Application of Open-Source

Softwares in Library Functions and

Services: Experiences of Library

Network, EUSL

M. N. Ravikumar, Senior Assistant Librarian

(Library Automation & E-Resources), Main Library,

Eastern University, Sri Lanka.

T. Ramanan, Senior Assistant Librarian

(Technical & Clients Services),Main Library,

Eastern University, Sri Lanka

By:

Presented on NILIS Symposium 2012

The Library Network, EUSL:

Main Library

FHCS Library

Trinco Campus Library

Institute of Aesthetic Studies Library (SVIAS)

1. Background

Users’ Growth :

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

2009 2010 2011 2012

Nu

mb

ers

Year

Library Users - Students

Science Com. Mgt. Agric Arts

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

2009 2010 2011 2012

Nu

mb

ers

Year

Library Users - Academics

Science Com Mgt Agric Arts

(Source: Library Development Plan 2012 -2025)

1. Background

Library System (2002) –

-Created using Microsoft Access 98

-Data entering, circulation, retrieving, user registration, cataloguing and searching of records.

Issues faced;

-Periodical data could not be operated,

-No support for multi-user login, and

-No room for the OPAC.

2. Library Automation

LibSys Ver 4.0, (2009) –

-Commercial software purchased from UGC allocation

-includes all modules for library functions with OPAC

-Unlimited user login

-Unicode support for Tamil Language

-One week training offered by LibSys resource person

In addition, the library has bar-coded its collection andEM tapes used to secure the materials

2. Library Automation

Post-Sale Services & Training –

-Obtaining timely post-sale services was not at satisfactory level

-The training given ,was not sufficient nor was it continuous

Financial issues –

- The library struggles to pay the annual post-sale services feeor to upgrade the system

- Installation of the commercial ILS in the branch libraries,requires separate license and payments

- Administrative barriers

3. Obstacle with current ILS

Technical issues –

- Data migration or import from other sources has been difficult(MARC records)

- Unicode support is not uniform throughout the system

- Record searching do not interactive & produces more ‘noise’

- Report generation does not function properly

- OPAC could not be customized by the library according to its needs

3. Obstacle with current ILS

What is OSS ?

Software which is liberally licensed to grant the right of users tostudy, change, and improve its design through the availability ofits source code - (Wikipedia).

Free to use

Free to change / modify

Free to distribute

An alternative to commercial software

4. Introduction of OSS

Why OSS ?

- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is lower

- Cost Effectiveness

- Availability of Source Code

- High or equivalent quality, compare with propriety sotfwares

- Reduced Maintains Cost

- Legally Free

- Vendor independence

- Localization

4. Introduction of OSS

OSS in Library arena

-Phenomenal increase in the adoption of OSS in libraries,

- It is manifested in the principles of librarianship.

Software is for use.

Every computer its users.

Every reader his source code

Save the time of the user.

A system is a growing organism

(Source: Blake Carver, modified Ranganathan's Rules for open

sources software, http://infomotions.com/musings/ossnlibraries/)

4. Introduction of OSS

Widely used OSS in library applications

Application Software

ILS KOHA, Evergreen, NGL, OpenBiblio

DL and Repositories Dspace, Eprints, Fedora, Greenstone

OPACs Vufind, SOPAC, Backlight

Content Management System Joomla, Drupal

Metasearch Resolver LibraryFind, CUFTS

Source: Mallikarjun Dora and Bulu Maharana (2008)

4. Introduction of OSS

Exploitation of OSS in SL University Libraries

67%

33%

D-Space Greenstone

OSS in DL

56%22%

22%

LibSys Alice for Windows Koha

OSS in Automation

4. Introduction of OSS

OSS in Web designing

33%

45%

22%

Dreamweaver

Joomla

HTML/ CSSEditor

4. Introduction of OSS

Exploitation of OSS in SL University Libraries

Library started exploiting OSS to automate in its branch libraries,to overcome the problems entangled with commercial system.

First tried with Koha. Despite, it ventured another OSS alternativecalled NewGenLib (NGL) and trialed in its three branch libraries.

DL services initiated using DSpace and Greenstone, for developingdigital repositories.

Library to exploit OSS is its website, which has been developedapplying Joomla ( CMS)

5. Endeavors on OSS by the Library Network, EUSL

OSS in library management helps to solve basic challenges faced byproprietary ILS

Koha, NGL, DSpace, GSDL, E-prints are the most popular opensource softwares which are widely used in library business.

EUSL Library Network adopt the OSS alternatives to provideuninterrupted library services.

Despite the benefits of OSS, it needs authentication throughconstitutions, library legislation or standardization which could beauthorized by the UGC, Sri Lanka

More workshops required to help library professional to educate onand learn about utilizing OSS in library arena.

6. Conclusion

References:

Dora, Mallikarjun. and Maharana, Bulu. (2008) ‘Open Source Movement in IndianLibraries: An Analytical Study’. In: ETTLIS Proceedings 2008, InternationalSymposium, New Delhi, India. pp 181-189.

Joomla.Org., 2012. What is Joomla? [Online] Available at:http://www.joomla.org/about-joomla.html [Accessed on 5 July 2012].

Kumar, V. Vimal. and Thomas, A. (2009) ‘Eight Things you should know about OpenSource Integrated Library Systems’. [Online]. eLiS, Retrieved from:http://eprints.rclis.org/bitstream/10760/13858/1/20.pdf[Accessed on 15.10.2012].

MacCormack, A. (2003) ‘Evaluating Total Cost of Ownership for Software Platforms:Comparing Apples, Oranges and Cucumbers’. AEI-Brookings Joint Center forRegulatory Studies, mimeo. Retrieved from: http://regulation2point0.org/wp-content/plugins/download-monitor/download.php?id=168 [Accessed on01.10.2012].

Meng, Tan Tze. (2003) ‘The Case for Open Source: OSS vs. Proprietary Software.’Cospa Knowledge Base, 14.

Open-source software, (2012) The Open Source definition. [Online] Retrieved from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_software [Accessed on 31.09.2012].

Ramanan, T. and Ravikumar, M.N. (2012) ‘Exploitation of Open-Source Software inLibrary Automation, Digital Library Initiatives and Library Consortium:Possibilities and Problems in University Libraries in Sri Lanka’. In: ETLIS 2012Proceedings, 3rd International Symposium: future of libraries in digital age.Guna MP, India, 26-27 Oct 2012. KBD Publications: New Delhi. pp 213-220.

Tennat, Roy. (2000) ‘The Role of Open Source Software’. Library Journal, Retrievedfrom: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA156513.html [Accessed on 118.10.2012].

References: