The document compares three free/open source integrated library management systems (ILMS): Koha, OpenBiblio, and PhpMyLibrary. It finds that Koha satisfies all functional requirements and scores highest in most modules like acquisition, cataloging, circulation, and serials control. While OpenBiblio and PhpMyLibrary are suitable for smaller libraries, they lack some modules. Free and open source ILMS offer libraries control over their systems without initial commercial software costs, and have all key features of proprietary systems. However, documentation and installation can sometimes be challenges. The author suggests librarians try open source options and get involved in their development.

1. Free/Open Source Integrated Library Management Systems Comaprative analysis of Koha, PhpMylibrary and OpenBiblio Vimal kumar Asian School of Business Technopark Trivandrum [email_address] 16 November 2005

2. Presentation will cover Need for Free/Open Source software. What is Free/Open Source software? Features of free software Features of open source software Integrated Library Management System (ILMS) Free/Open Source ILMS Koha, PhpMylibrary and OpenBiblio Findings Suggestions

3. Need for Free/Open Source software Cost of commercial software's is very high Commercial developers do not reveal the source code of their programs

4. What is Free/Open Source Software? Free/Open Source software is , software that users have the ability to run , distribute , study , and modify the program for any purpose.

5. 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

6. Features of Free Software GNU public license (GPL). Anybody can do anything with public domain works. 73 % of free softwares registered under GPL Licencse.

7. Features of Open Source software Historically evolved from free software. Open source grants 4 freedom (run, study, distribute and modify). Open Source Initiative License (OSI). Open Source has a copyright holder.

8. Integrated Library Management System (ILMS) “ an automated library system that is capable of managing the operations of more than one basic library functions” -UNESCO

9. Modules of library processes in a n ILMS Acquisition Cataloguing Circulation OPAC

10. Main objective Evaluation and examination of free/open source ILMS. To find a less costly and efficient library software.

11. 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

12. Free/Open Source ILMS Avanthi Circulation System Emilda FireFly Koha PhpMylibrary OpenBiblio WEBLIS OpenILS PhpMyBibli GNUTECA PMB Learning Access ILS FireFly

13. Koha OpenBiblio PhpMyLibrary

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

15. 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

16. Developer: Dave Stevens License: GNU General Public License (GPL) Operating System: Linux, Windows Programming Language: PHP Functional Modules: Acquisition, Cataloguing, Circulation Home Page: http://obiblio.sourceforge.net /

17. OpenBiblio features Barcode input web-based OPAC, circulation and management interfaces, MARC support, Online Reservations& Renewals, Barcode Generator Report Generator Interface customization

18. Developer: Polerio Babao License: GNU General Public License (GPL) Operating System: Linux, Windows Programming Language: PHP, PL/SQL, Python Functional Modules: Acquisition Cataloguing Circulation Home Page: www.phpmylibrary.org

19. PhpMyLibrary features web-based OPAC, circulation and management interfaces, MARC support, CDS/ISIS conversion Online Reservations& Renewals, Report Generator Interface customization

20. Methodology of the study Selection of free/open source ILMS Installation and running the softwares entering sample data Data collection using a checklist Scoring of software performance Computation of the performance of free/open source ILMS

21. Data collection list 1. ACQUISITION Selection of Items Duplicate checking Selection of Vendors Ordering Claiming Receipting Fund control Reports & statistics 2. CATALOGUING Recording Creation Duplicate checking Record editing Authority control Cataloguing copies Key word/ thesaurus generation Import & export of data 3.PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOGUE Normal search Advanced search Search strategies Status enquiry Print provision Prompts & Help massages Disposition of retrieval data Internet access Other catalogue forms 4.CIRCULATION Patron & Items files Setting parameters (Issue, return, renewal fees, fine etc) Issue and Return Fines & overdue notice Holds & recalls Reservations Renewal Short term loans Interlibrary loans Reports & statistics 5 SERIAL CONTROL Fund control Ordering Receipting Claiming Binding 6.Management information Tools for the analysis of statistical information 7.System maintenance User assistance (Manual/ literature) Security of records and files Up- gradation Customization

