The Issue: Open Source Systems in Libraries

Many libraries of today spend multiple thousands of dollars in online computer library catalogs (OCLCs) online public access catalogs (OPACs). Here are few of the issues that libraries must spend money on:

• Software Licensing Fees
• Service and maintenance costs
• Privately owned word processing programs
  

Most of us have heard of Microsoft Works, Internet Explorer and other handy packages from Microsoft or other companies -- ie, Adobe Photoshop. They are generally very reliable programs, but come with a hefty price.

The goal of open source software is to provide a free alternative to expensive software. Libraries on a tight budget sometimes need to cut funding from any endeavor to expand their computer resources. Open source programs allow these libraries the opportunity to fulfill the needs of their patrons without emptying their pockets.

A few examples of popular open source software:

• OpenOffice
• Mozilla Firefox
• GIMP
• Linux
• Koha

In sum, the mission of this blog is to help web browsers understand how open source systems and software work, and whether or not they should give them a try in their library - or even their own homes.

Open Sources Useful to Libraries

As mentioned in the previous post, there are several optional standard programs that libraries might be interested in to save some money. Since integrated library systems (ILS) are among those which cost the most, this post will primarily focus upon them.

Several open source ILSes are available for your perusal, including Koha, Evergreen and OpenBiblio. For your benefit, I will give brief summaries of each:

Koha:

Developed in New Zealand, this ILS began it all. Koha was the first open source ILS to be put into use worldwide. It functions very well in libraries of all sizes, and includes "modules for circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, serials, reserves, patron management, branch relationships, and more." The system translates easily from one database type to the next. and its features include the standard languages of java, css, and xhtml.

Due to its nature as open source software, there are no telephone operators at the ready to answer any questions relating to Koha troubleshooting. Instead, there is an IRC chat client that is linked to via the Koha website under "free support." The Koha Wiki includes a plethora of helpful tips. In addition to these options, plenty of tutorials are available on the website. As the oldest open source ILS, Koha has had ample time to prepare resources for assistance and general guidance.

Evergreen:

The Evergreen ILS is another system that is easily adaptable to any library, large or small. One of its key ingredients is the ability to integrate a consortium of libraries, probably due to the fact that it was developed within a vast conglomeration of libraries in Georgia (the Georgia Public Library Service). There is even a term called the "Evergreen Effect" that supports the notion that resources are shared between libraries more with Evergreen than with a company-based ILS.

Like Koha, Evergreen's code is viewable to any who wishes to read or modify it for their own uses. Of course, one would need to understand the language in order to get their ideas to function in the Evergreen landscape. It does not require a host server, but offers the assistance of Equinox - a paid service - to whom Evergreen turns for development tips.

OpenBiblio:

From a look at this ILS's website, it is evident that OpenBiblio is still a work in progress - as are both others, but more so in this case. Due to its status as a wiki, the OpenBiblio homepage itself is modifiable and therefore open source in its purest sense. The ILS was written in PHP and contains an "OPAC, circulation, cataloging, and staff administration functionality" and "an intuitive interface with broad category tabs."

OpenBiblio is also multi-lingual, which can be seen on its download page at http://sourceforge.net/projects/obiblio/. The wiki portion of the site offers documentation that acts as a how-to installation guide as well as a tutorial for various aspects of the system. Open sources are constantly being updated, which is duly noted with patch installation guides and a dedicated forum.

References:

"Koha - Open Source ILS - Integrated Library System." Welcome to koha.org!. 2009. LibLime & the Koha Development Team, Web. 8 Dec 2009.

"Koha Developer Wiki." Koha Wiki. 8 Dec 2009. CC Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, Web. 8 Dec 2009. .

"Georgia Public Library Service." Georgia Public Library Service. 2009. Georgia Public Library Service, Web. 8 Dec 2009. .

"Welcome: Evergreen open source library system." Evergreen. 2008. Georgia Public Library System, Web. 8 Dec 2009. .

"Main / OpenBiblio browse." OpenBiblio: A Library System That's Free. 26 8 2009. Sourceforge.net, Web. 8 Dec 2009.


"Help." 27 9 2004. Online Posting to OpenBiblio. Web. 10 Dec 2009.

What does "open source" mean?

So this blog is about open sources. What does that even mean?? Open sources in nature are oceans and river deltas that we can dive into without any end in sight. The world-wide-web was initially an open source, and still is to a certain extent. In the world of technology, open sources entail software that is available to everyone without price - no strings attached. In addition, these systems are open to revisions and updates by anyone. They are in a state of constant flux, and always being updated.

What browser are you using to view this blog? Is it Safari, or Internet Explorer? If so, you have paid a fee in order to use it, one way or another. There is a popular alternative that is constantly being updated in order to avoid viruses. It is called "Mozilla Firefox," and offers the same user-friendly convenience as other web browers - but without the cost.

In fact, this blog itself is open source. I paid no money to begin it, and anyone may feel free to peruse and comment upon it to their heart's content without paying a cent. Getting the idea? Open sources are available to anyone with the ability to run the software/programs on their computer systems. There is nothing in it for me by starting this blog, and there can be no "selling point" for something that is open source. One could think of it as public broadcasting for the internet.

Another popular service offered by Microsoft or Lotus is the word processor/spreadsheet/etc. combination package. For those who love these programs but cannot afford to pay for them - especially for an entire library's worth of computers - a viable and convenient option is OpenOffice. Their website includes a page that lists the many benefits of using OpenOffice instead of private labels. The OpenOffice package includes "word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics," and is available in many languages. For patrons who enter the library with files saved in a Microsoft or other common type of format, OpenOffice is able to open those files. For those who use OpenOffice but need to save it as another type of format - i.e. Microsoft's many versions - they are easily able to do so.

There are nearly as many open source programs as there are company-based. For a full list of these programs for Windows, check out the OSSwin Project. A site dedicated to open source software for Apple can be found at Open Source Mac.

References:

"A simple list of free, open-source software for Mac OS X.." Open Source Mac. Worcester, LLC, Web. 8 Dec 2009. .

Vandewoestyne, Bart. "Open Source for Windows!." The OSSwin Project. 6 Mar 2008. Sourceforge.net, Web. 8 Dec 2009. .

"The Free and Open Productivity Site." Open Office. 11 Sep 2009. Collabnet, Web. 10 Dec 2009. .

Charting the Open Source Course

... just because it could not hurt to have a handy little chart of open source systems and their for-profit doppelgangers. I have to give credit Kym Buchanan and Basha Krasnoff at Knowledge Quest for the idea!

Reference:

Buchanan, Kym, and Basha Krasnoff. "Can Open Source Software Save School Libraries Time and Money?." Knowledge Quest Jan/Feb 2005: 32-34. Web. 8 Dec 2009. .