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1 – 10 of 210
Article
Publication date: 18 June 2021

Ejiro Jamogha, Jide Owoeye and Lucky Stephen Godwin

This paper aims to study the perceived usefulness and adoption of Koha Integrated Library System (ILS) by librarians in universities in Southern Nigeria.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the perceived usefulness and adoption of Koha Integrated Library System (ILS) by librarians in universities in Southern Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a survey method. The researchers designed a structured questionnaire using Google form and shared it online. Data were gathered from respondents whose libraries had adopted Koha.

Findings

Koha was highly perceived useful in acquisition, cataloguing, circulation and serials operations. There was moderate adoption of Koha generally. However, it was rarely adopted for making payment and placing of orders for book purchases and serial subscriptions. Perceived usefulness had positive influence on Koha’s adoption. Inadequate training of library staff on Koha use was a major challenge to Koha adoption. Hence, it was recommended that there should be regular training on the use of Koha and strategic decisions that would enhance the useful objectives behind the gunning for Koha, should be taken and implemented by the management of libraries.

Originality/value

The study highlighted the perceived usefulness of Koha and the extent to which it has been adopted by librarians in the university libraries under study. It will avail the management of these libraries the opportunity to re-evaluate if the ILS is well maximized in terms of adoption and usefulness.

Details

Digital Library Perspectives, vol. 38 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5816

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 October 2019

Preeti Mulay, Sangeeta Paliwal, Venkatesh Iyengar, Samaya Pillai and Ashwini Rao

Advancements in open source, free integrated library management system (LMS) for cataloging, circulation, flexible reporting and automated library services especially in academic…

Abstract

Purpose

Advancements in open source, free integrated library management system (LMS) for cataloging, circulation, flexible reporting and automated library services especially in academic communities has gained extreme importance. The purpose of this study is to provide solution to a distinct problem about automatic generation of multiple copies for unique titles leading to title mismatch and duplication in biblio-records related to university collection of books. The aim of this paper is to provide solution to generate the unique titles report in any large size university library using KOHA, without loss of accession history or empirical data. This paper also demonstrates the smooth transition from one library software to KOHA.

Design/methodology/approach

The case university is considered here as a giant entity having huge collection of reading material, along with multiple institutes affiliations. The study demonstrates a step-by-step trial-and-error method involving several iterations detecting root cause, implementing corrective actions and finally resolving the problem of data redundancy and duplication of records. Currently, KOHA’s user manual does not provide any solution to this problem. The authors believe that this paper will enable various practitioners of KOHA-LMS toward understanding and appreciating the quality of library information/records being managed in delivering quality services to all its users and stakeholders. The methodology used in this work is KOHA’s open access platform, and the existing LMS, for generating unique titles report. The Microsoft’s Excel format, pivot table approach, Libsuite software, SQL queries for KOHA, databases, cloud-based system platform, etc. approaches are used to successfully achieve the unique title report of print books in the university library.

Findings

This paper provides the solution about how to generate a complete and correct unique title report for all print books of the university. The preventive measures related to generation of unique titles when influx of new books or adding new institute(s) under the university are required.

Research limitations/implications

The focus of the work discussed here is limited to generating correct report of unique titles using KOHA related to only print books of a university having multiple institutes affiliated to it.

Practical implications

This paper gives a constructive solution for generation of the unique titles report using KOHA, practically useful for any university or to the institute who wish to use KOHA, one of the open source software used worldwide for libraries.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to study how to generate unique titles report related to print books of the university library. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there exists no such case study from available knowledge base/literature on the topic of interest and particularly focusing on the multiple copies data redundancy problem of KOHA-LMS.

Details

Library Hi Tech News, vol. 36 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0741-9058

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 February 2011

Don Keast

This paper aims to examine the adoption of the open source library management system, Koha, amongst Australian special libraries.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the adoption of the open source library management system, Koha, amongst Australian special libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The spread of Koha in Australian special libraries and the opinions of Koha users on the system have been examined by a survey distributed to all known Australian Koha users. A case study of the Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) library network is also presented, demonstrating many of the practical issues involved in the decision to convert to an open source system.

Findings

The main reasons given for conversion to Koha were practical economic grounds, coupled with dissatisfaction with conventional library systems. Libraries found the conversion to Koha reasonably trouble‐free. Satisfaction ratings on most aspects of Koha performance were “above average” to “good”. Library expectations of value for money and overall cost savings appear to have been realised.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of responding libraries (46.67 per cent of all Koha libraries found) included hosted and non‐hosted installations, and a representative mix of health and non‐health libraries, including three from the tertiary sector. Results were consistent across all groups. Many Koha installations have commenced operation since 2008, and a more comprehensive survey should be undertaken in the future, when the long‐term effects of open source adoption are more evident.

