Open source solutions for libraries: ABCD vs Koha

Macan, Bojan; Fernández, Gladys Vanesa; Stojanovski, Jadranka

doi:10.1108/00330331311313726

Cited by 29 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The author concludes that it offers a nice solution for all types of modern 229 DL and collection management tools libraries to meet the ever-increasing needs of users when library budget is on the decline. Another study compares in-depth Koha and ABCD according to their functionality and characteristics (Macan et al, 2013). This evaluation revealed that Koha has more functionalities than ABCD, especially those connected with the "next generation library catalog."…”

Section: Prog 493mentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation and usage scenarios of open source digital library and collection management tools

Gkoumas

Lazarinis

2015

Program

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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate open source software (OSS) for digital libraries and collection management and to propose different utilization scenarios based on the characteristics of the tools. Design/methodology/approach – The tools are assessed on the basis of their technical features and options, the type of the content they manage, the support for common library operations such as cataloging and circulation, the searching support and the interoperability options. Then they are evaluated by users and finally a number of usage scenarios are analyzed based on the results of the evaluation. Findings – The basic findings of the study is that open source digital library and collection management tools offer advanced operations and support various metadata and interoperability protocols with easy and user-friendly interfaces. Most of the tools are extensively used under various settings and establishments already. Language support for the interfaces should be extended with more languages and some tools with limited operations should be improved to be of practical use. Practical implications – The findings of the paper could be used support the selection of specific open source tools for various types of establishments. Originality/value – The study reviews the characteristics of a few OSS for digital libraries and collection management and reveals their specific strengths and weaknesses. It also presents a number of realistic scenarios and proposes the usage of specific tools based on time, technology and staff constraints.

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Section: Prog 493mentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation and usage scenarios of open source digital library and collection management tools

Gkoumas

Lazarinis

2015

Program

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“…There are, however, disadvantages to OS ILS, in particular, the need for in-house IT expertise. Although Macan et al (2013) are optimistic, stating that "increased functionalities and better manuals" could mitigate for a lack of dedicated IT staff in libraries, the use of OS ILS requires sufficient technical expertise to perform the installation and migration of data, modify source code in order to customize features and functionalities based on libraries' needs, ongoing troubleshooting and maintenance (Bilal, 2014;Webber and Peters, 2010). Most OS ILS have vibrant user communities that can provide support although a timely response is not guaranteed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a thorough comparative evaluation, Koha outperformed or matched NewGenLib in many of the aspects evaluated (Singh and Sanaman, 2012) although Müller (2010) earlier rejected NewGenLib in his study for lack of adequate community involvement and support. Macan et al (2013) found that, although Koha has more functionalities, ABCD, which is derived from ISIS, is worth considering by libraries without IT support. In a study comparing Koha and Evergreen with two proprietary ILS, Pruett and Choi (2013) found that both Koha and Evergreen are viable alternatives to major proprietary vendors; these two OS ILS are the most popular in the USA (Singh, 2013a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diffusion of open source integrated library systems in academic libraries in Africa

Ponelis

Adoma

2018

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Purpose Libraries globally automate their operations and services using integrated library systems (ILS) to increase operational efficiency and meet the ever-evolving demands of their users. Open source ILS (OS ILS) has become more popular globally. The purpose of this paper is to better understand the diffusion of OS ILS in academic libraries in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach Rogers’ diffusion of innovation (DoI) supplemented by the fit-viability theory was used as a theoretical framework. A questionnaire was developed based on extant literature and distributed electronically to representative members of a Ugandan university library association. Findings The diffusion of OS ILS in Ugandan academic libraries approximates the S-curve expected based on DoI. Ugandan academic libraries are adopting OS ILS for more flexibility to meet changing needs at what is perceived as an affordable cost but not all are fully satisfied. Koha is the most adopted OS ILS and is also being considered by all libraries without any ILS or a proprietary ILS. The information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, organizational procurement policies and national procurement legislation, human resource capacity and limited finances are barriers to diffusion. The total cost of ownership and technical skills required are of particular concern for OS ILS. Research limitations/implications The research was limited to a single African country and the recommendations may not be transferable to other African countries. Future research can expand the survey, the countries studied and/or address the methodological limitations of this study. Practical implications When embarking upon library automation using OS ILS or migrating to an OS ILS solution libraries should consider their ICT infrastructure, local support community, available training and be realistic about the costs. Local library associations should provide guidance on OS ILS selection, ongoing training, and opportunities for knowledge sharing. LIS schools should consider expanding their curriculum to include library automation and, in Uganda incorporate training on Koha as OS ILS. Libraries and library associations should advocate to reduce restrictive organizational procurement policies and national procurement legislation. Originality/value Studies on country-level diffusion of ILS are comparatively few, particularly in African countries. This is the first country-level study of OS ILS diffusion in Uganda. This study can positively impact future patterns of diffusion for optimal deployment of OS ILS software by informing academic libraries, university management, library association, LIS schools, and policymakers in Uganda and across the African continent, and encouraging academics and researchers to teach and study library automation using OS ILS.

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“…Mavodza gives a very detailed analysis of cloud computing and Software as a Service (SaaS), and the benefits, tradeoffs, and caveats that libraries need to consider (Mavodza, 2013). Hadro (2009), Macan (2013), and Dalling and Rafferty (2013), discuss pros and cons of open-source computing, which is an attempt by companies to develop more flexible and more affordable software for libraries. This trend does not seem to be gaining much traction with libraries but is definitely an important force in the computing environment.…”

Section: Computing Environmentmentioning

confidence: 98%

The Voyage Home: New Mexico Libraries Migrate to WMS, OCLC's Cloud-Based ILS

Bordeianu

Kohl

2015

Technical Services Quarterly

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Cloud-computing is causing a major shift in the way organizations manage their data. For libraries this shift entails the switch from stand-alone ILSs to cloud-based systems. The new generation of ILSs embraces this model. The University of New Mexico Libraries undertook the migration to OCLC's cloud-based ILS, WorldShare Management Services (WMS). The process required choosing the vendor, preparing the data for migration, and implementing workflows. Through this article the authors will look at each of these stages of the migration and describe the process along the way. They will conclude with a look at the major paradigm shift caused by moving to a cloud-based environment.There is a new game in town called library services platform. This term describes the latest generation of integrated library systems (ILSs) which are cloud-based and take advantage of powerful web-scale computing capabilities (Breeding, 2012). The move to cloud-computing is causing a major shift in the way organizations store and manage data. For libraries, this shift entails the switch from stand-alone, locally hosted ILSs to cloud-based servers. All newly designed library management systems embrace this model, and the established vendors are slowing development and support of their legacy stand-alone 274 q Sever Bordeianu and Laura Kohl

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Open source solutions for libraries: ABCD vs Koha

Cited by 29 publications

References 17 publications

Evaluation and usage scenarios of open source digital library and collection management tools

Evaluation and usage scenarios of open source digital library and collection management tools

Diffusion of open source integrated library systems in academic libraries in Africa

The Voyage Home: New Mexico Libraries Migrate to WMS, OCLC's Cloud-Based ILS

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