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Before You Buy

Before signing a contract for a new vendor or platform, use this checklist to ensure you'll be able to authenticate and successfully implement a new service.

First, check if your platform is already supported - this can mean the implementation process will go more quickly. If a vendor is not on this list, your next step is to review the rest of this page and open a ticket with SWAN.

Platform Parent company Description Authentication method
ABC-CLIO Bloomsbury Publishing ABC-CLIO is an educational publisher and database provider that offers curriculum-focused reference resources, historical content, and research tools for schools, libraries, and academic institutions. OpenAthens
ABCmouse Age of Learning Inc. ABCmouse delivers research-validated curriculum for preschool through 2nd grade. Features 13,000+ learning activities across reading, math, science, art, and social studies. TLS-SIP2
AtoZdatabases DatabaseUSA Detailed information on 65 million businesses and executives and 2 million new businesses. Includes data on over 240 million residents as well as new movers/ homeowners. OpenAthens
Biblioboard Lyrasis Palace Project Adjacent? SirsiDynix Web Services
Bibliotheca Self-Service | RFID | Material Handling Acquired 3M Library Division TLS-SIP2
Brainfuse Brainfuse HelpNow, JobNow, CollegeNow, VetNow Brainfuse offers resources and live help for homework help, job seekers, veterans and college applicants. OpenAthens
Capira OCLC Mobile App SirsiDynix Web Services
Cen-Tec Self-Check | MyPromoReceipt SirsiDynix Web Services
Chicago Tribune Media News Group Digital Access & E-Edition Chicago Tribune digital access provides library patrons with unlimited access to online content at chicagotribune.com, access to an E-Edition copy of the current newspaper, and web articles dating back to the 2000s OpenAthens
CollectionHQ Collection management / development tool
Comics Plus TLS-SIP2
Communico Patron facing mobile app SirsiDynix Web Services
Comprise Self-Check Out Payment Processing | PCI Compliant TLS-SIP2
Consumer Reports Consumer Reports ConsumerReports.org is an online consumer information and product evaluation platform from Consumer Reports that provides access to expert product reviews, ratings, buying guides, reliability data, and consumer advocacy content. OpenAthens
Craft & Hobby TN Marketing Craft & Hobby is an online learning resource that provides instructional videos and courses on creative skills, DIY projects, arts, crafts, hobbies, and maker-focused activities for learners of all experience levels. OpenAthens
Creativebug Creativebug Creativebug is a craft education hub for every skill level. Patrons have an all-access, no-boundaries pass to explore thousands of classes. People of all skill levels can work alongside instructors to learn craft techniques. Records for titles can also be side loaded into the library catalog and SWAN Libraries+ app for further discoverability. Please see the Sideloading section on the eResources in Aspen page on the SWAN website. OpenAthens
D-Tech Self-Check | RFID | Automation TLS-SIP2
EBSCOhost Research Platform EBSCO The EBSCOhost Research Platform is a research interface from EBSCO that provides access to library databases, journals, magazines, ebooks, and other subscription content through a unified search experience, primarily serving as the platform for accessing and searching EBSCO databases and licensed content collections. OpenAthens
Educate Station Educate Station
Envisionware OneStop Self-Check | Materials Handling TLS-SIP2
Explora EBSCO Explora is a research interface from EBSCO designed for schools, public libraries, and academic libraries that provides an easy-to-use search experience tailored to different age groups and user types. It offers topic overviews, curated content categories, and simplified navigation to help users search library databases, magazines, journals, ebooks, and other library resources more easily. OpenAthens
Financial Ratings Series Weiss Ratings & Grey House Publishing Financial Ratings Series Online combines the strength of Weiss Ratings and Grey House Publishing to offer the library community a single source for Financial Strength Ratings and Financial Planning Tools covering Insurance, Medigap Plans, Banks, Credit Unions, Mutual Funds, Stocks, and Helpful Financial Literacy Tools to help users get started. OpenAthens
Find More Illinois ILL platform using Autographics (aka Soutron Global) SHAREit. Sign up through RAILS. TLS-SIP2
Flipster EBSCO Flipster is a digital magazine platform from EBSCO that provides access to digital magazines through libraries and institutions. OpenAthens
Gale Databases, Courses, and Udemy Gale Cengage Core offerings include subscription databases like Gale OneFile, the Gale In Context suite, Gale Business: Insights, and eBook collections. A standout offering is Gale Presents: Udemy. Includes all Gale product series: Books and Authors ChiltonLibrary Digital Scholar Lab Gale Courses Online Learning Portal Gale Business Gale eBooks Gale in Context Gale Interactive Gale OneFile Gale Access Program Gale Power Search Thorndike Press Gale Presents Primary Sources OpenAthens
Hoopla Midwest Tape Owned by Midwest Tape, offers free streaming and downloaded audiobooks, movies, music, ebooks and comics. TLS-SIP2
Infobase Solutions Infobase Infobase delivers secure, efficient access to expertly curated, citable content—empowering information literacy and supporting research, instruction, and learning. Solutions include: Video on Demand Facts on File CREDO Infobase Learning Cloud Infobase eBooks The Mailbox World Almanac for Kids Vault OpenAthens
Kanopy Owned by OverDrive, offers streaming classic cinema, indie film and top documentaries. SirsiDynix Web Services
Koios
Libby/OverDrive The Libby app is provided by OverDrive, offering eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines. SWAN presently supports 5 Overdrive consortia. SirsiDynix Web Services
Library Ideas TLS-SIP2
Library IQ
Library Market
LibraryPass
LinkedIn Learning LinkedIn LinkedIn Learning is an online learning platform that provides on-demand video courses and learning paths focused on business, technology, creative skills, and professional development. TLS-SIP2
LOTE4Kids Storytime PODs LOTE4Kids is a database of children's audio-picture books for libraries to engage multicultural families, and support community language programs, with over 6,000+ picture books across 85+ World Languages. OpenAthens
Luxer One Self-Service Lockers TLS-SIP2
Mango Languages Mango Languages Mango Languages is a language-learning platform offering interactive, self-paced courses in 70+ languages, designed for libraries, schools, and individuals. Includes Little Pim, language-learning for young children. OpenAthens
Morningstar Investment Research Center Morningstar Morningstar® Investment Research Center offers public, corporate, and academic libraries real-time access to comprehensive data and independent analysis on thousands of investments, spanning mutual funds, stocks, exchange-traded funds, and closed-end funds. OpenAthens
Newsbank NewsBank NewsBank is a digital news aggregator offering searchable access to thousands of current and historical news sources. Includes resources from the following collections: Access World News Research Collection America's News HeritageHub Life in America Collection Local Historical Newspaper Archives OpenAthens
NoveList EBSCO NoveList is a readers’ advisory and book discovery service from EBSCO that helps users discover books, authors, series, and read-alike recommendations. Includes NoveList, NoveList K-8, NoveList Plus, and NoveList K-8 Plus. OpenAthens
Novelist Select
NUWAV
OrangeBoy OrangeBoy is a patron marketing tool.
PressReader PressReader PressReader for Libraries, available on iOS and Android, provides remote access to over 7,000 newspapers and magazines from 120 countries and 60 different languages servicing a diverse range of patron communities. Records for titles can also be side loaded into the library catalog and SWAN Libraries+ app for further discoverability. Please see the Sideloading section on the eResources in Aspen page on the SWAN website. OpenAthens
ProQuest Clarivate ProQuest is a research database platform that provides access to scholarly articles, dissertations, newspapers, ebooks, and other academic and professional information resources. OpenAthens
Quipu Quipu Quipu is a technology vendor that provides software platforms for libraries and cultural institutions, including systems for managing statewide cultural pass programs like Explore More Illinois SirsiDynix Web Services
Scholastic Scholastic Scholastic databases are subscription-based online research resources that provide students and educators with access to reliable, age-appropriate content, including articles, reference materials, multimedia, and learning tools. Includes the following subscriptions: BookFlix TrueFlix ScienceFlix FreedomFlix Teachables GO! (Scholastic Go!) Watch & Learn Library Weston Woods Plus
Springshare Calendar Management | Email Marketing SirsiDynix Web Services
Tech-Logic Automated Material Handling | Self-Check | RFID Systems TLS-SIP2
Tipasa OCLC Tipasa is a cloud-based interlibrary loan management system from OCLC that streamlines borrowing, lending, and document delivery workflows for libraries. OpenAthens
World Trade Press World Trade Press World Trade Press is a digital reference publisher focused on helping students, educators, researchers, travelers, and global business professionals better understand the world. Its databases cover international trade and logistics, country culture and history, global business travel, relocation, foreign language learning, and cartography. Products include: ABC Food America ABC World Food AtoZ Food America AtoZ International Business AtoZ Maps Online AtoZ The USA AtoZ The World AtoZ World Culture AtoZ World Food Global Road Warrior LingoLITE OpenAthens
Wowbrary Interactive Services Inc.