Practical implications

Koha has proved well suited to small health libraries, and the GWAHS experience has been successfully replicated amongst many other Australian special libraries.

Social implications

The switch to open source has enabled many libraries to greatly enhance services to remote users. Financial restrictions which prevented many libraries establishing a web presence have been overcome by open source, resulting in greatly increased contact with library clients

Originality/value

Results of the first survey of Australian Koha users are presented. A case study of the first Australian health library network installation of Koha is also included.

Details

OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, vol. 27 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1065-075X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 April 2013

Bojan Macan, Gladys Vanesa Fernández and Jadranka Stojanovski

The purpose of this study is to present an overview of the two open source (OS) integrated library systems (ILS) – Koha and ABCD (ISIS family), to compare their “next‐generation…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present an overview of the two open source (OS) integrated library systems (ILS) – Koha and ABCD (ISIS family), to compare their “next‐generation library catalog” functionalities, and to give comparison of other important features available through ILS modules.

Design/methodology/approach

Two open source ILSs, Koha and ABCD, were compared in‐depth according to their functionalities and characteristics. A checklist was created for each module: acquisition, cataloging, serials, patron management and circulation, reports and statistics, and administration. For an online catalog module, a separate checklist with “new generation catalog” characteristics was created. The authors also defined an additional set of criteria which could influence the decision process and selection of appropriate ILS like funding, metadata schema, preferred ILS functionalities, provided support, and the role of the IT department, and computer and network infrastructure in the library.

Findings

Evaluation of ILSs reveals that Koha has more functionalities than ABCD, especially those connected with the “next generation library catalog”. If a library is using UNIMARC or MARC21 format for bibliographic description and has a good IT support, Koha is an open source ILS with a wide community which has to be considered for implementation. ABCD has great metasearch possibilities and is worth considering by libraries using other or no metadata schemas or without IT support.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to two research libraries and their praxis and experiences. Further analysis can include other open source ILSs.

Practical implications

This study can help libraries preparing to migrate to open source ILS to choose an appropriate one.

Originality/value

This is the first comprehensive study conducted on Koha and ABCD comparing all modules in detail.

Details

Program, vol. 47 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0033-0337

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 November 2013

Naicheng Chang, Yuchin Tsai, Gordon Dunsire and Alan Hopkinson

The purpose of this paper is to provide broad overviews of functional requirements for bibliographic records (FRBR) in the context of Chinese machine-readable cataloguing (CMARC)…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide broad overviews of functional requirements for bibliographic records (FRBR) in the context of Chinese machine-readable cataloguing (CMARC). It examines areas of the FRBR model, FRBR system development, FRBR applications and FRBR research.

Design/methodology/approach

A Chinese Koha_LibFRBR testbed was set up to develop three activities: building a FRBR application function library called LibFRBR to maintain FRBRized bibliographic records, implementing a mapping algorithm between CMARC/MARC 21 and FRBR, and designing a new generation Chinese FRBR Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) user interface.

Findings

The pilot system implementation demonstrates a workable process with useful output using both automated means (through a Perl module) and manual means (through a cataloguing interface (CI)). The study shows that existing poor Relator Code system and the maintenance of very little authority data in libraries in Taiwan are disadvantages in utilizing the FRBR model.

Practical implications

The software modules developed by this research have been released in GitHub through Koha-Taiwan distributed with a General Public License for further application within the Koha community.

Originality/value

The concrete research outcomes include: providing workable practices for CMARC coding information in FRBR, developing FRBRization of Chinese Koha library management systems, developing FRBR tools including LibFRBR, an application function library used to convert bibliographic records into FRBRized structures in Koha, and FRBR CI for library cataloguers and providing a preliminary evaluation on the views of library cataloguers and OPAC users.

Article
Publication date: 27 June 2019

Muhammad Asim and Muhammad Ijaz Mairaj

This study aims to find out the reasons of adopting Koha integrated library software, discovers the problems faced by librarians during its implementation, and gets the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to find out the reasons of adopting Koha integrated library software, discovers the problems faced by librarians during its implementation, and gets the perceptions of librarians about the performances of Koha in Punjab, a province of Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey method was used to collect the data through questionnaire from the purposefully selected sample (N = 66) of university librarians of Punjab, a province of Pakistan.