22. Scoring Scheme 0 Not available 1 Poor 2 Average 3 Good 4 Very good 5 Excellent

23. Acquisition –Analysed data 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 32 (80%) Total 40 0 0 4 Reports & Statistics 0 0 4 Fund Control 0 0 4 Receipting 0 0 4 Claiming 0 0 4 Ordering 0 0 5 Selection of Vendors 0 0 3 Duplicate checking 0 0 4 Selection of Items OpenBiblio PhpmyLibrary Koha Score Sub-functions

24. Cataloguing – Analysed data 16 (45.72%) 15 (42.86%) 26 (74.29%) Total 35 3 4 3 Export & Import Data 3 3 4 Keyword/ thesaurus generation 4 2 4 Cataloguing copies 0 0 3 Authority control 3 3 4 Record editing 0 0 3 Duplicate checking 3 3 5 Record creation OpenBiblio PhpMyLibrary Koha Score Sub functions

25. Circulation- Analysed data 29 (58%) 26 (52%) 40 (70%) Total 50 2 3 3 Reports & statistics 0 0 4 Interlibrary loans 0 0 3 Short term loans 4 3 4 Renewal 4 3 5 Reservations 4 3 3 Holds & recalls 4 3 4 Fines & overdue notices 4 4 5 Return 4 4 5 Setting parameters (Issue return, renewal, fees, fine, etc. 3 3 4 Patrons & Item files OpenBiblio PhpmyLibrary Koha Score Sub- functions

26. Serials Control: Analysed data 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 25 (100%) Total 25 0 0 5 Binding 0 0 5 Claiming 0 0 5 Receipting 0 0 5 Ordering 0 0 5 Fund control OpenBiblio PhpMyLibrary Koha Scores Sub- functions

27. Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC): analysed data 13 (28.89%) 31 (68.89%) 34 (75.56%) Total 45 0 3 4 Other catalogue form 5 5 5 Internet access 0 4 2 Disposition of retrieval data 1 1 2 Prompt & help messages 0 4 3 Print Provision 5 5 5 Status enquiry 0 3 4 Search strategies 0 3 4 Advanced search 2 3 5 Normal search OpenBiblio PhpMyLibrary Koha Scores Sub- functions

28. Management of information-Analysis of data 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 1 (20%) Total 5 0 0 1 Tools for analysis of statistical information OpenBiblio PhpMyLibrary Koha Score Sub- functions

29. System maintenance facilities- Analysis 11 (55%) 10 (50%) 17 (85%) Total 20 4 3 5 Customization 3 3 5 Up- gradation 3 3 4 Security of records & files 1 1 3 User assistance (manual/ literature) OpenBiblio PhpMyLibrary Koha Scores Sub- functions

30. Summary of Findings 13 31 34 Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) 0 0 25 Serial Control 69 (31.36%) 82 (37.27%) 173 (78.63%) Total 16 15 26 Cataloguing 11 10 17 System Maintenance Total 0 0 1 Information management 29 26 38 Circulation 0 0 32 Acquisition OpenBiblio PhpMyLibrary Koha Scores Functions/ sub- functions

31. Findings Koha satisfies all the functional requirements of a library management system. Acquisition and serial control are not available in PhpMyLibrary and OpenBiblio. PhpMylibrary and OpenBiblio are suitable for libraries with small collection. Free/Open Source softwares does not need the initial costs of commercial software. It enables libraries to have greater control over their computer environment. Free/Open Source ILMS have all the features of commercial system available in the market. Most of the free/open source ILMS are OS independent. Installation is the most difficult part in free/open source software. Documentation is not sufficient for free/open source library systems.

32. Suggestions Need for librarians to try with free/open source softwares. Need for constituting a committee consisting of librarians and computer professionals . Library professionals should be involved in the free/open source ILMS development projects

33. Thank you Vimal kumar Asian School of Business Thiruvananthapuram [email_address]