1. Open Source software for libraries
By Katharina Penner

2. What is Open Source? A specific set of software license
allow others to freely redistribute the software
source code for the software must be available
allow derived works based off of the software
A practical method of developing software
A community of developers and users who support #1 and #2

3. Free? free as in „beer“ free as in „free speech“
free as in „free kittens“
Phipps, S. 2002

4. Advantages Reliability Better support User driven Innovation Cost
Adapted from

5. Disadvantages
Many libraries do not have the in-house expertise to support open-source software
Don't have the ability to train staff on the use of the new technologies
Open source alternatives weren't perceived as feature-rich enough to handle the complex needs of libraries
Hidden costs (staff time)

6. Koha Open Source Library System
A full featured modern integrated library system (ILS): circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, serials, reserves, patron management, branch relationships, and more.
Linux, Unix, Windows and MacOS platform
Can be fully integrated into the library website; Web based OPAC system
Copy cataloguing and z39.50
MARC21 and UNIMARC for professional cataloguers
Use as a document manager or digital library; manage online and off line resources with the same tool
RSS feed of new acquisitions

7. Greenstone Tool for digital library Publish on internet or CD-ROM
Windows, Unix and Mac
Interoperability
Two interfaces: librarians and readers

8. Metadata formats
Dublin Core
Marc
XML
OAI
DSpace

9. Document formats PDF Word RTF HTML Plain text ZIP archives Excel PPT

10. Languages
English
French
Spanish
Russian
Kazakh
Some in Vietnamese

11. NVU (new view) – web design
complete Web design system
Linux, Windows and Macintosh
open source alternative to FrontPage and Dreamweaver
create web pages
manage a website with no technical expertise or knowledge of HTML
available in different languages (I use German)

12. Used sources
Phipps, Simon. „Free speech, free beer and free software.“ c/net news.com available at (accessed March 1, 2007).
Muir, Scott P. „An introduction to the open source software issue.“ Library Hi Tech 29/4 (2005):