Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss key issues related to the adoption of open source software (OSS) in Pakistani libraries. Design/methodology/approach -Literature review and principal author's first-hand experience of Koha (OSS) implementation in Provincial Assembly Libraries of Pakistan under Pakistan Legislative Strengthen Project of United States Agency for International Development provide the information and insight for this paper. Findings -Adoption of OSS in libraries is just at a beginning stage in Pakistan, and only a few organizations have so far made their first move in this direction. The major identified issues affecting OSS adoption in Pakistani libraries are: social (cultural) disparity, conceptual confusions, digital divide, lack of technological, financial, and human development. Practical implications -The paper will help decision makers plan OSS applications in their libraries. Originality/value -This is the first paper on the topic in Pakistan and explores the issues involved in OSS adoption in a comprehensive manner. The paper can provide understanding regarding adoption of OSS to professionals in Pakistani and other developing countries with similar environment.
The use of digital media is on rise around the world and same phenomenon is emerging in Pakistan. The study was intended to explore the use of digital media and demand for digitized contents in higher education sector of Pakistan. The research questions were answered by a comprehensive literature review along with semi-structured in-depth interviews of 25 library experts. The findings conferred that the use of digital media in higher education is on rise and demand for digitized contents is growing increasingly. The findings of the study made a good case for the libraries to focus more on acquisition of information resources in digital formats as well as initiate digitization initiatives. ª
The purpose of the study was to investigate LIS Community's perceptions towards Open Source Software (OSS) adoption in libraries. The study adopted quantitative research design and a Likert type scale of 20 items was designed to collect data. Attention was given to three variables e organization type (public/private sector), library type (academic/ public/special), and country type (developed/developing). A total of 370 responses were received from 48 countries. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-Test, and ANOVA. The overall results suggested that respondents had positive perceptions towards OSS. However the results of t-Test and ANOVA indicated that organization type or library type were insignificant factors but country type was a significant factor as respondents from developed countries has significant difference of perceptions in comparison with the respondents from developing countries.This study is first of its kind in the world. The findings are useful for LIS community, library system developers, software developers, technology administrators, and library administrators. ª
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