Marshall Breeding's 2012 Survey

In an author's note, Breeding wrote, "I've had the privilege of writing the Automation Marketplace for a decade. While this time, the industry has seen profound changes in the companies involved, products offered, and prevailing technologies. A decade ago, the industry was working its way through the transition into client/server computing. Today we see a new cycle beginning that brings libraries into alignment with the shift to cloud computing and the increasing dominance of electronic and digital content relative to library collections and services. This year's Automation Marketplace reflects on the progress and transitions of the last decade as it examines the current key accomplishments of the industry."

The impact of social media

He highlights the impact of social media and mobile devices on libraries and library automation vendors.  "Mobile and social networking themes are driving other threads of development. The ever-increasing use of smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices are making it necessary for libraries to expand access to their collections and services to these users. Most vendors now offer some type of mobile product, and business models include free options that increase the value of their broader offerings to add-cost products. The pervasive influence of social networking sets expectations for all patron-facing products and presents opportunities for products that directly engage these media, just as SirsiDynix's Social Library, a native Facebook app that enables catalog search and patron services."

Last year, he notes, "the total earnings of all companies with a significant presence in the United States and Canada-was $750 million."   He explains, even though, "This estimate does not necessarily compare directly to 2010's $630 million, as this year's estimate includes a higher proportion of earnings from OCLC, EBSCO, and other sources before unidentified."

The Dublin, Ohio-based Online Computer Library Center is becomes a bigger player in the library automation industry.  Of OCLC's FY11 revenue of $205,600,000, we calculate that $57,700,000 falls pursuant to this agreement this heading.

According to Breeding, "A broader view of the global library automation industry that aggregates earnings of all companies offering library automation products and services across the globe totals" $1,760,000,000.  This includes those companies involved with RFID, automated handling equipment, and self-check equipment, or $1,450,000,000 excluding them. Just in the U.S., library automation earnings amounted to $450,000,000.

Sean M. O'Connor was formerly interim archivist at the Museum of Science and Industry. He contributed a chapter on big business to the history textbook, "Jazz Age: People and Perspectives." Mr. O'Connor spoke about several issues and events in Chicago regional history at the 9th, 10th, and...