Paper presented on NILIS Symposium 2012

1. Application of Open-Source
Softwares in Library Functions and
Services: Experiences of Library
Network, EUSL
M. N. Ravikumar,
Senior Assistant Librarian
(Library Automation & E-Resources),
Main Library,
Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
T. Ramanan,
Senior Assistant Librarian
(Technical & Clients Services),
Main Library,
Eastern University, Sri Lanka
By:
Presented on NILIS Symposium 2012

2. The Library Network, EUSL:
Main
Library
FHCS
Library
Trinco Campus
Library
Institute of
Aesthetic Studies
Library (SVIAS)
1. Background

3. Users’ Growth :
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
2009 2010 2011 2012
Numbers
Year
Library Users - Students
Science Com. Mgt. Agric Arts
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
2009 2010 2011 2012
Numbers
Year
Library Users - Academics
Science Com Mgt Agric Arts
(Source: Library Development Plan 2012 -2025)
1. Background

4. Library System (2002) –
-Created using Microsoft Access 98
-Data entering, circulation, retrieving, user registration, cataloguing
and searching of records.
Issues faced;
-Periodical data could not be operated,
-No support for multi-user login, and
-No room for the OPAC.
2. Library Automation

5. LibSys Ver 4.0, (2009) –
-Commercial software purchased from UGC allocation
-includes all modules for library functions with OPAC
-Unlimited user login
-Unicode support for Tamil Language
-One week training offered by LibSys resource person
In addition, the library has bar-coded its collection and
EM tapes used to secure the materials
2. Library Automation

6. Post-Sale Services & Training –
-Obtaining timely post-sale services was not at satisfactory level
-The training given ,was not sufficient nor was it continuous
Financial issues –
- The library struggles to pay the annual post-sale services fee
or to upgrade the system
- Installation of the commercial ILS in the branch libraries,
requires separate license and payments
- Administrative barriers
3. Obstacle with current ILS

7. Technical issues –
- Data migration or import from other sources has been difficult
(MARC records)
- Unicode support is not uniform throughout the system
- Record searching do not interactive & produces more ‘noise’
- Report generation does not function properly
- OPAC could not be customized by the library according to its needs
3. Obstacle with current ILS

8. What is OSS ?
Software which is liberally licensed to grant the right of users to
study, change, and improve its design through the availability of
its source code - (Wikipedia).
 Free to use
 Free to change / modify
 Free to distribute
 An alternative to commercial software
4. Introduction of OSS

9. Why OSS ?
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is lower
- Cost Effectiveness
- Availability of Source Code
- High or equivalent quality, compare with propriety sotfwares
- Reduced Maintains Cost
- Legally Free
- Vendor independence
- Localization
4. Introduction of OSS

10. OSS in Library arena
-Phenomenal increase in the adoption of OSS in libraries,
- It is manifested in the principles of librarianship.
 Software is for use.
 Every computer its users.
 Every reader his source code
 Save the time of the user.
 A system is a growing organism
(Source: Blake Carver, modified Ranganathan's Rules for open
sources software, http://infomotions.com/musings/ossnlibraries/)
4. Introduction of OSS

11. Widely used OSS in library applications
Application Software
ILS KOHA, Evergreen, NGL, OpenBiblio
DL and Repositories Dspace, Eprints, Fedora, Greenstone
OPACs Vufind, SOPAC, Backlight
Content Management System Joomla, Drupal
Metasearch Resolver LibraryFind, CUFTS
Source: Mallikarjun Dora and Bulu Maharana (2008)
4. Introduction of OSS

12. Exploitation of OSS in SL University Libraries
67%
33%
D-Space Greenstone
OSS in DL
56%
22%
22%
LibSys Alice for Windows Koha
OSS in Automation
4. Introduction of OSS

13. OSS in Web designing
33%
45%
22%
Dreamweaver
Joomla
HTML/ CSS
Editor
4. Introduction of OSS
Exploitation of OSS in SL University Libraries

14. Library started exploiting OSS to automate in its branch libraries,
to overcome the problems entangled with commercial system.
First tried with Koha. Despite, it ventured another OSS alternative
called NewGenLib (NGL) and trialed in its three branch libraries.
DL services initiated using DSpace and Greenstone, for developing
digital repositories.
Library to exploit OSS is its website, which has been developed
applying Joomla ( CMS)
5. Endeavors on OSS by the Library Network, EUSL

15. OSS in library management helps to solve basic challenges faced by
proprietary ILS
Koha, NGL, DSpace, GSDL, E-prints are the most popular open
source softwares which are widely used in library business.
EUSL Library Network adopt the OSS alternatives to provide
uninterrupted library services.
Despite the benefits of OSS, it needs authentication through
constitutions, library legislation or standardization which could be
authorized by the UGC, Sri Lanka
More workshops required to help library professional to educate on
and learn about utilizing OSS in library arena.
6. Conclusion

16. References:
Dora, Mallikarjun. and Maharana, Bulu. (2008) ‘Open Source Movement in Indian
Libraries: An Analytical Study’. In: ETTLIS Proceedings 2008, International
Symposium, New Delhi, India. pp 181-189.
Joomla.Org., 2012. What is Joomla? [Online] Available at:
http://www.joomla.org/about-joomla.html [Accessed on 5 July 2012].
Kumar, V. Vimal. and Thomas, A. (2009) ‘Eight Things you should know about Open
Source Integrated Library Systems’. [Online]. eLiS, Retrieved from:
http://eprints.rclis.org/bitstream/10760/13858/1/20.pdf[Accessed on 15.10.2012].
MacCormack, A. (2003) ‘Evaluating Total Cost of Ownership for Software Platforms:
Comparing Apples, Oranges and Cucumbers’. AEI-Brookings Joint Center for
Regulatory Studies, mimeo. Retrieved from: http://regulation2point0.org/wp-
content/plugins/download-monitor/download.php?id=168 [Accessed on
01.10.2012].

17. Meng, Tan Tze. (2003) ‘The Case for Open Source: OSS vs. Proprietary Software.’
Cospa Knowledge Base, 14.
Open-source software, (2012) The Open Source definition. [Online] Retrieved from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_software [Accessed on 31.09.2012].
Ramanan, T. and Ravikumar, M.N. (2012) ‘Exploitation of Open-Source Software in
Library Automation, Digital Library Initiatives and Library Consortium:
Possibilities and Problems in University Libraries in Sri Lanka’. In: ETLIS 2012
Proceedings, 3rd International Symposium: future of libraries in digital age.
Guna MP, India, 26-27 Oct 2012. KBD Publications: New Delhi. pp 213-220.
Tennat, Roy. (2000) ‘The Role of Open Source Software’. Library Journal, Retrieved
from: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA156513.html [Accessed on 1
18.10.2012].
References: