The document discusses open source software (OSS) and its use and evolution in libraries. It provides background on important OSS projects like Linux, Apache, and MySQL. It outlines reasons why libraries use OSS, including cost savings. The document examines specific OSS solutions for libraries, such as the integrated library systems Koha and Evergreen. It also notes that commercial entities have become involved in developing and supporting some OSS projects.

1. Open Source Software in Libraries Alisa Surkis GSLIS 756 December 10, 2009

2. What is Open Source Software? Freedoms Run program for any purpose Modify code to suit purposes Redistribute code Release modified code to public GNU License Copyleft

3. Evolution of OSS Once the hackers roamed the earth… Unix: Owned by AT&T, development at Berkeley Commercialization of software in 1970s Richard Stallman GNU Project in 1983 Free Software Foundation in 1985 Linux 10 downloads, 5 bug fixes in 1991 20,000 users worldwide in 1993

4. The infrastructure of OSS L inux: Operating system A pache: Web server M ySQL: Relational database management system P HP: Scripting language

5. Why use OSS? Free Startup vs. Ongoing Customizable In house Outsourcing Sustainable Critical Mass Orphaned Code

6. OSS in libraries How does it get there? Dissatisfaction with existing products/ Promise of new product Budget concerns Enthusiasm for Open Source Software

7. Open Source Public Workstations Three models Linux/Ubuntu based terminals Multi-user workstations Thin Server using Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP) Advantages Cost savings Security Energy savings

8. Useful Software for Libraries Linux, Ubuntu Operating system OpenOffice Productivity Suite Firefox Web browser Moodle Course management system Zotero Online citation manager WordPress, Content management systems Drupal, Joomla

9. Library Specific OSS Solutions ‡ biblios Browser-based cataloging service LibX Toolbar customization (for use with Firefox) GetIt Browser-based library acquisitions LOCKSS, Ex Libris Digital Preservation Systems LibraryFind Federated Search Engine Scriblio CMS and OPAC (based on WordPress) Library à la carte Custom CMS for libraries Koha, Evergreen ILS Opals, NewGenLib

10. Open Source ILS Koha New Zealand 3 small libraries 2000 Small to mid-sized public libraries or academic libraries & some libraries of increasing size/complexity. Over 1000 users Evergreen Georgia Public Library System. 266 libraries 2006 Consortia of public libraries; individual librarie (SaaS). Interest from academic libraries. Hundreds of users NewGenLib India at of Kesavan Institute of Information and Knowledge Management 2008 Libraries in the developing world Handful OPALS Collaboration of 6 upstate New York school systems 300 school libraries 2003 School districts or school district consortia. Usually large consortial implementations or SaaS. Handful

11. Koha An example of OSS development Development began in late 90s Three libraries in NZ 30k patrons, 80k books In use 1/1/00 First Open Source ILS at a US public library Nelsonville, OH, 62k patrons, 250k books Added MARC In use 8/02 Scalabililty issue conquered Meadville, PA system 1/3 larger than Nelsonville LibLime created version with faster indexing technology. In use early 5/07 Koha now has more than 1,000 users worldwide

12. Open $ource $oftware Behind every great program is somebody trying to make a buck off of it. Linux (RedHat) Drupal (Acquia) WordPress (Automattic) Ubuntu (Canonical) OPALS (MediaFlex) Koha ( LibLime ) Evergreen ( Enterprise )

13. Which can lead to… LibLime (Koha): Some open source software users are more equal than others. LibLime press release Equinox (Evergreen): Stick with us, we’re the good guys. The Equinox Promise

14. The future of OSS in libraries Firefox: 16% to 25% market share in past two years WordPress used by over 200 million websites worldwide Evergreen: Public release in 2006 Hundreds of users today Koha : Began in 2000 at three small libraries, Over 1000 users worldwide Overcoming FUD

15. References Bisson, C., West, J., & Eby, R. (2007). Open-Source Software for Libraries. Library Technology Reports, 43 (3). Breeding, M. (2008). Open Source Integrated Library Systems. Library Technology Reports, 44 (8). Free Software Foundation (FSF). (2009). The Free Software Definition - GNU Project. GNU Operating System. Retrieved December 10, 2009, from http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html. Houser, J. (2009). Open Source Public Workstations in Libraries. Library Technology Reports, 45 (3). LibLime Announces LibLime Enterprise Koha — LibLime. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 10, 2009, from http://www.liblime.com/news/liblime-announces-liblime-enterprise-koha. The Equinox Promise: An Open Letter to the Evergreen Community « Equinox Blog. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 10, 2009, from http://blog.esilibrary.com/2009/09/16/the-equinox-promise/. The GNU Operating System. (2009). GNU Operating System . Retrieved December 10, 2009, from http://www.gnu.org/ .