Consortia: Days of Future Past
koha-US 2026 Annual Conference
Meet the Panelist
Bob Bennhoff Colorado Library Consortium
AspenCat Manager
George Williams�Northeast Kansas Library System
Next Search Catalog Coordinator
Stephen Spohn Ocean State Libraries
Executive Director
Early Days
IndependentBranches introduced in 2005
The problem
When turned on, it prevents branches from sharing patrons, transferring materials, or checking out items to each other's visitors.
More flexibility
Introduction of Library Groups in 2018
Growth
Continued growth for local hold groups, editing items by branch and more.
Consortia SIG
Topics: Multi-branch installations
Meetings: 4th Thursday of every month @ 9:00 am PT / 10:00am MT / 11:00am CT / 12:00 pm ET
Group leader: George Williams
The Five Families
Questions
Each Consortia, Library Network or Large Library System engages with their members in a unique way. Let’s hear how they use Koha to navigate those relationships and resource sharing opportunities.
What does the Management of your Consortia look like?
Talk a little about the control of the system, circ matrix, library groups, etc.
What does Resource Sharing look like for your members?
Talk a little about the holds process and the tools in koha that help you manage.
How do you handle growth of the consortium?
Talk a little about the process of adding new libraries in.
How has the Aspen Integration helped with discovery and consortia management?
Talk a little about the control of the system
How do vendor integrations help your consortia?
Talk a little about the third party players you work with.
How do you approach development?
Talk a little about crowdsourcing.
Thank you!
Bob Bennhoff Colorado Library Consortium
AspenCat Manager
Stephen Spohn Ocean State Libraries
Executive Director
George Williams�Northeast Kansas Library System
Next Search Catalog Coordinator