ILS market is no longer a haven for the risk adverse. (Northern PINES talking points Open source ILS Benchmarks Most decisions to adopt Open Source ILS based on philosophical reasons Most decisions to adopt Open Source ILS based on philosophical reasons Open Source ILS will enter the main stream once its products begin to win through objective procurement processes Open Source ILS will enter the main stream once its products begin to win through objective procurement processes Hold open source ILS to the same standards as the commercial products Hold the open source ILS companies to the same standards: Adequate customer support ratios, financial stability, service level agreements, etc. Well-document total cost of ownership statements that can be compared to other vendor price quotes Well-document total cost of ownership statements that can be compared to other vendor price quotes Measuring Interest in Open Source ILS Source: Perceptions 2007: an international survey of Library Automation Open Source Market share Open Source ILS implementations still a small percentage of the total picture Open Source ILS implementations still a small percentage of the total picture Initial set of successful implementations will likely serve as a catalyst to pave the way for others Initial set of successful implementations will likely serve as a catalyst to pave the way for others Successful implementations in wider range of libraries: Successful implementations in wider range of libraries: State-wide consortium (Evergreen) Multi-site public library systems (Koha) School district consortia (OPALS) Open Source perspective Are open source ILS products taking library automation in a new direction, or are they open source versions of what we already have? Are open source ILS products taking library automation in a new direction, or are they open source versions of what we already have? Will current slate of companies be able to support increasing numbers of libraries without the same difficulties as the incumbent ILS vendors? Will current slate of companies be able to support increasing numbers of libraries without the same difficulties as the incumbent ILS vendors? The ILS landscape is forever changed by the open source alternatives The ILS landscape is forever changed by the open source alternatives Open Source ILS catching up with the Legacy ILS. Both moving headstrong into the past. Open Source ILS catching up with the Legacy ILS. Both moving headstrong into the past. Urgent need for a new generation of library automation designed for current and future-looking library missions and workflows. Urgent need for a new generation of library automation designed for current and future-looking library missions and workflows. Moving toward new generation of library automation Rethinking the ILS Fundamental assumption: Print + Digital = Hybrid libraries Fundamental assumption: Print + Digital = Hybrid libraries Traditional ILS model not adequate for hybrid libraries Traditional ILS model not adequate for hybrid libraries Libraries currently moving toward surrounding core ILS with additional modules to handle electronic content Libraries currently moving toward surrounding core ILS with additional modules to handle electronic content New discovery layer interfaces replacing or supplementing ILS OPACS New discovery layer interfaces replacing or supplementing ILS OPACS Working toward a new model of library automation Working toward a new model of library automation Monolithic legacy architectures replaced by fabric of SOA applications Comprehensive Resource Management It's Time to Break the Mold of the Original ILS Computers in Libraries Nov/Dec 2007 ILS: a legacy concept? ILS = Integrated Library System ILS = Integrated Library System (Cataloging + Circulation + OPAC + Serials + Acquisitions) Focused on print and physical inventory Focused on print and physical inventory Electronic content at the Journal Title or collection level Electronic content at the Journal Title or collection level Emerged in the 1960s 1970s Emerged in the 1960s 1970s Functionality has evolved and expanded, but basic concepts and modules remain intact Functionality has evolved and expanded, but basic concepts and modules remain intact Note: Some companies work toward evolving the ILS to competently handle both print and digital content (e.g. Innovative Interfaces) Note: Some companies work toward evolving the ILS to competently handle both print and digital content (e.g. Innovative Interfaces) ILS: ever diminishing role Many libraries putting much less emphasis on ILS Many libraries putting much less emphasis on ILS Just an inventory system for physical materials Just an inventory system for physical materials Investments in electronic content increasing Investments in electronic content increasing Management of e-content handled outside of the ILS Management of e-content handled outside of the ILS Yet: libraries need comprehensive business automation more than ever. Mandate for more efficient operations. Do more with less. Yet: libraries need comprehensive business automation more than ever. Mandate for more efficient operations. Do more with less. Dis-integration of Library Automation Functionality ILS -- Print and Physical inventory ILS -- Print and Physical inventory OpenURL Link resolver OpenURL Link resolver Federated Search Federated Search Electronic Resource Management Module Electronic Resource Management Module Discovery layer interface Discovery layer interface Is non-integrated automation sustainable? Major burden on library personnel Major burden on library personnel Serial procurement / installation / configuration / maintenance cycles take many years to result in a comprehensive environment Serial procurement / installation / configuration / maintenance cycles take many years to result in a comprehensive environment Inefficient data models Inefficient data models Disjointed interfaces for library users Disjointed interfaces for library users Very long cycle to gain comprehensive automation Very long cycle to gain comprehensive automation Breaking down the modules Traditional ILS Traditional ILS Cataloging Circulation Online Catalog Acquisitions Serials control Reporting Modern approach: SOA Modern approach: SOA Service Oriented Architecture Legacy ILS + e-content modules Federated Search Circulation Acquisitions Cataloging Serials OpenURL Linking Electronic Resource Mgmt System Staff Interfaces: End User Interfaces: Data Stores: Functional modules: SOA model for business automation Underlying data repositories Underlying data repositories Local or Global Reusable business services Reusable business services Composite business applications Composite business applications SOA for library workflow processes Data Stores: Reusable Business Services Composite Applications Granular tasks: Comprehensive Resource Management Broad conceptual approach that proposes a library automation environment that spans all types of content that comprise library collections. Broad conceptual approach that proposes a library automation environment that spans all types of content that comprise library collections. Traditional ILS vendors: Under development but no public announcements Traditional ILS vendors: Under development but no public announcements Open Source projects in early phases Open Source projects in early phases Projection: 2-3 years until we begin see library automation systems that follow this approach years for wider adoption. Projection: 2-3 years until we begin see library automation systems that follow this approach years for wider adoption. Open Library Environment (OLE) project Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Research in Information Technology program Solicited proposal / Lead institution Duke University selected to lead project Duke University selected to lead project Core Participants: Kansas University, Lehigh University, National Library of Australia, Library and Archives Canada, University of Pennsylvania, Marshall Breeding Core Participants: Kansas University, Lehigh University, National Library of Australia, Library and Archives Canada, University of Pennsylvania, Marshall Breeding Advisory Participants: University of Chicago, Wittier College, University of Maryland, ORBIS Cascade Alliance, Rutgers University Advisory Participants: University of Chicago, Wittier College, University of Maryland, ORBIS Cascade Alliance, Rutgers University Status: Project underway: First in-person meeting, scope document underway, SOA training, first public webcast. Participants actively engaged in process. Status: Project underway: First in-person meeting, scope document underway, SOA training, first public webcast. Participants actively engaged in process. Questions?