PaILS is hiring!

PaILS is hiring a Support and Documentation Specialist! We are looking for someone to join our team to manage our online documentation and be a key part of the customer support & User Group experiences for SPARK members. If you have experience with the Evergreen ILS, technical writing, project management, web development and/or bibliographic control; and are excited about visiting libraries & working remotely, please take a look at the … Read More

📚Welcoming Our Newest PaILS Member: Northampton Public Library!📚

We’re thrilled to announce that Northampton Public Library (NAPL) joined our Pennsylvania Integrated Library System consortium in February 2025! Here’s what they have to say about the migration process: “The entire team from Equinox and PaILS made migration completely painless. Equinox took care of everything including data transfer, customized notices, and training documentation. Any library looking to migrate to a different ILS should definitely consider Evergreen through Equinox, and if … Read More

Exciting News: SPARK is Upgrading to Evergreen 3.13 in November 2024!

Every year, the Pennsylvania Integrated Library System (PaILS), the proud home of the SPARK consortium, undergoes a significant software upgrade to keep our libraries running smoothly and efficiently. This year, we’re thrilled to announce that SPARK will be upgrading to Evergreen version 3.13, moving up from version 3.11. What is Evergreen? Evergreen is the powerful, open-source integrated library system (ILS) that serves as the backbone of PaILS’ services to public … Read More

The Pennsylvania Integrated Library System & Equinox Welcome Mary S. Biesecker Public Library to Evergreen ILS

The Pennsylvania Integrated Library System (PaILS), a non-profit organization that provides an open source integrated library system for Pennsylvania libraries, and Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, are pleased to welcome Mary S. Biesecker Public Library to Evergreen ILS.   “Our new SPARK catalog system helped us improve our patron service,” said Lee Ann Schrock, Library Director at Mary S. … Read More

Berks County Public Libraries and Reading Area Community College Joining SPARK!

We are thrilled to share that Berks County Public Libraries and Reading Area Community College will officially join SPARK in less than one week!   Spanning 19 libraries with 23 locations across the county, the addition of the Berks Libraries represents a significant milestone for our consortium.   On their inaugural day, a dedicated team comprising 3 PaILS staff members and 19 volunteers from existing SPARK libraries will extend support … Read More

Public Catalog Refresh Teaser & Call for Beta Testers

Public Catalog refresh coming September 2023 😊 Get ready to explore the enhanced public catalog in September! In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek: Are you interested in being a beta tester for Evergreen 3.11 before we upgrade in November? Email support@sparkpa.org and let us know! Library Spotlight Clearfield County Public Library/Curwensville Public Library’s virtual escape room “A Day at Australia Zoo” is such a clever concept! Created by Samantha … Read More

Share your ideas & opinions about PA broadband

As you may have seen on the Compendium, Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) is working to bring reliable internet service across the commonwealth. Here are some ways you can participate in the statewide effort to provide internet to all PA citizens: Respond to and share this public survey with your patrons and social networks Respond to and share this stakeholder survey with other libraries and community organizations Attend the Broadband … Read More

SPARK & Friends Breakfast at PaLA 2022!

Pennsylvania Integrated Library System (PaILS) will be hosting a “SPARK & Friends” breakfast for SPARK consortium members and their guests during the Pennsylvania Library Association Annual Conference. Coffee & juice, bagels & cinnamon rolls will be served alongside an opportunity to learn more about being a SPARK member, to network with other SPARK members, and to hear an update on PaILS/SPARK news from Executive Director, Katie Greenleaf Martin. RSVP here … Read More

PaILS 2021 – the year at a glance

Hello SPARK libraries! We here at PaILS have put together a little ‘snapshot’ report of everything we had going on in 2021 — we hope you enjoy it! Thanks for everything you do to provide excellent library services in Pennsylvania! PaILS 2021 report – Katie, Katherine & Elizabeth