Implementation and Data

We understand how important your data is to you and your patrons. Our mission in the Implementation Department is to ensure the accurate transfer of data from your legacy system to an open source product supported by ByWater Solutions.

The first step in the migration process is data profiling in which we gain an thorough understanding of the data you have sent us. We analyze your data to assess the quantity and quality. We identify any potential anomalies in the data and prepare a strategy for the migration process to move the data into Koha. The design of the migration process is unique to each library. No two data sets are ever the same! During the migration process, each of our new partners receives a migration test system where the migration process is fine-tuned, modified, and adjusted until the data in Koha suits your library's needs. This migration server is also used in the hands on training and for all testing the library wishes to do during the migration process.

The ByWater Aspen Discovery team will work with you to customize this implementation according to your library's specific needs. Your best resource for questions throughout the process will be your Aspen Discovery implementor. They act as the project manager for your implementation; if they cannot answer your question, they will find the resources to get it answered!

Our Koha migration and server setup services include, but are not limited to:

Creation of a migration Koha system to be used for training and testing
Transfer of data from legacy ILS to Koha
Koha installation and customization
Administrative configuration
OPAC customization
Import of patron data
Assistance with the import/configuration of authority records
External device setups such as those using SIP2 and LDAP connections

Our Aspen Discovery implementation services include, but are not limited to:

Creation of an Aspen system to be used for training and testing
Connection to ILS for seamless data connections
Administrative setup & configuration
Customization of themes and layouts
eContent and third-party setup
Weekly meetings and patron experience training

Our Implementation Team

Donna Bachowski

Director of Implementations

Donna decided in 8th grade that she wanted to be a librarian, and that is exactly what she did. She earned a BA in Library Science from the University of Southern Mississippi and a MLS from the University of South Florida. She has worked in public libraries for more than 23 years, focusing on Adult Services. She currently resides in Northern Kentucky with her husband of 20 years, who she met in a library.

Elise Konya

Project Coordinator

Elise Konya started her career at the St. Louis County Library in Missouri but has been a library fan since childhood. At ByWater, she started off as part of the support team to assist libraries in whatever ways they need (and to absorb as much about Koha as she can!). Elise and her partner live in central Illinois, and between them they wrangle one kid and two cats. In her free time, Elise enjoys reading, writing, playing games, and browsing for new pens and notebooks.

Jessica Beno

Data Migration Librarian

Jessica received her BA from St. Xavier University and her MLIS from Dominican University’s School of Library and Information Science. She has worked for historical societies, museums, and archives across Chicagoland, but it was in her role as a corporate digital asset management associate where she developed her passion for data organization. It was with this passion and her love of libraries that she decided to continue her career as a migration librarian for ByWater Solutions. In her free time, Jessica enjoys staying active and spending her days outdoors.

Enica Davis

Data Migration Librarian

Enica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology Management. She was born and raised in the Philippines where libraries were rather difficult to come by. Enica’s love of libraries blossomed when her family emigrated to the United States. Enica’s ESL teacher helped her learn the English language by suggesting she start visiting the local library and to begin reading anything she could get her hands on. Ever since, Enica has pursued a career in librarianship and has experience working in both academic and public libraries, managing technology, meeting the needs of library patrons, and helping libraries serve their communities in the best possible way. She loves digging into data and transforming it into easily accessible information that is useful and meaningful for librarians and patrons alike. When not at work, you’ll find her reading, painting, watching old films, and going on long walks/hikes with her partner and their dog, affectionately known as “The LABrarian.”

Valerie Burnett

Data Migration Librarian

Valerie Burnett holds an MLIS from the University of Washington. She brings to ByWater 25 years of experience in academic, medical, and school libraries. At ByWater, she enjoys supporting libraries across the continent and the world and takes her role in caring for library data very seriously. Outside of work, her pursuits include knitting, sewing, rambling on foot, cosplay, plant-based cuisine, and cats, with a great passion for ensuring a beautiful and safe world for all humans, especially traditionally marginalized humans.

Mark Miller

Data Migration Librarian

Mark developed his love for libraries doing research for his BA in music from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Since then, he has received his MLIS from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and worked in libraries in the Chicago area before finding a way to combine his love of libraries and technology at Bywater. In his spare time he enjoys making music, playing games, and petting his dog.

Sara Porter

Implementation Support

Sara didn't originally intend to pursue a career in libraries, but she fell in love with the field while working part-time at her local public library during college. Over the past five years she has worked various roles in public libraries, all the while developing a particular interest in library data and technology. She earned her BA in Sociology from California State University, Fullerton, and a MS in Information Science from the University of North Texas. Originally from Southern California, Sara currently lives in Kansas and enjoys spending her free time with her friends and family, including her very spoiled dog and cat. Her hobbies include reading, knitting, and playing video games.

Jesse Maseto

Systems Ninja

Jesse uses his 20 years of experience in operational management and client relations to streamline development processes and ensure that custom developments are delivered on time and according to specifications. Using his history of success in spearheading new initiatives and managing customer correspondence, Jesse follows new feature developments from conception all the way to realization. He has worked in many different business forums and is perfectly suited to bring the levels of organization and communication we are know for to our Koha partners.

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