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The purpose of this paper is to present a comparative study of selected existing library automation software available in India.

The literature search was carried out to collect the data regarding library automation, library software. Survey, questionnaire and personal visit to local library software developer, method were used. The questionnaire was designed on the basis of software application, operating system used, hardware requirement and modules provided. These questionnaires were sent to all software developers. On receiving of the ten questionnaires, data were analyzed and tabulated. The last step was report preparation and drawing conclusions.

It is observed that total ten software provided acquisition, cataloguing, online public access catalog (OPAC), circulation and serial control facility. Only five library softwares provide online facility. Out of ten library software; LibSys is the highly rated one having 37 software features followed by SOUL software having 36 points followed by 35 points of Wolk Soft Tech software. SLIM 21 and SLM+ + has 34 points. It is necessary to improve the quality of software for providing effective services. In circulation, 18 features are added. Out of 18 features, SOUL has all the 18 features and is highly ranked followed by Libman, SLIM 21, SLIM+ +and Wolk Soft tech have 17 point each, respectively. Libtech has 16 circulation features. In the OPAC module, 20 features have been studied. Out of 20 features, Libman has all the 20 features and is highly rated followed by SOUL software, which includes 19 features. Out of 20 features, LibSys has 18 software features. Out of 11 features, LibSys, SLIM 21 and SOUL has all 11 features followed by DELPLUS, Libman and Libtech having ten points each. In serial control, six features are added. Out of six features, I‐Lib, Libman, LibSys, Libtech, SLIM 21, SLIM++, Softlib and SOUL have all the six features followed by four features in DELPLUS, and Wolk Soft tech. The credibility of library software packages is evaluated on the basis of their salient features and the facilities available in the software. On the basis of the salient features, and the facilities provided, the software is ranked by giving points to each facility as per features. SOUL software scored first rank (90 points) among all ten software followed by Libman (84 points) and LibSys (83 points).

In total, 72 library automation software packages have been developed in India. But for this study, ten selected software packages have been chosen on the basis of their usability and implementation to libraries.

After this study, one can enable to evaluate the library automation software packages and ranks them according to their features so that they can implement the particular software for library automation to their own library.

The paper provides a comprehensive picture of features, facilities available and services rendered by various library automation software packages in India. None of the research has been done till now on evaluation of these ten library software in India.

The study aimed to look at the library software in use in Nigerian university libraries, and the challenges and frustrations experienced in their automation projects.

The study adopts a descriptive survey method and covers university libraries in Nigeria. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 32 university libraries in Nigeria.

The study revealed that university libraries in Nigeria widely use library software such as KOHA, SLAM and VIRTUA for their library operations. Challenges such as lack of skilled manpower, lack of fund, absence of modern systems (computers) and erratic power supply were identified as the major problems university libraries in Nigeria encountered while using library software. Librarians recommended the use of KOHA, SLAM or VIRTUA library software for use by university libraries that are in search for library software to use.

The findings of this study will provide useful information to librarians and library administrators in Nigeria and other developing countries who want to automate their library operations.

Software has played a crucial role in the management of library operations. Nigerian university libraries are embarking on automation by adopting different library software but many fail due to the wrong selection of software and improper management of the automation project. The paper aims to examine the selection and use of KOHA software in two private Nigerian universities.

Purposive sampling was used to select 255 respondents made up of two systems librarians, eight heads of library units and 245 faculty. Data were collected through questionnaire, interview and observation.

KOHA was selected because of integration, ease of use, accessibility, flexibility and feasibility study was carried out. The software was not maximally used in both universities (RU: 49 percent, BU: 64.3 percent).

This paper investigates the factors used for selection of the software, level of use and challenges to its use. It is relevant to university libraries because it emphasises the need to carry out in‐depth feasibility study before the adoption of software to increase the effectiveness of their libraries.

The purpose of this study was to develop and update database of books in the International Management Institute Bhubaneswar. The study presents the status of automation in International Management Institute Bhubaneswar. A properly computerized library will help its user with quick services. Library automation refers to mechanization of library housekeeping operations predominantly by computerization. Implement automated system using New Gen Lib (NGL) library integrated open source software to carry out the functions of the circulation section more effectively to provide various search option to know the availability of books in the library and generate the list of books due by the particular member and also overdue charges. NGL is an integrated software system with required models for small to very large libraries. Being an open source any library wanted to go for automation for their library housekeeping operations can make use of this software.

Open source is a software development model and a software distribution model. In this model, the source code of programs is made freely available with the software itself, so that anyone can see, change and distribute it provided they abide by the accompanying license. In this sense, open source is similar to peer review, which is used to strengthen the progress of scholarly communication. The open source software differs from the closed source or proprietary software, which may only be obtained by some form of payment, either by purchase or by leasing. The primary difference between the two is the freedom to modify the software. An open system is a design philosophy antithetical to solutions designed to be proprietary. The idea behind it is that institutions, such as libraries, can build a combination of components and deliver services that include several vendors' offerings. Thus, for instance, a library might use an integrated library system from one of the major vendors in combination with an open source product developed by another library or by itself to better meet its internal or users' requirements.