Findings

The librarians adopted Koha due to the availability of Web online public access catalog (OPAC), provision of MARC21 standards for cataloging and its free availability. During implementation, the librarians were faced with the problems of lack of technical skills, lack of knowledge about the Linux operating system, shortage of skilled manpower, slow internet speeds and approval from their organization. They highly rated the performance of the cataloguing, circulation, patron and OPAC modules of Koha.

Originality/value

This research provides a brief picture of librarians’ perceptions about Koha adoption and satisfaction levels. The findings highlighted the issues and problems faced during the implementation of Koha. This study will be helpful for librarians in the selection, implementation and usage of the Koha software in their libraries.

Details

The Electronic Library , vol. 37 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 March 2022

Sujan Saha and Sukumar Mandal

The automation of libraries has made a significant difference in the quality of service. All libraries seek to improve the quality of their services, and the library seems to be a…

Abstract

Purpose

The automation of libraries has made a significant difference in the quality of service. All libraries seek to improve the quality of their services, and the library seems to be a frequent target for modernization efforts throughout the globe. Local dialects need specific translations to use library management software. A variety of languages are available to create open-source techniques. The integrated library management system Koha is gaining traction. The Koha software has been translated and made accessible to a worldwide audience in many languages.

Design/methodology/approach

This experiment was based on a controlled setting and a realistic observation of the Koha translation process. A sample of a population is selected to study and draw conclusions about the entire population.

Findings

Results are based on a statistical report made available on the Koha translation site for the gathering of sample data, which is based on sample data that has been collected and brought to light. This analysis demonstrates how to translate Koha software on a pootle server step by step using sting data inputs on different po files accessible in translation databases.

Originality/value

The authors of this paper explain the procedure of translating Koha software and provide a global overview of Koha software translation into different languages throughout the world. Therefore, it can be expected that the importance of Koha software will increase tremendously for the people of different languages through the method of translation.

Details

Library Hi Tech News, vol. 39 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0741-9058

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Mazhar Iqbal, Muhammad Kabir Khan and Arslan Sheikh

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of software for the automation of academic libraries in Sialkot. This study consisted of three objectives, including recognizing…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of software for the automation of academic libraries in Sialkot. This study consisted of three objectives, including recognizing the reasons to adopt the software for library automation, investigating the problems faced by librarians while using library software and identifying the satisfaction level with the attributes of library software.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research approach was used to achieve the objectives of this study. A survey was conducted to collect data from the library information science professionals working in the academic libraries of Sialkot. The data was collected from 46 library professionals through a structured questionnaire.

Findings

The findings showed that the economic cost of implementation, maintenance and the software providing multilingual support were the major reasons for adoption of software for the purpose of automation. In this study, compliance with the internet, noncooperation in library automation by university/institution, availability of training facilities, insufficient library budget, a lack of financial/economic resources, staff transfer and a lack of consultancy and technical service were identified as major issues when using library automation software. However, the respondents were quite satisfied with the performance of software attributes including circulation modules, easy to use cataloguing modules, reports’ modules, software attributes of administration modules and multilingual facility.

Originality/value

This study persuades library and information science professionals to automate their libraries through the adoption of library software.

Details

Information Discovery and Delivery, vol. 51 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6247

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 August 2023

Muhammad Naveed, Nusrat Ali, Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Khurram Shahzad

The purpose of this study is to conduct a bibliometric analysis to discover the published information on the subject of “Library Automation Software.”

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to conduct a bibliometric analysis to discover the published information on the subject of “Library Automation Software.”

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on bibliometric research to analyze the growth of literature on the subject area “Library Automation Software.” The data were retrieved from the leading database Web of Science to analyze the scholarly publications on the topic during 2001–2022. To analyze the bibliometric data on the subject, the VOSviewer, Biblioshiny and MS Excel software were used.

Findings

Results manifest that the topic of “Library Management Systems” has been greatly used by several authors as a title to publish their research work. The USA emerged as the most productive country. The most used keywords to retrieve literature on the topic were “Library Automation,” “Library Management Systems,” “KOHA,” “Integrated Library Systems” and “Open Source Software.”

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first bibliometric study in Pakistan that has been conducted to measure the productivity of literature at the international level on library automation.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 October 2010

Nick Dimant

The purpose of this paper is to look at how the library sector might benefit from open source, from the point of view of the current vendor/owner of Koha, an open source library

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at how the library sector might benefit from open source, from the point of view of the current vendor/owner of Koha, an open source library management system.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on the author's experience in the library systems market.

Findings

The paper finds that increasing numbers of libraries are migrating from the major proprietary vendors to both Evergreen and Koha.

Originality/value

The vendor viewpoint supplies the value of this paper.

Details

Library Review, vol. 59 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

1 – 10 of 210