Use of Open Source Software in Libraries for Automation and Networking

ByAshok Kumar Satapathy

Asst. Librarian, Library Head,International Management Institute (IMI),IDCO Plot No. 1, Gothapatna, Malipada,

Bhubaneswar – 750 003,E-mail: ashoksatapathy@yahoo.com

KVS, No.1, Bhubaneswar 15.09.2012

To be discussed…IntroductionWhy Open Source SoftwareScopeObjectivesOpen Source Software in LibrariesHistorical developments of OSSNewGenLibNewGenLib and its FeaturesConclusion

INTRODUCTION

Library is dedicated to provide accurate & in-time services to its user. The motto of the library is to serve the users community pro-actively. In order to attain the needs of the users, library has to implement techno-economic products to improve the service quality.OSS is a societal product & a gratis of gift for LIS professionals to meet the call of the ICT age. Avoiding proprietary software and adapting OSS is a challenge faced by the organizations as well as the LIS professionals in the contemporary ICT era.

“WHY” OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

There are gamut of commercial Automation Packages were available in the market, but adapting OSS is a challenging job for LIS professionals.It is unanimously comprehend that, OSS support the financial and techno-economical aspect of any organization. How the LIS professionals take the advantage of this Open Source Movement and prove themselves as pro-active and efficient.Before implementation we should have a complete feasibility study over the concept of Open Source Software, there support and popularity, etc.

SCOPE

Much earlier the movement has been started;We professionals should do our responsibility to prove our innate professionalism and support the financial backbone of any organization. Support will not provided; it will be generated and circulated by request.

OBJECTIVES

Provide techno-economical support to the organization and achieve the target of professionalism as a LIS professional.Identify the information collection, organize, store and retrieve the digital forms of bibliographic information.Sharing your experience on OSS with other professionals to work over it and take the advantages of the emerging Free/OSS trends.

Open Source Software in LibrariesAt present various OSS available in the market (society) specific for library. For example:

OS: Linux (Ubuntu, fedora, etc.)Apache: Web-server software;OpenOffice: Office suit like MS Office;Library Automation Packages: NewGenLib, KOHA, Open Biblio, etc.Library Digitation Package (Digital Library): Dspace, Green Stone, E-Prints, etc.Web Designing: Joomla, Drupal, etc. & Lots more…

Historical developments of OSSOne of the earliest research institute to use and study

computers was the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). During 1958 the Artificial Intelligence (AI) lab was founded and became one of the birthplace of computer science & computer culture.

During 1960 a subculture was developed among the computer professional hobbyist to programming and studying these machine. They called themselves Hackers. This community develop the culture of sharing. Important values of the community were freedom, intelligence, technical skills, and interest in the possibilities of the computers while secrecy and mathematical skills were locked down.

Philosophy of OSS

The Open Source Philosophy says

• Free to run the software for any purpose;

• Free to modify the software to suit their needs;

• Free to redistribute of the software gratis or for a fee;

• Free to distribute modified versions of the software;

NewGenLib

NewGenLib is an integrated library management system developed by Verus Solutions Pvt Ltd. Domain expertise is provided by Kesavan Institute of Information and Knowledge Management, Hyderabad, India.It became an open source product under GNU GPL in January 2008.All modules like acquisitions, serials management, cataloging, circulation, and OPAC, etc. were web based.Java in frontend and back-end database as PostgreSQL.

FEATURES OF NGLFreedom: Available under GNU GPL;Functional modules are completely web based;Supports international standards such as MARC-21, AACR-2, UNICODE, XML and Dublin Core;Allow multilingual data entry, storage and retrieval in Indian languages;Use mostly open source components, Scalable, manageable and efficient;z39.50 Client for federated searching;OS independent – NGL can run on Windows and Linux platform

Contd…

RFID integration;Networking – Hierarchical and Distributed networks;Email/SMS/instant messaging/twitter/Android compatible is the special functions of the software;Form letters are configurable and use XML-based OpenOffice templates;Extensive use of set-up parameters enabling easy configuration of the software to suit specific needs, e.g. in defining patron privileges;Supports multi-user and multiple security levels

NGL INTRAFACE

OPAC

Relevant Links

• http://www.verussolutions.biz/web/

• http://sourceforge.net/

• http://oss-watch.ac.uk

• http://oss4lib.org/

CONCLUSIONNewGenLib is free to all. The existence of the software is possible due to the professional challenges and day to day developmental activities of the developer community. NGL is an integrated library automation package, all modules are comprehensive and compatible. The package was tested locally, since last 5 years and implemented as many as 4 to 5 reputed academic institutions in Odisha.

It is a challenging aspect for adoption of OSS and its development as a LIS professional. The concept of open culture, welcome all the professionals to render their active participation & contribute for the development of professionalism and professional output.

NewGenLib developer community provides online as well as off line support for training, technical help, and annual maintenance etc. Be a part of the open source movement and enhance the excellence of professionalism.