FONTANA, CA (April 23, 2024) – Auto-Graphics, Inc., a pioneer in Web-based library resource management solutions for library consortia and statewide systems, proudly announces that its cloud-based resource sharing solution, SHAREit, has been awarded the contract by the Tennessee State Library and Archives for the seventh consecutive time. This achievement solidifies Auto-Graphics’ continued presence and expansion across the Southern and Midwest states facilitating resource sharing across state lines.
Albert Flores, Vice President of Sales at Auto-Graphics, expressed his gratitude, stating, “Auto-Graphics has a longstanding partnership with public libraries in Tennessee, spanning over four decades. We are deeply honored to be chosen once again to fulfill their statewide resource sharing needs.”
SHAREit will continue to serve as the cornerstone for connecting over two hundred public libraries across Tennessee, bridging geographic gaps and ensuring equal access to resources for all libraries and their patrons. By facilitating collaboration among libraries of various sizes, SHAREit plays a crucial role in leveling the playing field and enriching the library experience statewide. Moreover, SHAREit enables Tennessee’s diverse Integrated Library System (ILS) landscape to leverage the wealth of resources available through the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
Auto-Graphics and Tennessee have enjoyed a rewarding partnership since the late 1980s, making Tennessee the company’s second oldest customer. Initially selected to provide catalog resources for the state, Auto-Graphics has continually evolved its resource sharing products to meet the changing needs of Tennessee’s library ecosystem. Tennessee libraries will continue shifting their lending and borrowing procedures to take advantage of SHAREit’s Z39.50 capability allowing them to utilize a virtual catalog in addition to the union database they are currently using. They also have the unique opportunity to streamline workflow among the numerous libraries using VERSO for their ILS by sharing resources using CILL (Circulation ILL). The CILL environment provides a more direct NCIP connection which eliminates approximately 80% of the steps required by staff to complete an ILL transaction. Auto-Graphics takes pride in its decades-long legacy of supporting interlibrary loan (ILL) services in Tennessee, contributing to the growth and success of public libraries across diverse and expansive geographical regions.
President
Customer Service Manager
Product Manager – VERSO
Product Manager, SHAREit
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Operations Officer
Mr. Hicks, CPA, has been a director since February 2012. Mr. Hicks is Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Hicks has been a practicing certified public accountant for over twenty-five years in addition to partnering and managing both an underground construction company and real estate development business. Currently, Mr. Hicks is a founder and senior partner of Hicks & Williams, LLP a certified public accounting firm providing tax, audit and management consulting services to small and medium size clients across the nation.
Vice President of Sales
Mr. Heath has been a director since December 2012. Mr. Heath immigrated to California from Canada during the Internet commerce boom in 1999. Mr. Heath was formerly Vice President, Secondary Markets at Best Buy (2008-2010) and founded Dealtree.com in 1999, where he was CTO & COO from (2001-2010). Mr. Heath has developed expert system technologies for managing online sales channels and created several online marketplaces supporting secondary market sales. Mr. Heath is an Internet technology and business operations consultant and serves as President of Heath Investment Properties LLC. Mr. Heath is an active member of Rotary, and currently serves a Technology Director for District 5320 in Southern California.
Dr. Murphy has been a director since December 2012. He has over 20 years experience as a successful software executive specializing in high-growth SaaS companies. He currently is CEO of GVNG Technology and Practitioner of Strategy at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. Dr. Murphy is an active member on the board of directors for several early-stage and private equity owned companies. He received his MBA from Pepperdine University and his Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from the Alliance Manchester Business School at The University of Manchester.
Ken Kerr has been a director since April 2020. During his career, he served in a variety of leadership positions in sales, marketing, and operations with companies in startup, turnaround, and expansion. Most recently he was CEO/CFO of Advisys, Inc., a SaaS company providing financial planning solutions to Fortune 100 banks, brokerages and insurance companies, and thousands of independent financial advisers. He retired from Advisys in 2018 and now consults with businesses to improve profits and productivity through effective employee engagement strategies. Ken graduated Cum Laude from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and has an MBA with an emphasis in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix.
Director of Customer Service and Quality Assurance
Controller
Product Manager, SHAREit – Customer Services
Product Manager, VERSO – Technical Services
Director of Information Technology