FIS1311 Project Profile

For our Introduction to Technology class (remember: this blog began as a class project) , we have been asked to post selected assignments online. The following is said assignment. Now, just because you are not in the class, this does not mean you should not feel like you can comment. Actually, the whole wonderful point of this is to get some discussion going! So let's hear it...

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Our public library, in a traditional town in Canada, has begun investigating the different varieties of Library System software available on the market. Gone are the days of simple patron-librarian reference service—our users are now demanding a software medium that is quick, easy, and allows web access to search from home. Even our librarians, who have happily discarded the card catalogue, are looking for a tool to help in all areas of library administration—our librarians are now demanding a software tool that allows them to update records, track acquisitions, and other tasks that allow the maintenance of the collection, quickly and effectively. Our library is publicly funded and non-profit, so we have budgetary restrictions in adopting new software. Also, we are not programmers, so this new system will have to be friendly enough that we can use it and sophisticated enough that it is compliant with other library systems.

The question is, how do we find a library system broad enough to encompass all of our objectives and yet, still be financially affordable? Fortunately, there is a Library System currently available that addresses and meets many of our needs.

A view of the Koha Homepage:


Koha is “the first open-source Integrated Library System (ILS).In use worldwide, Koha's development is steered by a growing community of libraries collaborating to achieve their technology goals. Koha's impressive feature set continues to evolve and expand to meet the needs of its user base.” It offers the same practicalities as a more traditional library system, such as modules for circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, serials, reserves, and patron management. The Koha Integrated Library System lists the following as its core components:

• A full featured modern integrated library system (ILS).
• Award winning and open source no license fee, ever.
• Linux, Unix, Windows and MacOS platform.
• Web Based.
• We can full integrate it into your website.
• Copy cataloguing and z39.50.
• MARC21 and UNIMARC for professional cataloguers.
• Tailored catalogue module for special libraries.
• Use as a document manager or digital library.
• Manage online and off line resources with the same tool.
• RSS feed of new acquisitions.
• E-mail and/or txt patron's overdues and other notices.
• Print your own barcodes.
• Serials management module.
• Full catalogue, circulation and acquisitions system for library stock management.
• Web based OPAC system (allows the public to search the catalogue in the library and at home).
• Simple, clear search interface for all users.
• Simple and comprehensive acquisition options.
• Koha is multi-tasking and enables updates of circulation, cataloguing and issues to occur simultaneously.

If our library were to adopt a new system, it would have to provide the same level services that we currently offer. Koha provides not only these, but also provides them more effectively. For example, unlike bulky traditional systems, often housed on an in-house server, Koha is a web based program that, while designed to provide inter-system operability, is entirely open source (and therefore non-proprietary). It provides an easy-to-use interface, designed for library and non-profit environments. On the following examples, we see the manifestation of Koha in different ways. Koha is very adaptable and caters to each specific library environment.

A view of the Koha web interface, as used at the Horowhuena Library Trust:


A second example, as used at the Nelsonville Public Library:



Koha, as a system, has won several awards for usability and innovation. The effects of the new online system will be seen immediately and positively by both librarians and patrons. Now, librarians can update records, add newly catalogued items, link records to useful WebPages, all at the touch of a key pad from any location. In turn, library patrons can now perform detailed searches from home.

By choosing an open source product, our public library will avoid the largest issue facing libraries when adopting a sophisticated integrated library system—the cost of it all. In the past, not only would it be financially difficult to finance the proprietary charges for new software, but we would continually have to pay for new upgrades whenever the software provider issued an upgrade. Koha’s existence is in direct response to this. It is open source software, ideal for all libraries and other non-profit organizations. Open source software is a new resource for today’s organizations, not only well funded or large institutions. One of the key elements of the nature of open source is not only that the software is distributed free of charge but also that all the coding and programming languages used in the software are available for public use. This means that many brains in many locations, anyone who is using the software, can now develop innovations and improvements that can be passed along to others using the system. (Currently, volunteers working to improve Koha are spread across New Zealand, France, Canada, and the United States. If you would like to contribute, please click here.) The Library System can be continually upgraded, even many times a year, which would simply have been impossible with proprietary software. It also means that our library can choose to upgrade when we need to, not when we can afford to. We would retain a greater amount of control over our own system.

If our library chooses to adopt Koha software as for our system needs, it needs to have a proven track record. Fortunately, Koha, the first of its kind in the world of integrated library systems, has been in continuous development since 1999. Open source somehow seems to lack the reputation of proprietary software, but as time passes, and the consistency of the program is demonstrated, this will surely change. In the meantime, Koha has posted Case Studies on its web page to showcase successful system integrations.

Unfortunately, this system is not perfect. For our library, unless we have an information technologist well-learned in the Koha programming language, we will have some issues in receiving timely assistance if we experience problems with our system. With no licensing fees, there is also no tech support. There are several vendors who will support Koha, for a service fee, and there is a large (and free) support resource online. Also, the largest library the Koha is currently operating in has a circulation of over half a million. For us, this should easily meet our patrons’ needs. Koha is designed to support any volume of circulation, however, this has not yet been tested practically.

For our library, Koha is an effective, cost efficient choice. It provides all of the services that our library is looking for, is easily upgradeable, and does not require a large amount of hard ware to run successfully. Although it is new, it is not so new as to be unproven. Also, the choice towards open source can be a statement made by our library that shows our support for technological innovation at a price that everyone can afford (free!).

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All facts and details provided on the Koha project can be found on its website: www.koha.org