From LAMP to Koha: case study of the Pakistan legislative assembly libraries

Abstract

Purpose -This paper aims to elaborate the library data migration process from LAMP (Library Automation Management Program) to the open source software Koha's (2.2.8 Windows based) Pakistani flavour PakLAG-Koha in six legislative assembly libraries of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach -The paper explains different steps of the data migration from one ILM (integrated library management system) to a new ILM in six libraries over the course of three months. Qualitative research methods, i.e. direct observation and interviews, were adopted for finding the problems and solutions of the delayed project. Training and support was offered by a local volunteer group (PakLAG). One of the authors of the paper presented first-hand experience of being a consultant of this project. The study and results are the author's own reflections and first-hand experiences, and hence results are based on direct observations. Findings -The paper identifies several critical issues and their solutions concerning data migration within a local scenario as well as how local consultants and support groups are coping with these issues. It was noticed that the data migration can be done quickly if any support group is properly involved with the library staff. Originality/value -This paper provides first-hand experience and success story of library data migration from DOS-based ILM to open source software. Process, tools and findings discussed in this paper are valuable for the libraries planning to convert non-MARC data to open source MARC-based software Koha.

The current state of library open source software research

“…Such studies have been published on open source ILS (e.g. Bissels and Chandler, 2010;Genoese and Keith, 2011;Shafi-Ullah and Qutab, 2012), open source digital libraries (e.g. Bindu et al, 2010;Doctor, 2008;Stanger and McGregor, 2007), and open source discovery interfaces (e.g.…”

“…The purpose of these studies, in the case of adoption and development, was to inform the wider library community of the benefits that came from such a move (e.g. Doctor, 2007;Mah and Stranack, 2005;Shafi-Ullah and Qutab, 2012). Given the fact that OSS is a relatively recent development in the library world, and many librarians may be concerned about the reliability of these products (Payne and Singh, Open source software research 2010), it is not surprising that studies would be published detailing real, concrete benefits resulting from implementation of OSS.…”

Do not perish outdated CDS/ISIS data: ABCD ILS from the same family is there to make it alive

“…Several studies examined the adoption of the Koha open-source library management system for the respective libraries using data migration (House, 2016; Kampa and Kaushik, 2019;Keast, 2011; Ponelis and Adoma, 2018); all of these adoptions have gone through challenging and stressful processes. On the other hand, a few studies reported on the incompatibilities, data conversion issues, subfield problems, technical concerns, data migration issues and implementation problems of Koha (Makori and Osebe, 2016;Omeluzor et al , 2012; Shafi‐Ullah and Qutab, 2012; Todd, 2018; Walls, 2011).…”

Library software in Pakistan

“…The main features of PakLAG-Koha include the accommodation of regional languages of Pakistan, online keyboards in regional languages and a reporting module to meet local needs. The other important feature which is increasing the popularity of PakLAG-Koha over the OSS Koha is the availability of the PakLAG support team that has representatives all over the country (Shafi-Ullah and Qutab, 2012).…”