Open source integrated library management systems

Singh, Manisha; Sanaman, Gareema

doi:10.1108/02640471211282127

Cited by 25 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…As many stakeholders as possible should be consulted in this crucial step of a migration. Institutions planning a migration to an open-source ILS would benefit from the detailed ILS selection criteria and decision matrixes provided by Bissels (2008), Müller (2011), Pruett and Choi (2013), Singh and Sanaman (2012), and Yang and Hofmann (2010). The GBC library determined that the new ILS system should be marked by: affordability; a Web-based server; a robust and highly customizable interface; increased system functionality; and a large degree of local control. …”

Section: Selecting a New Ils Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing an open source integrated library system (ILS) in a special focus institution

Avery

2016

Digital Library Perspectives

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Purpose The paper aims to explore the circumstances and processes involved in implementing and migrating from a proprietary integrated library system (ILS) (Follett’s Destiny) to an open-source ILS (Koha) for a special focus institution. Design/methodology/approach In 2012, the campus libraries of God’s Bible College (GBC) migrated to Koha. After locally hosting and supporting Koha for three years, GBC contracted a vendor (ByWater Solutions) to provide hosting and support, beginning in the fall of 2015. Findings The paper offers experiences and practical recommendations in migration and implementation. The paper will demonstrate that libraries, including special-focus institutions, can migrate efficiently and without vendor support. Additionally, the paper examines some of the reasons why libraries might consider vendor hosting and support. Practical implications The paper gives libraries a framework, illustrated with a special-focus institution case study, for selecting and migrating from a proprietary ILS to an open-source ILS. Such information will be of assistance in clarifying the process of migration and implementation for institutions seeking to move from a proprietary system, especially Destiny, to an open-source ILS. Originality/value The paper covers the steps taken to successfully migrate the database and offers a series of best practices for the adoption and migration process of an open-source ILS, providing librarians and other key stakeholders both theoretical and practical information in the selection and implementation of an open-source ILS.

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Section: Selecting a New Ils Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing an open source integrated library system (ILS) in a special focus institution

Avery

2016

Digital Library Perspectives

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“…In the case of Kenya, some libraries, such as the Strathmore University Library, have managed to overcome this challenge by developing internal capacities and the required technical skills to manage Koha. By doing this, Strathmore University Library was able to successfully manage Koha for its library and even provide paid support services to other libraries interested in using Koha (Shiundu 2012). Other libraries and librarians in Kenya are also following this trend, hence creating a pool of sources for Koha paid support services from which libraries that are planning to use Koha can choose.…”

Section: Library Management System Used In Academic Libraries In Kenyamentioning

confidence: 99%

Next-Generation Catalogues: How Are the Academic Libraries in Kenya Faring?

Chilimo

2016

Mousaion

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The library catalogue has changed over the years from a card catalogue to its electronic successor, the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), to what is called the next-generation library catalogue, sometimes referred to as the library 2.0 catalogue or â€˜the third-generation catalogueâ€™. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current state of catalogues in academic libraries in Kenya and to evaluate whether these libraries have incorporated features of the next-generation catalogues in their OPACs. The study applied a checklist of features commonly identified as characteristics of the next-generation catalogue to examine whether the OPACs of university libraries in Kenya are comparable to the next-generation library catalogue. The findings of the study showed that libraries in Kenya have made some progress towards transforming their OPACs to the next-generation catalogue but have not reached the ideal. None of the OPACs has all the features evaluated. Progress has been made with features, such as enhanced content, simple keyword search and faceted navigation. However, none of the catalogues has federated searching capabilities. The study also found out that close to half of the libraries which have their OPACs available online are using Koha as their Library Management System (LMS). This article provides valuable information for library policy makers interested in modernising their catalogues or acquiring discovery tools for their institution. The article may also be a useful tool for evaluating OPACs modules of the integrated LMS, especially for libraries that are in the process of selecting a suitable LMS.

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