Group items tagged

"The article looks at the development of library technology, focusing on library automation, integrated library systems (ILS), and the use of open source software. Additional topics discussed include the competition between supports of ILS and proprietary library services vendors, the decreases in library finance, and litigation between library service companies over the violation of antitrust laws. The author also presents several profiles of companies engaging in library automation services, such as Auto-Graphics, BiblioCommons, and Cuadra Associates."

In 2008, seven Michigan public libraries migrated to Evergreen, an open source integrated library system developed by the George Public Library Service. The Michigan Library Consortium and Grand Rapids Public Library provided the support, training, networking, and system administration for the system. This article examines the reasons for implementing an open source system and the challenges to running and sustaining it.

"The author reports on plans for some of the public libraries which are part of the Health Sciences Libraries Consortium to start using the Evergreen open source integrated library system (ILS). Topics discussed in the article include plans that exist to eventually have all public libraries in Pennsylvania to use Evergreen, predictions that have been made regarding the number of libraries which will start to use the system and benefits associated with the system."

"The author focuses on the use of technology in libraries to ease the impact of the global economic crisis. He notes that several libraries have documented significantly reduced costs through the use of open source software. He cites that the investments in redesigning a Web site and information delivery tools of a library can make an improvement in the perceptions of library users. He asserts that the creative use of technology can offer relief for the challenging budget of the library by opening up opportunities to generate income."

"Using the Crawford County Federated Library System's development of an open source web kiosk management system, as an example, this article will illustrate how an open source library project is defined, specified, written, tested and rolled out. The article will also discuss how the project was released as an Open Source project and future development of the project. The web kiosk project is called Libki and was written to authenticate users and allow access to the Internet kiosks based on time limits. Libki is a completely Open Source project and is now used by multiple libraries across the US. The client side of Libki is cross platform and supports multiple operating systems including Microsoft Windows and Linux. The administrative side of the program allows access to user logs, controls time and access and allows the librarian to log a patron off the system in real time. Libki was completely developed and written by staff members of the Crawford County Federated Library System."

"This group is for libraries - public, academic, school, law, what-have-you. It is not about code libraries. Ask questions and/or tell us what your library or organization is up to."

"In this article the author discusses aspects of the automation and electronic data industry in a library setting. He investigates a number of factors including the use of automated library systems, advanced electronic library catalogues and databases and the application of open source computer programming. The article analyzes sales trends in library data systems for the period 2003-07."

"This article highlights the benefits of open source databases for businesses and libraries. No matter what size your library is, databases play an important role in providing services. The reason for this is simple: libraries exist to organize information, and databases make it easy to store and retrieve information. Setting up and maintaining open source databases is easier than most people realize. Not too long ago, only systems experts had the skills to install and use a database server. Nowadays, graphical tools have made it a snap to administer databases in a production setting. Open source products are widely used and do not require you to pay licensing fees, so chances are you will be able to apply what you learn in a variety of setting. There is an excellent chance that existing open source products contain all the functionality you need--that is why millions of people, businesses, and libraries use them. The learning curve for open source database is about the same as for most types of software. Because so many people use them, it is easy to find someone who can help you when you encounter challenges. Once you have created your first database, you may discover that you can improve services, gather statistics, or help staff in just a few minutes."

"The article presents options for libraries on the type of software to use to gain access on the web. For libraries without money or technical staff, the author recommends free and inexpensive Web 2.0 options. The programs are usually free or demand a small fee and require a few technical knowledge. For libraries with technical staff but less money, the open source option is suggested. No cash is needed but the program requires more technical skills and staff time. Buying software is a choice if the library has the cash."

"This article presents information about a final draft report of the Open Library Environment (OLE). The OLE project was funded by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to develop a document that would plan a system that would show the needs of academic and research libraries. The project ended up with a plan that creates a standard for integrating software with university information standards to release an open source product to library service users."

"The article addresses the cost of library automation software. The cited factors that influence software pricing are private negotiation, economic climate, hosting options such as software-as-a-service, and the components of public open source contracts. Also discussed is the impact of the inclusion of confidentiality clauses in license agreements and contracts prohibiting disclosure of prices on libraries. It suggests the possibility to gather pricing and expenditures data for libraries and stresses the need to understand pricing benchmarks."

"The author reflects on open source integrated library systems (ILS). He says that the open source ILS has promised libraries with more control over their software compared to others. He adds that he found no inconsistencies between the claim made by vendors on opening their system through application programming interface (API) and the actual delivery of its capabilities. He concludes that while opening the API of some library software is still a bit messy, he hopes that the time will come for this issue to evolve."

A column in The Code4Lib Journal issue 5 2008 about the role of open source software in libraries and libraries failures in grasping the fundamental ideas of sharing and contributing in the FOSS -community, even among libraries themselves. A great essay w

"The article discusses the release of a document by SirsiDynix Vice President (VP) of Innovation Stephen Abram entitled "Integrated Library System Platforms on Open Source." The document criticizes open source library systems and created a debate among open source and proprietary integrated library system (ILS) proponents."

"This paper aims to explain the circumstances, methods and outcomes of the New York University Health Sciences Libraries' (NYUHSL) migration from their previous Integrated Library System (ILS), Innovative Interfaces, Inc.'s Millennium, to the open-source ILS Koha."

"Reports on the use of open source software by libraries, in the United States. How open source software works and why there are advantages in utilizing it; Details of library-related software programs such as Prospero and GNU Jointly Administered Knowledge Environment. INSET: What Is `Open Source'?."

March 2011, Vol. 31 Issue 2, p 6 - 10 The article focuses on the use of the open source platform VuFind to create the MnPALS Plus discovery solution which extracts bibliographic data from the shared integrated library systems (ILS) of the 25 2-year colleges and seven state universities belonging to the PALS program of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Information on the history of the PALS operation is provided. The features of VuFind are also described.

"A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experiences using open source integrated library systems (ILS) for Bibliomation, a Connecticut consortium of public libraries and K-12 schools."

"One of the scripts which I wrote as a mashup demonstration used the New York Times Bestseller API to add Best Seller indicators and links to a full record screen being generated via data from the WorldCat Search API. Michael Beccaria at Paul Smith College in upstate NY has taken my prototype script and revamped and incorporated it into their VuFind powered library catalog."

5 minute lightning talks from Code4lib about a variety of subjects related to LIS and libraries. Includes links to lighning talks of 2006-2008. At a glance, most talks seem to be intruductions to existing web-services and technologies.