Koha

Vimal kumar V Asst. Librarian Asian School of Business Technopark,Trivandrum Workshop on Koha November 17, 2008 Mahatma Gandhi University Library, Kottayam

Presentation will cover

Need for Free/Open Source software.

What is Free/Open Source software?

Features of free software

Integrated Library Management System (ILMS)

Free/Open Source ILMS

Koha

Need for Free/Open Source software

Cost of commercial software's is very high

Commercial developers do not reveal the source code

Popular commercial ILMS Rs. 50,000 SOUL Rs. 3,50,000 Alice for WINDOWS Rs. 4,50,000 LibSys Rs. 4,50,000 Libsuite Appoximate Price Name

What is Free/Open Source Software?

Free/Open Source software is a computer software whose source code is available under a license that permits users to use , change , and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified form. It is often developed in a public, collaborative manner.

(Wikipedia)

Features of Free Software

the freedom to run the program, for any purpose

the freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to local needs

the freedom to redistribute copies so others can benefit from the software

the freedom to improve the program, and release the improved version to the public,

so that the community can benefit

(The Free Software Foundation)

Open Licenses

GNU General Public License (GPL)

Mozilla Public License

Creative Commons

BSD License

Apache Software License

GNU Free Documentation License

History of Free/Open Source Software

1984 Richard Stallman formed Free Software Foundation (FSF).

1991 Linus Torvalds developed Linux

1994 Red Hat (commercial Linux) company founded.

1998 “Open Source Initiative” was formed

Integrated Library Management System (ILMS)

“ an automated library system that is capable of managing the operations of more than one basic library functions”

-UNESCO

Modules of library processes in a n ILMS

Acquisition

Cataloguing

Serial Management

Circulation

OPAC

Free/Open Source ILMS

Avanthi Circulation System

Emilda

FireFly

Koha

PhpMylibrary

OpenBiblio

WEBLIS

OpenILS

PhpMyBibli

GNUTECA

PMB

Learning Access ILS

NewGenLib

Why Koha?

Full-featured ILS

Library standards compliant

Web based interfaces

Free software

No Vendor Lock in

Active development process

Community decides what they want

History

Horowhenua Library Trust

Katipo Communications

first deployed in January of 2000

LibLime

License: The GNU General Public License Developer: Horowhenua Library Trust, New Zealand Operating System: Linux, Windows, Mac Functional Modules: Acquisition Cataloguing, Circulation, Serial Control, OPAC. Home Page: www.koha.org

Koha features web-based OPAC, circulation and management interfaces, MARC21 and UNIMARC support, Z39.50 server, Online Reservations& Renewals, E-mail Overdue Notifications. Virtual Shelves Barcode Generator

Technical Requirements

OS - Linux, Windows, Mac OS

Programming Language- Perl

Database- MySQL

Webserver- Apache

How Koha Works? Perl Script MySQL Database Server Library Network

Koha Support Koha documentation Discussion forums Wiki Chat Blogs Commercial support -data migration -hosting -customization -development

What is your commitment? Find bugs Find usability problems Suggest new features Review and inspect source code Submit source code Writing Documentation responding to other users’ questions

Future of KOHA