NGL free software is constantly being updated, changed and customized to meet the library's needs. While all of this is fine and dandy, and sounds like the win-win solution for your library, there are still pitfalls and hurdles we will need to overcome. Hopefully, this article provides some introductory information as to how to wean your library off of traditional computing products and dive into the pool of open source resources available today. Libraries in the developing countries are able to support electronic access, digital libraries and resource sharing because they are able to use Open sources Software (OSS). Even libraries in well-developed countries are becoming more inclined toward OSS to improve their services.

To develop and updated database of books and other online/printed resources of the International Management Institute Bhubaneswar. To implement automated system using NGL library integrated open sources software. To carry out the charging and discharging functions of the circulation section and Provide Various search options to know the availability of books in the library.

Based on the sales figures reported to Library Journal's annual survey of the library automation marketplace, Ameritech Inc., Geac Computers Inc., Sirsi Corporation, IME Systems Inc. and Innovative Interfaces Inc. dominated the sales of minicomputer‐based integrated online library systems (IOLS) software in 1995. Data Trek, Inmagic, Follett Software Corporation, Winnebago Software Corporation and COMPanion dominated the microcomputer‐based IOLS software sales for the same period.

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.

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.

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.

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

The following bibliography focuses mainly on programs which can run on IBM microcomputers and compatibles under the operating system PC DOS/MS DOS, and which can be used in online information and documentation work. They fall into the following categories:

This paper aims to study the open source integrated library management systems, i.e. Koha and NewGenLib, to inform librarians about what considerations to make when choosing an open source integrated library management system (ILMS) for their library.

The paper provides a detailed comparative analysis of both types of software, i.e. Koha (3.2.4) and NewGenLib (3.0), which are undertaken in the study. The methodology used for the study is “Evaluation method” which is followed with the help of structured evaluation checklist prepared after the thorough study of reference tools, reference statistical data available and related literature. Both types of software are evaluated and compared qualitatively and quantitatively.

Both types of software are web‐enabled and support library automation. Koha has more specific characteristics of open source ILMS. Koha needs to upgrade, modify and improve its features. Koha requires very little hardware and is easy to install. Koha has advanced database features. NewGenLib has better functionality of modules than Koha. More formats and standards are supported by Koha. Digital library functionality of NewGenLib is more specific in terms of technology, data structure and programming. Also NewGenLib provides more user help and support whereas Koha provides more user‐friendly downloads and a documentation facility. NewGenLib has more enhanced features which are significant for ILMS while selecting software for automation.

The comparative analysis of the open source ILMS done in the study will help librarians in making necessary considerations while choosing an open source software for the library.

The paper presents a detailed evaluative study carried out using a comprehensive checklist designed for the study.

This paper is the part of PhD research of the principal researcher. This paper aims to describe current status of library software being used in the libraries of Pakistan, role of national and foreign agencies in the development of library software in Pakistan, problems faced by the libraries in implementation and to highlight the recommendations by the experts in the field to overcome the problems. It also attempts to provide a bibliography on the topic to researchers in the field of library and information science.

Available literature was reviewed. The articles were usually published in national and international journals of library and information science and contributed by Pakistani authors. Other sources consulted were books, conference proceedings, theses and dissertations and websites of libraries and professionals’ organisations.

The situation in Pakistan regarding library software cannot be compared with the that in advanced countries. Lack of standard library software, the multilingual nature of the library collections, poor budgets, computer illiteracy, software piracy and unavailability of support from local vendors are the main hindrances in the effective implementation of library software. In the available literature, experts have recommended the formulation of a consortium or a body under the umbrella of the Government of Pakistan which could provide standard library software, along with technical support, innovation and upgrades of the software, to meet the needs of Pakistani libraries.

This is the first paper that presents the current status of library software in Pakistan, problems faced by the libraries in implementation of library software and recommendations suggested by the experts to overcome the problems.

This paper tries to identify the extent of adoption and utility of Greenstone Digital Library Software (GDLS) in Persian language in Iran. What are the powerful capabilities and features of Greenstone and what about its programming bugs and errors toward information retrieval and storage in Persian language?

The study adopted evaluative survey and direct observation through nine spectrums checklist based on Greenstone capabilities and features. Then viewpoints of computer and library and information science (LIS) specialists obtained and analyzed. After that, a digital Persian collection has been designed with Greenstone and analyzed. A statistical analysis scheme was employed to evaluate the software.

The study obtained the following conclusions: there is similar consensus about GSLS effectiveness and capabilities between researcher and specialists. There is a lack of experts in Perl and Java programming language for upgrading of software in Iran. Further, software infrastructure especially in the interaction, support of standards and metadata features is powerful. Relatively poor user interface, incomplete sorting of Persian alphabet for “” characters, immature Unicode support like KWIC (or phind) index are some outstanding bugs.

The absence of complete and huge Persian digital library based on Greenstone was one of the major constraints of survey.

If national entity supports localization of Greenstone, it will be a suitable solution for Persian digital library. Using Greenstone in the absence of financial resource for commercial software is a good choice.

Using Greenstone to support digital libraries is a new trend as open source digital library solution in Iran for Persian language. This study can not only be a starting point for further discussions on the localization of open source digital library software, but also be applied to other researches.