Worcester, MA and Boston, MA – The American Antiquarian Society (AAS), one of the nation’s premier independent research libraries, has chosen Index Data to implement FOLIO (the Future of Libraries is Open) as its next-generation library management system. This partnership will modernize AAS’s library operations while preserving the specialized workflows essential for managing one of the world’s most significant collections of early American printed materials.

Founded in 1812, the American Antiquarian Society houses the world’s largest and most accessible collection of printed, handwritten, and visual materials produced before 1900 in what is now the United States, Canada, and the West Indies. The Society’s collection includes more than four million books, pamphlets, broadsides, newspapers, periodicals, music, and graphic arts materials that serve scholars researching nearly every aspect of early American life and culture.

“We spent two years investigating all our options before selecting FOLIO as our integrated library system and Index Data as our implementation partner,” said Beth Tsamis, associate librarian and head of acquisitions at the American Antiquarian Society. “We are confident that FOLIO will meet our unique collections management needs not only now but well into the future―and that Index Data is the best team to help us achieve our implementation goals, which are vital to our work connecting readers with resources.” 

“We’re honored to partner with the American Antiquarian Society,” said Mike Gorrell, Managing Director of Index Data. “AAS’s collection is a national treasure. We’ve successfully implemented solutions for other distinguished special collections, and we look forward to providing their staff with the knowledge and experience required for a smooth and successful migration.”

Index Data, founded in 1994, specializes exclusively in library technology and was the original architect and developer of the FOLIO platform. The company’s team includes professional librarians, catalogers, and software engineers. Index Data hosts implementations for more than 25 institutions worldwide, including the University of Chicago, University of Colorado Boulder, and several museum libraries including the Winterthur Library, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts.

The implementation will include data migration, integration with AAS’s existing tools (including Aeon, Clarence, and GIGI), deployment of the VuFind discovery interface, and the Library Data Platform (LDP) for analytics and reporting. Launched in January, the project is expected to go live in October 2026.

FOLIO (the Future of Libraries is Open) is an open source library services platform used by more than 200 libraries worldwide. Unlike proprietary systems, FOLIO is community-owned and designed to be flexible and extensible, making it particularly well-suited for institutions with specialized collections and unique workflows. The platform provides comprehensive functionality for cataloging, circulation, acquisitions, and electronic resources management while allowing institutions to maintain control over their systems and data.

According to Tsamis, FOLIO’s customizable features and continued community-driven development will create more flexibility and efficiency for AAS’s cataloging and acquisitions staff.  “On the public side, users will find the new catalog more intuitive and easier to work with, improving discoverability of collection materials,” she said.

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About the American Antiquarian Society

Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, the American Antiquarian Society is a national research library and community of learners dedicated to discovering and sharing a deeper understanding of the American past. The Society holds the world’s largest and most accessible collection of original printed, handwritten, and visual sources from before 1900 in what is now the United States. The library of more than four million items includes books, pamphlets, broadsides, newspapers, periodicals, children’s literature, music, and graphic arts material. AAS connects people across the globe with these collections through its digital catalog and resources, online exhibitions, and virtual learning experiences. AAS has more than 1,200 elected members and supports dozens of researchers, artists, and writers each year through a variety of fellowship programs.  

About Index Data LLC

Index Data is a software and services company dedicated exclusively to library technology since 1994. The company contributes to and supports multiple open source library projects including FOLIO, ReShare (resource sharing), LDP (Library Data Platform for analytics), and VuFind (discovery interface). Index Data provides implementation services, hosting, ongoing support, and custom development for libraries worldwide. The company’s global team of senior, talented professionals brings decades of combined expertise to every project. For more information, visit www.indexdata.com.

Media Contacts

American Antiquarian Society
Julieane Frost
Communications Specialist
jfrost@mwa.org

Index Data LLC
Mike Gorrell
Managing Director
folio@indexdata.com