About Evergreen

Overview

Evergreen is an open source integrated library system/software (ILS) designed to meet the needs of the very smallest and very largest libraries and consortia. Through its staff interface, it facilitates management, cataloging, and circulation of library materials. Through its online public access interface, it helps patrons find those materials.

Open Source Philosophy

The Evergreen software is freely licensed under the GNU General Public License, meaning that it is:

  • Free to download

  • Free to use

  • Free to view and modify the source code

  • Free to share with others

Evergreen has an active development and user community, as well as several companies offering migration, support, hosting, and development services.

Core Requirements

The Evergreen community’s development requirements state that the system must be:

Requirement Description

Stable

Performs reliably even under extreme load conditions

Robust

Capable of handling high transaction volumes and simultaneous users

Flexible

Accommodates the varied needs of different library types and sizes

Secure

Protects patron privacy and sensitive data

User-friendly

Facilitates both patron and staff use of the system

Evergreen History and Adoption

Evergreen first launched in 2006 and has grown significantly since then. The system now powers:

  • Over 544 libraries worldwide

  • Libraries in more than a dozen countries

  • Every type of library:

    • Public libraries

    • Academic libraries

    • Special libraries

    • School libraries

    • Tribal libraries

    • Home libraries

Bibliomation has been using Evergreen since 2011, serving over 70 member libraries across Connecticut.

Keyboard Shortcuts Reference

The Evergreen web client provides function key shortcuts to speed up common tasks. These shortcuts work in most areas of the staff interface.

Function Keys by Key Number

Key Function Key Function

F1

Patron search by barcode

F6

In-house use

F2

Check in

F7

Browsing toggle (tab around screen)

F3

Search catalog

F8

Check out

F4

Patron search by name

F9

Print

F5

Item status

F11

Hides top of browser

Function Keys by Task (Alphabetical)

Task Key Task Key

Browsing toggle

F7

Item status

F5

Check in

F2

Patron search by barcode

F1

Check out

F8

Patron search by name

F4

Hide browser top

F11

Print

F9

In-house use

F6

Search catalog

F3

Print this keyboard shortcut reference and keep it near your workstation for quick reference. You can also access help at any time by pressing F1 when not in a text field.

Storage

Evergreen can store information through the workstation (cookies) and through the user.

User accounts can save:

  • Cataloging templates

  • Report folders

  • Buckets (record, item, patron)

  • And some acquisition functions

The workstation, which uses browser cookies to store data, can save:

  • Receipt templates

  • Grid columns, including checkin modifiers

  • Some cataloging information

  • Various search preferences

Click here for more information on configuring workstations.

Related Documentation

To learn more about using Evergreen:

Next Steps

Now that you understand what Evergreen is and its capabilities:

  1. Log in to Evergreen for the first time

  2. Configure your workstation for optimal use

  3. Explore the Circulation module to begin daily tasks