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

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

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

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

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