EBSCO Discovery Service™ (EDS) has already set the bar for what the next generation discovery service can be in libraries—and EBSCO is looking at what comes next. With the goal of discovery innovation as a driving force, EBSCO has hired three industry veterans to interact closely with the library community to further understand the strategic needs of each segment, and help establish the framework for next phases of library innovation through discovery. Neil Block, Gar Sydnor, and Tamir Borensztajn are the latest additions to EBSCO’s growing discovery team.
There is much on the horizon to further optimize and illuminate the value of the library and its resources. As the demands and expectations of end users in all libraries continue to evolve, a discovery service can be one of the library’s greatest assets. As it is, these services can bring together the library’s content and increase exposure of library services in one simple experience.
Neil Block, former president of Innovative Interfaces, joins EBSCO as Vice President of Discovery Innovation, Academic Libraries. Block received his MLIS degree from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Over the last 25+ years, he has worked at multiple technology companies in the library world, and now he joins EBSCO, the library vendor with the largest technology team, to focus on the company’s flagship technology product.
EBSCO understands that the needs and issues for academic libraries are different than those of public libraries and schools.
Gar Sydnor, formerly of The Library Corporation (TLC), joins as Vice President of Discovery Innovation, Public Libraries & K12 Schools. Sydnor had been Senior Vice President of The Library Corporation since July 2007, and was heavily involved in TLC’s strategic direction and growth. Over his 23+ year career in the library industry, he has helped public and school libraries implement the latest technology while emphasizing better user experiences for the students and patrons they serve.
Tamir Borensztajn (MLS), graduate of Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Simmons College, and former Executive Director, Public Sector Innovation EMEA at Infor (Library Division), joins EBSCO as Vice President of Discovery Strategy. Working with Tamir is fellow librarian, Bethany Wright (MLS), who is taking on a new role as Market Research Analyst specific to discovery services.
EBSCO’s President, Tim Collins, says: “EBSCO has nineteen advisory boards and runs numerous focus groups each year, in order to gain feedback from librarians. We also have a discovery service listserv for customers with thousands of participating librarians, and we monitor it closely. In addition, we have an unparalleled end user testing program that is at the heart of our decision making process. Adding Neil, Gar, and Tamir allows us to have more library technology veterans interacting with customers and potential customers of our technology products.”
