Implementation and Data

Implementation and Data

We understand how important your data is to you and your patrons. Accurate transfer of your data from your legacy ILS to Koha is our mission in the Migrations Department. 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.

Our Koha migration and server setup services include, but 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 setup such as those using SIP2 and LDAP connections

Our Koha Data Implementation Team

Donna Bachowski

Donna Bachowski

Director of Implementations

Donna Bachowski

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.

Jessica Beno

Jessica Beno

Data Migration Librarian

Jessica Beno

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

Enica Davis

Data Migration Librarian

Enica Davis

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

Valerie Burnett

Data Migration Librarian

Valerie Burnett

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

Mark Miller

Data Migration Librarian

Mark Miller

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

Sara Porter

Implementation Support

Sara Porter

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.

Eric Swenson

Eric Swenson

Implementation Support

Eric Swenson

Eric Swenson

Implementation Support

Eric grew up in a family of librarians. His mother and sister blazed the trail that he later followed while completing his Bachelors Degree in Technology Management from Kansas State University. It was during his time as a student worker in the Salina Campus library that he developed a passion for what libraries can do and the incredible stories that their data can hold. He first full-time job in library land was for the South Central Kansas Library System where he provided I.T. support for 14 counties worth of libraries ranging from the "tiny but mighty" up to the "oh wow, that's big". Eric enjoys discovering new board games, going on adventures with his wife and three children, and generally geeking out over things.

Aspen Implementation team

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 Aspen Discovery implementation services include, but 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 Aspen Implementation Team

Morgan Daigneault

Morgan Daigneault

Aspen Implementation Specialist

Morgan Daigneault

Morgan Daigneault

Aspen Implementation Specialist

Morgan began her journey as a public library volunteer while studying graphic design but eventually realized her heart belonged to the library world and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. She received her MLIS from the University of Missouri. As a librarian, she has experience with teaching technology classes for adults, leading staff development workshops, and having a blast in youth services. Morgan is excited to bring her enthusiasm for teaching and technology to ByWater’s library partners! Originally from Kansas City, Morgan now lives in Maine with her tiny dog and large cats. In her personal time, she enjoys hiking, audiobooks, cross-stitching, and video games

Kalleen Marquise

Kalleen Marquise

Aspen Implementation Specialist

Kalleen Marquise

Kalleen Marquise

Aspen Implementation Specialist

Kalleen aka "Kal" holds a MLIS from the University of South Florida and a BA in English from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). She has over seven years of experience working in public service in public and academic libraries. Kal is passionate about training and getting to know library partners far and wide. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, exploring with her dog, and traveling to new places. Kal lives in St. Petersburg, Florida and enjoys its vibrant arts and community events.