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What’s Coming Up With Softlink IC

The next few months are packed – and more importantly, they’re full of opportunities for you to sharpen your strategy, connect with peers, and get more value from Liberty Digital and illumin.

Employee Spotlight – Ben

In this spotlight, we’re featuring one of our Software Developers, Ben, who joined Softlink IC in early 2024. Ben works across our library and research management products, where a big part of his role is building new features that help keep our software practical, reliable, and easy to use. Known for his problem-solving approach and dry sense of humor, Ben is an important part of the development team.

Softlink IC: Your 2025 Wrapped

This year wasn’t just about software updates or company events; it was about our customers navigating digital change with our products. Across the sectors, we noticed the main benefits our systems provided were – time-saved, manual work reduction, and improvement in both resource discoverability and reporting strength. These helped deliver clearer outcomes to our customers’ organizations for 2025.

Employee Spotlight – James

In this spotlight, we’re featuring our Development Manager James, who has marked 15 years with the company. James leads the team behind our Liberty, illumin, and Aurora product suites, ensuring the features we deliver are practical, high quality, and aligned with what our users need most. Known for his calm leadership, pragmatic mindset, and sharp problem-solving skills, James plays a vital role in keeping our development team and product direction on course.

Highlights from Our 2025 User Group Meetings in Brisbane, Melbourne & Wellington

Each year, we bring our community together through our User Group Meetings (UGMs) – one of our favourite ways to connect with customers, share updates, and celebrate the innovation happening in libraries. In October 2025, the Softlink IC team hosted UGMs across Brisbane, Melbourne, and Wellington, bringing together professionals from every sector to learn, collaborate, and discuss what’s next for Liberty Digital and illumin.

Connections in the Digital Age – NZLLA Conference 2025

We had the privilege of attending the New Zealand Law Librarians’ Association (NZLLA) Conference 2025, held at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) on 18–19 September 2025.

The theme, “Whanaungatanga: connections in the digital age”, captured the importance of building and maintaining relationships while adapting to the rapid digital transformation in law and libraries.

Charting the Future of Libraries: Highlights from ABR 2025 in Oradea

Earlier this month, Softlink Information Centres was proud to attend the 35th National Conference of the Romanian Library Association (ABR 2025) in beautiful Oradea, Romania. Hosted in collaboration with Softlink Central Europe, the University of Oradea, and the newly modernized “Gheorghe Șincai” Bihor County Library, this year’s conference reflected a renewed energy and vision for libraries in the digital age.

AALL 2025: Great Conversations, Connections, and Knowledge in Portland

A huge thank you to the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) for organizing yet another outstanding Annual Meeting & Conference. Portland was the perfect backdrop for reconnecting with customers, meeting new faces, and diving into the latest in legal knowledge management.

Strengthening Skills and Connections – A Look Back at Our Week in Papua New Guinea

On Friday 18 July, Softlink IC wrapped up a week on the ground in Papua New Guinea, delivering in-person Liberty Digital training for the National and Supreme Courts. Led by Sarah Thompson and Jacob Devine, the sessions brought together court librarians from across the country, all eager to sharpen their skills and build confidence in the system.

Employee Spotlight – Dim

Meet Dim, Senior Software Engineer and Cybersecurity Specialist on our development team. Working remotely from Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast (and visits the office in Brisbane occasionally), he’s one of our powerful minds, from solving applications development and cybersecurity problems to offering service support, he’s a multidisciplinary who thrives on positive company culture.

Top Research Team Tools: How illumin and Onelog Save Time and Boost Efficiency

Research professionals face constant pressure to deliver accurate, timely insights under tight deadlines. From managing requests to juggling tools and tracking outputs, the real challenge isn’t just doing the work, it’s doing it efficiently. Success now depends on doing more with less and streamlining tasks to drive results.

Connecting with Law Librarians at CALL 2025 in Canada

Softlink Information Centers (IC) recently attended the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL) Conference, held from May 25–28, 2025, at the Westin Calgary. The sunshine and good weather held out for a great week of conversations, networking, and sharing ideas with the Canadian legal information community. 

2024 Wrap-Up: Milestones and Moments at Softlink Information Centers

Alex the Alpaca on 2024 review

As 2024 ends, we reflect on a year filled with innovation, connection, and success. This year, we expanded our product offerings, engaged with library and information professionals around the world, and continued to strengthen our commitment to support the needs of library and knowledge centers.

