1991

• The University of Alberta invites libraries in the Edmonton area to meet for the purpose of planning the development of an information consortium

1992

• Some provincial and federal government and hospital libraries from the Edmonton area meet in March, 1992 to develop a framework for partnership
• The University of Alberta Library Automation Committee assesses library automation systems
• Potential NEOS members meet to discuss the non-system benefits of NEOS such as resource sharing, improved services for library patrons, shared costs and opportunities for staff development
• DRA is selected as the library automation system in the Fall of 1992
• Models of contracts are discussed with NEOS libraries
• Governance issues for NEOS are discussed
• Potential members are asked to provide a letter of firm commitment by November 1992

1993

• University of Alberta implements DRA
• DRA Quintet appointed, January 20, 1993
• Draft of the Integrated Library Systems Services Agreement is presented to NEOS Libraries in March 1993
• Document Delivery Service Trial Project: May 1, 1993 – November 1, 1993
• University of Alberta begins cataloguing in DRA on July 2, 1993
• Catalogue Naming Celebration, July 23, 1993
• Circulation System running in production, August 23, 1993
• Dr. Lois Stanford turns on The Gate, August 27, 1993
• Order of DRA implementation for NEOS Libraries decided in September 1993
• DRA Implementation Teams formed – NEOS library representatives are asked to sit on implementation teams

1994

• Integrated Library Systems Services Agreements signed between the University of Alberta and individual NEOS libraries
• The first non University of Alberta record is entered into The Gate, catalogued by Jane Starr of AB Agriculture
• November 1, 1994, seventeen libraries sign a Memorandum of Understanding
• NEOS Executive formed
• Appointment of NEOS Coordinator Donna Brockmeyer-Klebaum, November 1994

1995

• InfoGate implemented at NEOS libraries
• First Annual General Meeting, March 10, 1995
• Pilot Delivery Service (Bin Service) instituted to NEOS Libraries
• NEOS Listserv (neos-l) started
• Name changed from Networking Edmonton’s Online Services to NEOS Library Consortium

1996

• NEOS develops a Strategic Plan for the years 1996-1998
• Red Deer College joins NEOS
• Pauline Rennick appointed as NEOS Manager
• NEOS becomes a charter member of The Alberta Library

1997

• NEOS makes the decision to consider for membership libraries which would not share the DRA integrated catalogue
• Canadian University College joins NEOS
• NEOS represented on The Alberta Library Executive
• NEOS financial structure is revised. NEOS adopts a funding formula wherein annual assessments are based on size of library
• NEOS defines its governance structure
• Serials Module implemented in some NEOS libraries

1998

• Circulation Request Function implemented
• Acquisitions Module implemented in some NEOS libraries
• Olds College joins NEOS
• NEOS adopts a 5 year financial plan

1999

• Fairview College joins NEOS
• Grant MacEwan College becomes the first member to join NEOS for non-system related benefits only (i.e. chooses not to share the DRA integrated catalogue)
• Newman Theological College joins NEOS
• New Memorandum of Understanding signed effective September 30, 1999
• Alberta Human Resources and Employment joins NEOS
• NEOS’ Fifth Anniversary

2000

• Alberta Geological Survey Library (Energy and Utilities Board) joins NEOS
• NEOS begins to participate in Consortia Canada and ICOLC activities
• NEOS continues to offer consortial subscriptions
• NEOS Manager appointed as Vice-Chair of The Alberta Library Executive
• NEOS offers the first one day Mini-Conference for staff of NEOS libraries.

2001

• NEOS libraries agree to implement a direct connection by each NEOS library to the BARD in order to improve the speed and efficiency of physical document delivery among NEOS libraries
• A number of NEOS libraries, in all sectors, install Ariel work stations to improve the speed and quality of electronic document delivery
• The PAC Request Function (patron initiated request) is implemented.
• NEOS libraries approve a Strategic Plan for 2001-2004
• NEOS libraries approve a Financial Plan for 2002/03 to 2004/05
• Grande Prairie Regional College joins NEOS
• Alberta Government Library formed resulting in the amalgamation of membership of several member libraries
• NEOS continues to offer consortial subscriptions to electronic resources and a discounted consortial purchase for CISTI articles begins

2002

• The Collection Development Task Force participates in a pre-conference at CLA on collaborative collection development.
• NEOS libraries, in partnership with the U of A and the Edmonton Public Library, participate in implementation teams to migrate jointly to Sirsi Unicorn
• A number of NEOS libraries become members of OCLC
• “Sharing Our Strengths”, a collection development workshop, is held in October

2003

• Pauline Rennick leaves NEOS for a position with University of Alberta Museums and Collections and Anne Carr-Wiggin is appointed as NEOS Manager
• NEOS staff members receive ILS training in a variety of locations
• Sirsi Unicorn goes live in June. NEOS working groups and Sirsi implementation teams continue to work with staff as they adapt to the new ILS
• The redesigned NEOS website goes live in October
• NEOS Communications Plan developed

2004

• A consortial subscription to CISTI Source is secured. Other electronic resource initiatives continue.
• A joint contract for courier service is negotiated on behalf of several NEOS members
• Augustana University College becomes a faculty of the University of Alberta
• Fairview College partners with NAIT and leaves NEOS
• Lakeland College joins NEOS
• NEOS Office moves from University of Alberta Learning Systems Enterprises to University of Alberta Libraries
• NEOS’ 10th Anniversary