Open Source software and Libraries

Firefox, Wikipedia, Audacity and Moodle, what do all these have in common? Well, they're all examples of open source software. Open source software, is basically software that has free distribution and has a source code that can be edited. Therefore, making software that can be suited to different people without any damage to the licence of the software itself. Besides this immense advantage, open source software is easily accessible to anybody who wants it and has no costs associated with buying the basic source code. Open source software would be an ideal investment for libraries as it could be changed to suit whatever each library would prefer. It would lower costs in the buying of software and can easily be obtained. Below, are a two key examples of open source software that were made for and is available for a library environment;

Koha - A web-based integrated library system that libraries can obtain which features circulation and borrower management as well as a simple acquisitions system for the smaller libraries. The Koha system has many other advantages and disadvantages, but of course, like any open source software the idea that an integrated library system can be available to any library without the problem of licencing and high costs is its key feature.

Evergreen – Like Koha, Evergreen is another open-source integrated library system. This system was developed for a statewide resource-sharing consortium in the United States and is now used by a public library service in America and features circulation, cataloguing and OPAC’s.

Other open source software that libraries may be able to use are as follows;

Mozilla Firefox – As mentioned earlier, Mozilla firefox is an example of a widely used open source software. An internet browser alternative to ‘Internet Explorer’, Firefox is a prime representation of how high quality open source software can be. Easily downloadable, Firefox would probably be on many library computers already, especially with how often the internet is required in reference queries today.

Open Office – For smaller libraries, the licencing and general costs of obtaining the word processing standard – Microsoft Office – may be a little too far out of reach. This is where Open Office comes in. Open office is an alternative to the Microsoft Office juggernaut which offers the same programs and features, but not for the same price tag. While it may get a bit of getting used to, it is an ideal software choice for libraries that value any budget cut they can manage.