Open Source, the ILS, and the
Opportunity of Engagement
Randy Metcalfe
eIFL.net

In this talk
• Overview of what FOSS is and its possible
significance
• FOSS in/for libraries
• Integrated Library Systems (ILS)
• Engagement
• eIFL‐FOSS ILS project
• Questions and contact details

Randy Metcalfe
• eIFL‐FOSS Program Manager
• eIFL.net (Electronic Information For Libraries)
• Working with national library consortia in 48+
developing and transition countries
• eIFL.net programs: IP, OA, FOSS, Negotiations,
Consortium Building, Knowledge Sharing
http://www.eifl.net/

FOSS
Free and Open Source Software (FOSS):
• Freedom to run the program for any purpose
• Freedom to study how the program works and adapt it
to your needs
• Freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your
neighbour
• Freedom to improve the program and release your
improvements to the public so that the whole
community benefits

It starts with a licence
• Software begins as text
• Text is copyright
• A copyright licence sets out the conditions of
use
• A permissive licence can be crafted to sustain
and promote the freedom to run, study,
adapt, redistribute, and modify the original
text or source code

It becomes a community
• FOSS is software released under a permissive licence
• FOSS is usually developed in an open and communal
fashion
• FOSS may be accessed and deployed at no cost
• FOSS is typically supported by a community of users
and developers
• Enterprise‐level FOSS is also typically supported by
companies, small and large, that will provide support
contracts

The significance of FOSS
• Access to the source code enables us to learn from
the work of others
• Freedom to modify the code enables us to build on
the work of others
• Freedom to distribute our modified code allows the
process of learning and growth to be iterative
• Natural tendency toward communal development to
leverage efficiency from shared goals

FOSS in Libraries
• Web servers (Apache)
• Databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL)
• Operating system (Linux)
• Web browser (Firefox)
• Content management system (Drupal, Plone)
• Learning management system (Moodle, Sakai)

FOSS for Libraries
• Institutional repositories (Dspace, ePrints,
Fedora)
• Digital collections (Greenstone)
• Integrated library system (Evergreen, Koha,
NewGenLib, ABCD)
• Resolvers (CUFTS)
• OPAC (VuFind, Blacklight, Fac‐Back‐Opac)

FOSS impact on libraries
engagement
use

Integrated Library System
• Cornerstone of any modern automated library
• Cataloguing
• Circulation
• Acquisitions
• Patron management
• Serials
• OPAC
• Prominent proprietary offerings available
• Licence fee
• Limited flexibility
• Pace of change
• Support

Attraction of a FOSS ILS
• Cost
• No licence fee
• Communal and/or commercial support
• Vibrant user community of librarians helping each
other
• Commercial support for migration and maintenance, if
required
• Localization (i.e. language of interface)
• Adaptability

Challenge of a FOSS ILS
• Cost
• Real costs (e.g. staff, hardware) do not change
• May require greater staff commitment (depending on
level of engagement)
• Communal support may require new skills
• Commercial support limited?
• Adaptability: “We are librarians, not software
developers!”
• Change costs

Engagement
• Full engagement as a co‐developer of your ILS
is not for everyone, nor need it be
• Find the level of engagement that is right for
you
• Your level of engagement is not tied to your
use of commercial support

Tips for engagement
1. You are a member of a community
2. Be a patient, participant‐observer
3. Read the available documentation
4. Join the user mailing list and read the mail
archive
5. Learn how to ask a question first
6. Help others when you can

eIFL‐FOSS: the program
• Advocates FOSS use in libraries
• Raises awareness and understanding of FOSS
• Facilitates engagement with FOSS development
communities
• Undertakes projects to deploy FOSS solutions,
enhance skills, and build capacity

Projects
• ILS project
• Greenstone Support Network
• LTSP documentation
• Skills and tools enhancement workshops

ILS Project
• Piloting and evaluating 2 FOSS ILSs (Koha and
Evergreen) in 7 countries:
• Armenia
• Georgia
• Palestine
• Nepal
• Mali
• Malawi
• Zimbabwe

Engagement in practice
• Email discussion lists
• IRC channels
• Localization
• Problem solving
• Ongoing support

Teamwork

Localization
Fundamental Scientific Library of the National
Academy of Sciences, Armenia

Project learning points
• Learning how to ask for help on the email lists
• Cultural barriers
• Linguistic barriers
• Technical limitations
• Some skills and tools use in the FOSS community are
taken for granted
• Easier to gain new skills as part of a team
• Contributing code developments can be even harder
than learning how to ask for help
• Time is a finite resource

Takeaways
• Knowledge of what FOSS is and what it means
• Appreciation that FOSS has a key role in and
for libraries
• There are viable FOSS ILSs
• You determine your own level of engagement
with a FOSS ILS project
• You are part of community, and there is help
available if you ask for it (nicely)

Questions?

Further information
• eIFL.net http://www.eifl.net/
• eIFL‐FOSS http://www.eifl.net/cps/sections/services/eifl‐foss
• Blog http://www.eifl.net/cps/sections/services/eifl‐foss/foss‐blog
• Email list http://www.eifl.net:8080/mailman/listinfo/eiflfoss
• Email: randy.metcalfe[@]eifl.net
Photo credits: all photos by Randy Metcalfe, used with permission.