Library Perceptions 2024: Results of the 18th International Survey of Library Automation
OPALS Continues to Lead in Library Automation
May 2025 – For over a decade, OPALS has been consistently recognized by our clients as the premier integrated library system (ILS) in terms of reliability, responsive technical support, and exceptional cost effectiveness. The recently released 2025 International Survey of Library Automation from LibraryTechnology.org reaffirms this standing.
In the 2025 survey, OPALS once again earned the highest ratings in every evaluated category among school libraries. Notably, OPALS also received top scores among small academic libraries, underscoring our platform’s versatility and value across different educational settings.
These results reflect OPALS’ enduring commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction—hallmarks of a trusted solution used by thousands of libraries worldwide.
Survey Link: https://librarytechnology.org/perceptions/2024/#opals
Survey Narratives: https://librarytechnology.org/perceptions/2024/comments/#OPALS
Judges grant OPALS the 2026 MLA Platinum Award
OPALS Earns Platinum Level Award for 2026 🏆
We are proud to announce that OPALS has been awarded a Platinum Level distinction for 2026, recognizing our continued excellence, leadership, and commitment to delivering outstanding service to our community.
The Platinum Level Award represents the highest standard of achievement and reflects the dedication, innovation, and collaborative spirit of everyone involved in OPALS. This honor affirms our ongoing efforts to maintain best practices, exceed expectations, and support meaningful outcomes for our users and partners.
Thank you to all staff, collaborators, and stakeholders whose hard work and commitment made this achievement possible. We look forward to building on this momentum as we continue to advance OPALS throughout 2026 and beyond.
Total score: 9.25
Category: Platinum
On a scale of 1-10, with 1=Lowest Quality and 10=Highest Quality, how would you rate the quality of this product?
Score: 9.25
On a scale of 1-10, with 1=Least Functionality and 10=Greatest Functionality, how would you rate the functionality of this product?
Score: 8.75
On a scale of 1-10, with 1=Least Competitive and 10=Most Competitive, how would you rate this product vs. competitive/similar products?
Score: 8.75
On a scale of 1-10, with 1=Lowest Quality and 10=Highest Quality, how would you rate the quality of the service delivered by the company that provides this product?
Score: 9.0
On a scale of 1-10 :1=Least Satisfied and 10=Most Satisfied, how would you rate your satisfaction with the company providing this product? Score: 10
- “I have used this product for, I believe, at least 12-13 years. The customer service is phenomenal…within minutes of reaching out during working hours. Always pleasant and definitely never pushy about purchases. The district has used several OPACs over the 30 years that I have been with the district and OPALS is, by far, the best that we have ever dealt with. The team at OPALS is amazing as is their product.”
- “I have worked with several library automation systems and OPACS over the years, and often still have to use other services while dealing with public libraries and college libraries. OPALS by MediaFlex is, by far, the best! Easy to learn, easy to use, excellent quality, excellent service. They’ve been our district’s OPAC since August of 2009. I can’t say enough good about them. They make my job and my students’ learning So Much More User Friendly.”
- “Being able to provide suggestions for development that are implemented by the company is a huge bonus for us and how the product meets our needs and continues to grow with our evolving needs.”
OPALS 2026 Updates
Community librarians, programmers and technical support staff have worked together to prioritize and develop updates that improve OPALS. These changes dramatically expand library members’ research experience, seamlessly incorporating print, digital, streaming video, STEM and archival resources as well as integrating the variety of authentication challenges presented by each format.
WELCOME TO OPALS
OPALS is a proven, open-source automated library system. Whether your library has hundreds of resources or millions, there is likely a library just like yours that has adopted OPALS. Well over 2000 libraries around the world use OPALS every day to manage library resources that hundreds of thousands of library members can access on the Web in their institutions, at home or at a local cafe.
Explore our Website, discover OPALS’ many features, technical support and engineering framework and contact us to set up a free hosted demonstration system. Upload all of your data and in 24 to 48 hours you and your community can explore OPALS’ every nook and cranny in the familiar context of your own library data.
In addition to a thorough system assessment, you will get to sample OPALS’ librarian-acclaimed technical support. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
- Cooperatively developed
- Web-based – Mobile Device Friendly
- Standards-based
- Feature rich
- Open source
- Professional management
- Professional development
- Professional support
- Lowest Total Cost of Ownership
This alternative technology provides Internet access to:
- Information databases
- Library collections
- Digital resources (eBooks, Video streaming) – Authentication
- Digital archives
- IT Equipment
- STEM Resources
- Advance Booking: Resource selection – Order processing – Scheduling and Delivery Management – Regional and local management
OPALS technology serves over 2000 libraries around the world:
- Schools
- Academic
- Public
- Research
- Museum
- Health services
- Business
- Faith communities
- Union catalogs (ex. ILL services)
There is no need to install software or purchase and maintain expensive computer servers or software licenses to implement this powerful, turnkey Internet accessible system. The “total cost of ownership” is demonstrably and undeniably sustainable.
We can either host and maintain OPALS on our servers or we can work with your staff to install and support it at your site. Experienced programmers and technical support staff update and maintain the program, giving this open source initiative a responsive support framework that is essential for institutions that serve the public.
OPALS DEMO SITE
The best way to determine whether OPALS is a good fit for your library is to experience it in the familiar context of your library’s data. Our staff can set up an evaluation site into which we can upload your library’s MARC bibliographic records. In most cases, these sites are ready for you to evaluate within 24 hours. During the evaluation period, you will be able to try all of the system’s features and have access to OPALS support staff.
Check our Demo site to learn more about OPALS and to experience all of its features.
OPALS SUPPORT – DATA PRIVACY
Media Flex supports OPALS in the United States. There are reasonably priced cooperative support & update services fees that provide funding for full-time outstanding technical support and computer engineering staff.
Media Flex – OPALS is a member of A4L/SDPC (Student Data Privacy Consortium)
Media Flex – OPALS – (Media Flex Inc) is a member of NYS – DREAM Consortium
OPALS Data Privacy & Security Policy: Click to view Media Flex – OPALS Data Privacy & Security Plan
This link will upload a PDF version of the Data Privacy and Security Plan to your download folder to view and / or print.
Bibliofiche provides support & services for Canadian and international libraries.
