Walla Walla Public Library Launches Aspen Discovery with ByWater Solutions

The library's 10-year Koha partner now offers patrons a fresh online experience during upcoming renovations.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Walla Walla Public Library in Washington has gone live on the Aspen Discovery platform with support from ByWater Solutions, a leading provider of open-source library technology. The library, which has used Koha with ByWater's support for over a decade, is implementing Aspen to enhance its online presence during an upcoming building renovation that will temporarily impact in-person access.

Why it matters

The move to Aspen Discovery allows Walla Walla Public Library to offer its community a more modern and engaging online experience, including improved browsing of digital collections, while the physical library space is under construction. This helps the library maintain strong community connections during a disruptive renovation period.

The details

ByWater Solutions completed the Aspen Discovery implementation, providing the library with customized setup and training. Aspen's features, like format grouping and cover displays, will make it easier for patrons to discover and access the library's digital resources, including its Palace and Kanopy collections.

  • Walla Walla Public Library has used Koha with ByWater's support for over 10 years.
  • The library is moving into a temporary, smaller space for a year during an extensive building renovation.

The players

Walla Walla Public Library

A public library in Walla Walla, Washington that has partnered with ByWater Solutions for over a decade to use the Koha open-source integrated library system.

ByWater Solutions

An open-source community contributor and leading provider of support for open-source library technologies, including Koha and Aspen Discovery.

Alexis Rodegerdts

The Support Services Librarian at Walla Walla Public Library.

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What they’re saying

“Walla Walla Public Library has used Koha with ByWater's consistent support for over 10 years. We are on the cusp of moving into a much smaller, temporary space for a year during an extensive building renovation. While typical library access will be impacted during this time, we wanted to offer the community the best possible interaction with the collection online. We love the fresh look Aspen provides, including the easier ability to browse appealing cover displays. Even better, the format grouping allows broader exposure to our Palace and Kanopy collections, and helps patrons more quickly find available formats. This will go a long way toward keeping the community connected to library resources during the renovation.”

— Alexis Rodegerdts, Support Services Librarian (ByWater Solutions)

What’s next

The library plans to continue supporting its community during the renovation by providing the best possible online experience through the new Aspen Discovery platform.

The takeaway

Walla Walla Public Library's move to Aspen Discovery demonstrates how open-source library technologies can help institutions adapt and maintain strong community connections, even during disruptive facility changes.