Accessibility

Is this platform accessible?

Public libraries are required to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Before signing any new contracts, ensure that the platform will meet accessibility standards and requirements.

  • Check the RAILS VPAT database 
  • Request a current VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) or accessibility statement directly from the vendor

When reviewing a VPAT, look for conformance with WCAG 2.1 AA (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), the standard required for ADA compliance.

Keep in mind that a VPAT or statement alone does not guarantee compliance, but it is a good starting point. If you are unsure whether a platform meets requirements, contact SWAN before moving forward. RAILS also offers guidance and support through their Digital Accessibility page.

Accessibility should be revisited at each contract renewal, as platform updates can affect compliance over time.

Authentication

Can this platform securely connect to the ILS?

Authentication is required to keep access secure and limit use to authorized users. It is also important that the authentication method updates the patron last activity date in the ILS, ensuring patron records stay active even if patrons only use e-resources.

Before signing any agreements, contact SWAN. We will determine whether the platform can be supported and how it will connect to the shared ILS.

Integrations

Do you want this platform to integrate into the catalog, app, or other SWAN platform?

There are many ways to integrate with the SWAN platform, for example:

Or the SWAN platform might already offer an equivalent that you can evaluate alongside a separate platform. Or, there may be a new feature in development that could meet your needs. Open a ticket to confirm what integrations are available and what might be coming up in the future.

Vendor access policy

Has this vendor worked with SWAN before?

New vendors may take a little longer to set up than vendors we have previously worked with. In addition, if a vendor hasn't worked with us before, they will need to sign a vendor access policy before they can connect to our ILS data. Check the vendor list above for vendors we're already working with.

Is there a discount or is this included in your SWAN membership

The SWAN platform has a lot of stuff built into it and your membership with both SWAN and RAILS includes discounts. It's always a good idea to check with us before signing a contract!