What is LibLime and what does the company provide?

Updated

LibLime is a library software and services provider that has offered library management solutions since 2005. Its core product is Bibliovation, a 100% web-based, cloud-hosted Library Services Platform (LSP) delivered as a SaaS solution. LibLime positions itself as a global leader in open development LSP systems and support, serving libraries of all types and sizes with consulting, development, implementation, support, and hosting. If you are evaluating an LSP and want a vendor that combines software with hands-on service, LibLime is worth a look; if you need published pricing or a self-service trial, the site does not provide those, so you would need to request a quote.

The core product: Bibliovation

Bibliovation is a highly flexible LSP designed to be customizable for a variety of library workflows. Key characteristics:

  • Fully web-based and cloud-hosted. All modules support mobile access from all devices, so staff and patrons are not tied to desktop clients.
  • Modular or complete. Libraries can select individual components — for example Acquisitions, the MARC21 Cataloging Editor, the Discovery Layer, or the Digital Content Management module — or take the entire suite as a complete LSP.
  • Digital collections built in. LibLime describes Bibliovation as the only LSP with a totally integrated capability for managing digital collections. The Digital Content Management module provides a digital document repository that can ingest scanned and "born digital" documents, making electronic resources and digital collections visible to users.
  • Open development model. LibLime frames this as an alternative to the traditional commercial model of software license costs plus expensive annual maintenance, and says it provides a cost-effective option — though specific costs are not published on the site.

Hosting and infrastructure

LibLime provides complete hosting of both the application and the database in its dedicated space within a FedRAMP-compliant Amazon EC2 cloud. For libraries with strict security or compliance requirements, that hosting detail is one of the more concrete claims to verify during a vendor conversation.

Services beyond the software

LibLime's offering is not just a product license. The company says its librarians, software engineers, and information technologists work closely with customers on workflow solutions, and it provides:

  • Consulting
  • Development
  • Implementation
  • Support
  • Hosting

The platform is described as "built By Librarians For Librarians," and LibLime cites named customers — the Waldo Academic Libraries, the Pioneer consortium, and the South Central Library System — as examples of what it has developed for libraries.

How to decide whether to pursue it

If your priority is… What to check
Managing both print and digital collections in one system Ask for a walkthrough of the Digital Content Management module and how it ingests scanned and born-digital documents
Avoiding a large upfront license plus heavy annual maintenance Request a quote; the site does not publish pricing, so cost comparison requires direct contact
Cloud hosting with compliance requirements Confirm the FedRAMP-compliant Amazon EC2 hosting arrangement and your own institution's requirements
A tailored workflow rather than a fixed package Discuss which modules you need versus the full suite, and how customization is scoped
Mobile access for staff and patrons Verify all modules are usable on the devices your library actually uses

The practical next step is the "Get a Quote" form on the site, which asks for contact information. Use that conversation to pin down costs, implementation timeline, module selection, and references from libraries similar to yours — none of which are published on the site itself.