Wrapping Up 2024 User Group Meetings in Brisbane

Brisbane User Group Meeting image

On September 27th, we held our final User Group Meeting (UGM) for 2024 in Brisbane, concluding a fantastic series of events in Oceania. Like the earlier sessions in Melbourne and Wellington, the Brisbane UGM brought together our vibrant community of Liberty and illumin users for a day filled with learning, sharing, and insightful discussions.

Expanding Horizons: Softlink Acquires Aurora Information Technology

Softlink IC and AIT logos

Softlink Information Centers, a Volaris Group company, has acquired Aurora Information Technology (AIT), a leading developer of software solutions for public and special libraries. Founded in the late 1990s by Doug Coulson and Martin Fisk, AIT has built a solid reputation delivering reliable and user-friendly software.

Highlights From Our User Group Meetings in Melbourne and Wellington

User Group Meetings line drawing

We recently held two engaging User Group Meetings (UGMs) in Oceania, bringing together our wonderful community of Liberty and illumin users. Our first UGM took place in Melbourne, Australia, on August 22nd, followed by another in Wellington, New Zealand, on September 5th. Our UGM’s are designed to provide attendees with insights, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities.

Softlink Information Centers Shines at BIALL and CALL Conferences

Softlink Information Centers had an exciting and productive June, participating in two major events: the British & Irish Association of Law Librarians (BIALL) Conference in Leeds, United Kingdom, and the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL) Conference in Montreal, Canada. Both conferences provided fantastic opportunities to connect with our customers and meet new prospects.

Welcome to a New Era: Liberty Digital Unleashed

Softlink Information Centers is excited to introduce Liberty Digital, an innovative platform set to redefine the landscape of library and archive management. Launched at our recent Virtual Open Day on May 30, 2024, Liberty Digital joins our suite of products, which includes Liberty (an Integrated Library System or ILS) and illumin (a research and reference management tool). The best news of all? It’s available now for your library or archive, read on to find out more! 

The Future is Near: Liberty Digital is Coming Soon

Liberty Digital Sign being revealed from behind red wrapping paper

For over four decades, Softlink has been at the forefront of digital transformation. Softlink was one of the first to offer a Library Management System when libraries were transitioning from card catalogs to computers and one of the first to pioneer web-based systems for library management.

Where to Find Softlink IC in 2024: A Year of Learning, Innovation, and Connections

Conference showing Softlink IC in attendance

As 2024 unfolds, Softlink Information Centres is delighted to announce our active participation in a diverse array of conferences and events worldwide. This year, we’re seizing more opportunities to showcase our flagship products: Liberty, an integrated library management system, and illumin, our pioneering Knowledge & Research Management platform.

Meet Us in London: Softlink IC at the CILIP Supplier Showcase, May 1st 2024

Softlink at CILIP image

Softlink Information Centers (Softlink IC) is delighted to share that we will be at the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) Supplier Showcase. Scheduled for 1 May 2024, this one-day event will take place at 113 Chancery Lane, London. On the day, attendees can meet with leading suppliers of library management solutions in a non-sales environment. They will have the opportunity to experience product demonstrations, discuss their specific needs, and build connections with suppliers.

Meet Softlink IC at RLUK24: Empowering Research Libraries with illumin

Softlink Information Centers (Softlink IC) is thrilled to be part of the RLUK24 Conference, happening virtually between March 20-22, 2024. This aims to dive deep into the evolving role of research libraries amid the rapid pace of technological advancements, with a special emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) – their conference theme is “New Frontiers: The expanding scope of the modern research library.”

A Rap Recap of a Memorable Year

Alex the Alpaca in a lane with graffiti

As the year draws to a close, prepare to embark on a tour through some of our highlights for 2023 curated exclusively for you on our blog. We’re putting a unique spin on year-end reflections with a lyrical finale – so settle in for a special ‘rap-up’ to the year you never saw coming!

What a Week in Wellington! Our User Group Meeting and NZLLA Conference!

Alex the Alpaca at Wellington

Members of the Softlink IC team travelled to Wellington, New Zealand to conduct an in-person User Group Meeting (UGM) for our clients based in New Zealand. Additionally, we had the opportunity to participate in the New Zealand Law Librarians Association (NZLLA) conference. What a week in Wellington!

Employee Spotlight – Benjamin Grant

Photo of Benjamin

Meet Benjamin, he joined our team in 2022 as our APAC Sales Account Executive. He’s fallen in love with both Liberty and illumin and spends his time showing our potential customers how great our products are.

