The Open Source Integrated Library System: Support Implications

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The Open Source Integrated Library System
Support Implications

• Eric Hinsdale, Carleton College
• Julie Gilbert, Gustavus Adolphus College
• GusDay 2008
• Gustavus Adolphus College
• February 6, 2008

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Integrated Library System (ILS)

• Automated successor to the card catalog
• Tracks library holdings, patrons, orders, and
  bills
• Comprised of
• relational database
• software (modules) that act on that database
• Staff interface patron interface (online
  catalog)
• Vended/proprietary systems

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Whats Wrong With It?

• Built on old technologies
• Expensive
• Lacking Web 2.0 features outdated public
  interface
• Vendors lack resources for rapid development
• Unstable corporate environment

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ILS in Context - Gustavus

• Ex Libris
• Founded in 1986
• Serves over 4,400 customers in 74 countries
• Based in Jerusalem
• Provides multiple library software products
• Aleph
• One of Ex Libris ILS products
• Used at Gustavus by other members of MnPALS
  library consortium

Ex Libris facts from company website
http//www.exlibrisgroup.com/
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Current Dissatisfaction - Gustavus

• Major Problems
• Functionality
• Data extraction maintenance
• Multi-ADM environment problems
• OPAC
• Rumor that Aleph will not be developed past
  version 21 (MnPALS now moving to 18)

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Marcive example Multi-ADM
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WebOPAC online catalog
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Online catalog v. Amazon
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ILS in Context - Carleton

• Innovative Interfaces Incorporated (III)
• Founded in 1978
• Thousand of libraries worldwide, especially
  popular in academic libraries
• Based in Emeryville, California
• Often called The Cadillac of Library systems
• Thriving Minnesota users group
• Millennium is the name of the Java programs
  that support management functions, Web Opac for
  public access functions

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Current Dissatisfaction Carleton

• Millennium (staff side)
• Non-standard, slow Java implementation
• Poor printer support
• Some functions still not implemented so have to
  use outdated terminal interface
• Web Opac (public side)
• Byzantine management process
• Poor relevance ranking algorithm
• Poor support for features our users want (RSS
  feeds, personalization)

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WWWoptions
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Relevance Ranking Problems

• Searching singular vs. plural (mushroom vs.
  mushrooms) produces different result sets
• Exact word must be in title not subject
  headings to appear in most relevant list at
  top of search results.

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Koha Open Source ILS

• Full feature ILS
• Cataloging, acquisitions, serials, circulation,
  reserves modules
• Dual database design scalable for any size
  library
• Library standards compliant
• Web-based interface
• No vendor lock-in
• Open source
• Information gleaned from Koha website
  www.koha.org

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Koha Online Catalog
Image taken from LibLime site http//koha.liblime
.com/
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Evergreen

• Developed for Georgia PINES consortium, in
  production since Labor Day 2006
• Primarily adopted by public libraries so far,
  some academics starting to get on board
• GPL license
• Written in C and Perl, Python bindings for client
  and server, Java bindings planned
• Support offered by Open-ILS.org, LibLime

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LibLime

• open access to ideas and information not only
  builds better libraries, it builds better
  software tooWe enable libraries to use
  open-source software to its full potential by
  providing outstanding commercial support services
  - hosting, migration assistance, staff training,
  support, software maintenance, and development
  solutions tailored to each customer's needs.

• Founded in 2005 by Josh Ferraro

• Provides support to libraries operating open
  source systems, including Koha Evergreen

• Main office in Athens, OH

• Growing company

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Open Source Future Gustavus

• Free to explore other possibilities
• Go with Koha on our own
• Partner with other schools to form new consortium
• New possibilities with MnPALS hosting instance of
  Koha
• Proactive
• Formed Open Source Reading Group to explore
  issues,
• committed to communicating w. other schools
• and pursuing educational opportunities to learn
  about Open Source ILS

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Open Source Future The Bridge

• Carleton and St. Olaf
• Currently using shared Innovative Interfaces
  system
• Looking to move to next-generation system in 2-3
  years, investigate options, especially open
  source in near future

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Open Source Future - CLIC

• Cooperating Libraries In Consortium is
• Augsburg
• Bethel University
• Bethel Seminary
• College of St. Catherine
• Concordia University
• Hamline University
• Macalester College
• Northwestern College
• University of St. Thomas

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Open Source Future - CLIC

• Currently using shared Innovative Interfaces
  system
• Formed a committee and subcommittees to explore
  future ILS options--including (but not
  exclusively) open source

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In good company

• Koha
• WALDO to implement Koha ZOOM through LibLime
• Westchester Academic Library Directors
  Organization
• Using Koha in a consortium
• Hundreds of public, academic, special, school
  libraries using Koha throughout the world
• Evergreen
• Georgia Public Library Service
• Michigan Library Consortium
• A few other academic public libraries

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What it means for IT

• Experience with open source, can share
  perspective with libraries used to dealing with
  big vendors
• Need/opportunity to collaborate with other
  institutions
• Outsourcing support options available, including
  server hosting and custom programming
• Coding support can be helpful, but not essential
• Possible motivation for Shibboleth implementation

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Thank You!
Questions?
jgilber2_at_gustavus.edu ehinsdal_at_carleton.edu