Open Source Integrated Library Systems

Carolyn DorseyJessica NgJing Yang

Sarah ElichkoJennifer Pettigrew

October 15, 2009

-Freedom to run program for any purpose

-Freedom to make changes

-Freedom to redistribute copies

-Freedom to improve and release improvements

4 Basic Components of Open Source Software

Free as in freedom, not price

Issue Proprietarysoftware

Open sourcesoftwareSource code Not available Available

Form of software Binary only Binary and source

Who can make changes?

Only developer and designates

Anyone who uses the software

Sharing the software

Any form of sharing or reselling is not allowed

Users may share the software

Major terms of open source software and

proprietary licenses

Operating system

Server

Database

Programminglanguage

Many Open Source applications

are based on L.A.M.P.

Proprietary Open Source

Many open source business models fall within

the ends of this spectrum

Some software licenses allow for transition to proprietary licenses

Some business models rely on value added services, such ascustomizing software for particular customers or offering fee based product and/or developer support for customers

Open Source Software Support

• Conversion services• Installation• Configuration• Training• Ongoing Support• Custom Development• Hosting

o Software-as-a-service (SaaS)

Vendor/Product Independence

• Open Source vs Proprietary

• Cost factors

• Advantages

• Disadvantages

•Collaborative Development o Wide participation in ongoing developmento Ultimate goal: Benefiting all users of the

software.

•Sponsored Developmento Advancement of open source ILS productso Idea of “paid for only once for the benefit

of many”

Major Open Source ILS Products

Example of Koha ILS System

Koha's Market

• Koha is the first open-source Integrated Library System

 • Targeting Libraries:

     - Small to mid-sized public libraries;      - Small to mid-sized academic libraries,  museums, special libraries;      - Gradual penetration into libraries of increasing size and complexity.

Koha’s History• The initial development

- Sponsored by the HLT Libraries (3 small libraries) in New Zealand, 1999. • The development of mandatory components

- Sponsored by the Nelsonville Public Library (mid-sized) in Ohio, 2002.

• The integration of the Zebra

- Sponsored by the Crawford County Library System (a 9- library consortia ) in Pennsylvania, 2007.

• Formed in 2005

• By individuals from Nelsonville Public Library.

• Devoted to Koha and other open source software for libraries.

• Revenue from services.

Features and Functionality

• Support almost all of the ILS standards: Unicode 3.0, Z39.50, MARC21, Dublin Core, etc. • Basic Functionalities: - Support for Consortia - Online Catalog - Circulation - Cataloging

• Complex Functionalities: - Acquisitions - Serial Control

Evergreen Integrated Library System

• Evergreen is an open-source ILS for managing collections, circulation, cataloging, and public catalogs (OPAC).  It includes public and staff clients.

Why was Evergreen created?

• In 2005, the Georgia Public Library System (GPLS) encountered many problems with its commercial ILS: o difficulty with handling large volumes of transactionso trouble handling many simultaneous userso inadequate flexibility for individual library needs o complicated interfaces hindering staff and public use

 • Evergreen FAQ: "A few of the vendors GPLS met with

admitted that they couldn't handle PINES' requirements, and didn't want to try."

 •  GPLS decided to design a system around their own needs,

emphasizing stability, flexibility, and user-friendliness.

• Now used by more than 300 libraries of all types: academic, public, and special.

Features: • Circulation: 

o flexible policy control (by patron, library, item, etc.)

o offline client for circulation during network downtime

• Cataloging:o easy batch creation of records across branches

(centralized cataloging)

• OPAC:o "Did you mean?" correction feature in search

 

Evergreen in Action:

Want to use Evergreen in your library?

• Equinox Softwareo Equinox Software handles software

migration, installation, ongoing technical support, system hosting, and custom software.

o Founded and run by the creators of Evergreen.

• Do It Yourselfo All staff and public modules can be

downloaded for free from the Evergreen website, 

             http://www.evergreen-ils.org/

Open Source Library Automation System

• Developed by Media Flex

• Designed for K-12 school districts, individual school libraries, church & synagogue libraries through SaaS (service-as-a-software approach)

• Benefits: Media Flex provides server hardware & technical support

• http://www.mediaflex.net/showcase.jsp?n=OPALS%99&product_number=F05800

 Example of OPALS

• Developed in India by the Kesavan Institute of Information & Knowledge Management and Versus Solutions

• Designed for libraries in the developing world

• Benefits: Lower Cost

• http://www.verussolutions.biz/web/

 NewGenLib

Example of NewGenLib

Conclusions

• Open Source ILS are a small percentage of library automation systems

• Many of these libraries contract with a vendor

• Open Source is gaining international interest

Questions or Comments