WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed a services contract between the Navajo Nation Library and ByWater Solutions, LLC, marking a major milestone in establishing the Navajo Nation’s own independent public library catalog system.
The Navajo Nation Library currently serves approximately 5,000 registered cardholders and manages up to 45,000 titles across its library system. As the Nation transitions away from its previous arrangement with the Navajo County Library District, the new system will allow the Navajo Nation to independently manage circulation, cataloging, patron records, reporting, and digital resources.
The $193,768 contract will support implementation of the Koha Integrated Library System and Aspen Discovery platform, including data migration, system configuration, hosting, staff training, testing environments, and ongoing technical support. The project will also add approximately 250,000 metadata records and 20,000 digital titles, expanding access to educational resources for library users across the Navajo Nation.
The agreement includes complete system implementation, data conversion, customized reporting, webinar training, hosting services, test servers, and maintenance support through 2030. The new library system is expected to be fully operational by June 30, 2026, ensuring uninterrupted services for patrons throughout the Navajo Nation.
“Investing in our libraries is an investment in education, literacy, and opportunity,” said President Nygren. “This project strengthens the Navajo Nation’s ability to manage its own public library system while expanding access to resources for students, families, educators, and communities across the Navajo Nation.”
The project will support the Navajo Nation Library and its branch locations while creating a modern, user-friendly system designed to improve services, increase efficiency, and strengthen access to information for future generations.
