Open Source Integrated Library Systems Carolyn Dorsey Jessica Ng Jing Yang Sarah Elichko Jennifer 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 Proprietary software Open source software Major terms of open source software and proprietary licenses Source 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

Operating system Server Database Programming language 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 as customizing 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 Software-as-a-service (SaaS)

Open Source Software Support

Conversion services

Installation

Configuration

Training

Ongoing Support

Custom Development

Hosting

Software-as-a-service (SaaS)

Vendor/Product Independence Open Source vs Proprietary Cost factors Advantages Disadvantages

Vendor/Product Independence

Open Source vs Proprietary

Cost factors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Collaborative Development Wide participation in ongoing development Ultimate goal: Benefiting all users of the software. Sponsored Development Advancement of open source ILS products Idea of “paid for only once for the benefit of many”

Collaborative Development

Wide participation in ongoing development

Ultimate goal: Benefiting all users of the software.

Sponsored Development

Advancement of open source ILS products

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 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.

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 .

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

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.

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: difficulty with handling large volumes of transactions trouble handling many simultaneous users inadequate flexibility for individual library needs 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.

Why was Evergreen created?

In 2005, the Georgia Public Library System (GPLS) encountered many problems with its commercial ILS:

difficulty with handling large volumes of transactions

trouble handling many simultaneous users

inadequate flexibility for individual library needs

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: flexible policy control (by patron, library, item, etc.) offline client for circulation during network downtime Cataloging: easy batch creation of records across branches (centralized cataloging) OPAC: "Did you mean?" correction feature in search

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

Features:

Circulation:

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

offline client for circulation during network downtime

Cataloging:

easy batch creation of records across branches (centralized cataloging)

OPAC:

"Did you mean?" correction feature in search

Evergreen in Action:

Want to use Evergreen in your library? Equinox Software Equinox Software handles software migration, installation, ongoing technical support, system hosting, and custom software. Founded and run by the creators of Evergreen. Do It Yourself All staff and public modules can be downloaded for free from the Evergreen website, http://www.evergreen-ils.org/

Equinox Software

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

Founded and run by the creators of Evergreen.

Do It Yourself

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

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

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/

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

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