When We Talk About Our Live Chat Feature, We Mean Live Chat

Providing support is an important part of customer service. For Softlink IC, live chat is now indispensable. It adds another string to our already great support delivery bow. Our Liberty and illumin software customers have another effective avenue to chat to a real Support team member quickly. We don’t know if the customers of other library management system vendors talk to a real support person via a live chat option, but ours certainly do!

Employee Spotlight – Brent Vidler

photo of Brent

Meet Brent. We get to know a little bit more about Brent, who’s based in our Australian offices in the latest of our Softlink Information Centers Employee Spotlight series.

Employee Spotlight – Karlos Freelove

Image of Karlos

Meet Karlos, he’s part of our amazing customer support team, and they’re amazing! Our Support Team members are trained to understand our products inside and out. They are qualified IT experts who understand what personalized service really means. Our support team members are in our offices in Australia, the United Kingdom and United States offering 24-hour support on business days.

2022 Year in Review

Softlink IC staff photo

What a year 2022 was for Softlink IC! In this year in review, we want to take a moment to reflect on the successes and highlights from the past year!

Employee Spotlight – Jacob Devine

Jacob next to Alex the Alpaca

Meet Jacob, he’s part of our amazing customer support team, and they’re amazing! Our Support Team members are trained to understand our products inside and out. They are qualified IT experts who understand what personalized service really means. Our support team members are in our offices in Australia, the United Kingdom and United States offering 24-hour support on business days.

You’ll Never Guess Our Most Popular Liberty Feature of 2022!

screenshot of most popular liberty feature

There’s a lot to love in our latest Liberty v5 Build 8.053 release. As usual there’s something for everyone, one feature we’ve noticed people are really in love with is our new option to add subpages to the homepage. We’ve seen how this feature has made using Liberty an even better experience than for our users, and their library users.

The Future is Near: Liberty Digital is Coming Soon

For over four decades, Softlink has been at the forefront of digital transformation. Softlink was one of the first to offer a Library Management System when libraries were transitioning from card catalogs to computers and one of the first to pioneer web-based systems for library management.

Employee Spotlight – Nicholas Kress

Human - Art

Meet Nick, another one of Softlink IC’s development heroes. He’s a member of our development team based in Softlink IC’s Brisbane office that looks after the development of our Liberty and illumin systems.

Top 5 Podcasts Every Librarian Should Listen To

Podcast - Book

As an information services professional, you’re always learning. From conferences to professional development days, workshops and coursework, there’s so many places you can advance your knowledge! Podcasts offer another terrific way to grow your professional self and spend some time during your commute or breaks to explore relevant topics in an informal but interesting way!

Employee Spotlight – Jean Li

Softink IC - good

Meet Jean Li, one of Softlink IC’s Finance gurus! Jean is a team member based in Softlink IC’s Brisbane office. She’s part of the powerhouse team that looks after our day-to-day finances.

2021 in Review

Library - Integrated library system

Thanks for another great year!

It’s the beginning of 2022 and a perfect time for Softlink IC to look back at 2021 and marvel at the achievements, the fun, and the wonderful interactions we have had with our Liberty and illumin customers. Here’s looking forward to a great year ahead!

Alex the Alpaca Has His Own Instagram Account

Train - Freepik

We all know the feeling. That temptation to give in to a child who keeps bugging you about getting something they want. Whether it’s sweets, a new bicycle, or a mobile phone with all the bells and whistles, the nagging won’t stop before they get it, or you are fit to be tied. For the sake of peace, you give in, and so it has come to pass for our illumin representative, Alex the Alpaca. Yep, we at Softlink IC gave in.

Our UK Virtual User Group Meeting Rounds Out the 2021 Series

Graphic design - Poster

And so, the series of Virtual User Group Meetings (VUGMs) and Masterclasses wound up in July with a very enthusiastic group of United Kingdom (UK) Liberty library management system users. The Softlink IC team were excited to catch up with them, albeit virtually, again this year. We would have loved to have met up face-to-face, but in these uncertain times that was not meant to be. Hopefully, next year!

4 Key Takeaways From the North American Liberty User Group

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The free, annual North American Liberty User Group Meeting held on May 13th, was again held online due to travel restrictions. Nonetheless, we were delighted that many of our library customers could join us for an action-packed afternoon despite many commenting they now have Zoom fatigue!

