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LTR: Open Source Integrated Library Systems
1. Open Source Integrated Library Systems Carolyn Dorsey Jessica Ng Jing Yang Sarah Elichko Jennifer Pettigrew October 15, 2009
2. -Freedom to run program for any purpose -Freedom to make changes -Freedom to redistribute copies -Freedom to improve and release improvements 4 Basic Components of Open Source Software Free as in freedom, not price
3. Issue Proprietary software Open source software Major terms of open source software and proprietary licenses Source code Not available Available Form of software Binary only Binary and source Who can make changes? Only developer and designates Anyone who uses the software Sharing the software Any form of sharing or reselling is not allowed Users may share the software
4. Operating system Server Database Programming language Many Open Source applications are based on L.A.M.P.
5. Proprietary Open Source Many open source business models fall within the ends of this spectrum Some software licenses allow for transition to proprietary licenses Some business models rely on value added services, such as customizing software for particular customers or offering fee based product and/or developer support for customers
1. Another type of open source software for integrated library systems is called Open Source Library Automation System or OPALS, which was originally developed by the company Media Flex back in 2003 for 6 school districts within New York State. 2. OPALS is designed to handle school district and individual school library systems as well as church and synagogue libraries. 3. One of the main benefits of paying Media Flex an annual subscription fee to use OPALS is that Media Flex provides the system hardware, and installs, configures, and maintains the automation software. 4. Therefore, libraries do not need to invest their time in hardware-purchasing decisions or have to hire a technical staff to maintain OPALS.
This screen shot is an example of how the South Central Organization of School Library Systems in New York State uses OPALS to automate their library system.
An example of how open source integrated library systems is being used outside of North America is the open source library automation system, NewGenLib. NewGenLib was released in India back in 2008 by the non-profit professional organization, Kesavan Institute of Information and Knowledge Management, and the commercial software firm, Versus Solutions. 3. NewGenLib is designed to be a lower cost solution for library automation systems in the developing world. 4. At the time this report was published, 122 libraries used NewGenLib.
This screen shot displays the online library catalog for two libraries in India that are part of the same network that uses NewGenLib.
To conclude, only a small percentage of libraries have adopted open source integrated library systems in North America and many of these libraries decide to contract with a vendor. 2. As future librarians and information specialists we can expect that more libraries within North America and the world will continue to adopt open source integrated library systems.
