BACKING LIBRARY
OPERATIONS
WITH
OPEN SOURCE
APPLICATIONS
Myka Kennedy Stephens
Seminary Librarian
Lancaster Theological Seminary
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Overview
● Debunking Myths of Open Source Software
● Top 5 Qualities to Look for in Open Source
Solutions
● Cost Benefit Analysis of Open Source Solutions
● Closer Look at Some Open Source Solutions for
Libraries
Myths of
Open Source
Software
Requires Advanced Computer Skills
Intermediate Skills are helpful,
but not essential
Unpolished and bug-ridden
Community-driven development
observes QA standards
Difficult to support and drain resources
Good support, paid and
volunteer, is available in most
OSS communities
Top 5 Qualities
of Good Open
Source Solutions
For Those
Considering
Open Source
Stable Community
Look for Open Source
solutions that have an
active and stable
community of users and
developers.
#1
Solid
Documentation
User manuals,
installation Instructions,
and other support
documentation need to
be readily available.
#2
Recent Updates
Software updates and
patches released on a
regular schedule is a sign
of strong developer
support.
#3
Pathways for
Feedback
Clear routes to post
questions, make
suggestions, get help, and
connect with the
community make it easier
to find answers when you
need them
#4
Try before
Committing
Take advantage of demo
sites or download and
install the software on a
localhost before deciding
to invest in the solution.
#5
Cost vs. Benefit
● Hosting and support
expense
● Set up and
customization
● Ongoing maintenance
● Investment
● No license fees
● Professional skill
building
● More control
● Community involvement
Meet a
few:
1.
Koha www.koha-community.org
What?
● Integrated Library System
● Created in New Zealand by Katipo
Communications, now developed internationally
● Updates released every six months
● Embedded web-based documentation
● Full-featured modules for circulation, patron
management, cataloging, authority file,
acquisitions, serials, and reports
● Responsive OPAC built on Bootstrap
● Flexible with multiple integration possibilities
In Action
http://library.lancasterseminary.edu
http://bywatersolutions.com/demos/
2.
SubjectsPlus www.subjectsplus.com
What?
● Guides Platform (Springshare’s LibGuides)
● Ongoing development at University of
Miami Libraries
● Wiki-based documentation, Google Group
user community
● Flexible and Feature-packed: FAQs,
Talkback page, A-Z resource list
● Responsive design fueled by CSS
● API capability
In Action
http://guides.lancasterseminary.edu
3.
Omeka omeka.org
What?
● Web publishing for digital archives and
online exhibits
● Developed by Roy Rosenzweig Center for
History and New Media
● Expansive documentation on website with
hosted forums for user community
● Customizable themes and plugins
● Metadata on multiple levels: file, item,
collection, exhibit
● Dublin Core
In Action
http://archive.lancasterseminary.edu
4.
ResourceSpace www.resourcespace.com
What?
● Digital Asset Management Platform
● Developed by Montala Ltd., originally
commissioned by Oxfam
● Hosted Knowledge Base documentation,
bug tracker, and Google Group for user
community
● Automatically harvests metadata,
including full-text
● Users log in to access content
In Action
http://www.resourcespace.com/trial
Thank You!
Myka Kennedy Stephens
Seminary Librarian & Assistant Professor
Lancaster Theological Seminary
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Email: mkstephens@lancasterseminary.edu
Facebook: @mykakennedystephens
Blog: www.mission-information.org
Presentation template by SlidesCarnival

Backing Library Operations with Open Source Applications