Our Annual Library Survey is Now Open!

Graphic design - Logo

For the past ten years, Softlink has put out its well-regarded annual library survey. Last year Softlink IC began conducting a survey for all Information Centres libraries and we were delighted with the response. And thus, a new tradition begins!

Marshall Breeding is Coming to the North American Virtual User Group Meeting!

Graphic design - Poster

Our North American Liberty library staff will get together for the annual User Group Meeting (UGM) on May 13. It will again be a virtual meeting as the travel restrictions continue to impact the opportunity for us all to meet up face-to-face. Last year’s virtual meeting was fun and informative, and we look forward to doing it all again.

Employee Spotlight – Zane Koria

Integrated library system - Library

Meet Zane, one of our rather wonderful Technical Support Analysts. Based in Softlink IC’s UK office, he is no doubt a familiar voice and face for many, but not all of you! We get to know a little bit more about Zane in the latest of our Softlink Information Centres Employee Spotlight series.

Our Top 5 Blogs for 2020

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Throughout the year, Softlink IC has regularly posted blogs on a variety of topics we believe are of interest to our customers, and knowledge center staff everywhere. The topics have been varied, from the advantages of recent technology, to how to get the best out of their Liberty library management system.

Employee Spotlight – Suzana Petrovic

Glasses - Visual perception

Meet Suzana, our newest “recruit”. Based in Softlink IC’s Australian office, she has rapidly become a valuable member of our team. We get to know a little bit more about Suzana in the latest of our Softlink Information Centres Employee Spotlight series.

Employee Spotlight – Aaron Rose

Library - Integrated library system

Based in Softlink’s Australian office, Aaron is part of the Southern Hemisphere support team. We get to know a little bit more about Aaron in our latest in our Softlink Information Centres Employee Spotlight series.

The End of an Era as We Wish Maida Rubin a Happy Retirement

Travel - Softink IC

While it is a truism that ‘all good things come to an end’, it is especially so as we announce Maida Rubin’s retirement. While we wish Maida a very happy and fulfilling retirement, those of us she leaves behind, will miss her very much.

The Softlink IC’s #gotknowledge2020 Library Survey is Coming Soon

Graphic design - Logo

For the past nine years, Softlink has put out its well-regarded annual school library survey. On April 16, 2020, Softlink IC will launch the first of its annual surveys into the special library sector. In the spirit of sharing knowledge, we are asking for ten minutes of your time to complete the survey.

Employee Spotlight – Emily

Software Developer - Software

We get to know a little bit more about Emily in our latest in our Softlink Information Centres Employee Spotlight series.

Employee Spotlight – Jeff O’Keeffe

Michael Somare Library - The University of Papua New Guinea

Based in Softlink’s Australian office, Jeff is part of the Southern Hemisphere support team. We get to know a little bit more about Jeff in our latest in our Softlink Information Centres Employee Spotlight series.

2018. Softlink IC’s Year in Brief

Storytelling - Writing

Can you believe it is February already! We have been busy finalising plans for this year’s calendar. But before we let you know what is happening in 2019, we thought we would review what has been a busy 2018.

Cricket NSW Goes Live with Liberty

Library - Sydney Olympic Park

Cricket New South Wales (NSW) went live with the Liberty library management system on the 19th of December 2018. The day also saw Sarah Thompson, Softlink IC’s Technical Services Manager travel to Sydney to train 3 of the 5 Cricket NSW library volunteers.

Employee Spotlight – Alex Spencer

Based in Softlink’s Australian office, Alex is a part of our Southern Hemisphere support team. We get to know more about Alex in the latest of our Softlink Employee Spotlights.

Employee Spotlight – James Martin

James Martin, Softlink’s Development Manager for Liberty and illumin, is based in the Brisbane head office. We get to know more about James (the Wise) in the fourth of our Softlink Employee Spotlights.

Employee Spotlight – Matt Coy

Matt Coy, our Sales and Account Manager for EMEA and North America, is part of our talented Softlink Americas team. We get to know more about Matt in the second of our Softlink Employee Spotlights.

Employee Spotlight – Jeovanny Rivera

Travel - good

Jeovanny Rivera, our Technical Services Manager for EMEA and North America, is part of our talented Softlink Americas team. Most of our customers have “met” Jeo on phone calls or video conferences, but in our first Employee Spotlight, we get to know more about this support super hero!