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The purpose of this paper is to explore the roles that libraries play in the development of open source software.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the roles that libraries play in the development of open source software.
Design/methodology/approach
Analyses how the use of open source software implies freedom and flexibility for libraries.
Findings
This column is simply exploratory, and proposes the motivation for libraries to be more actively involved in the open source movement.
Practical implications
As libraries are also involved in discussions regarding open access publishing and open standards for metadata and protocols, so should they take a more active role in the testing and development of open source software. Taking this role will not only assist libraries in the furtherance of important digital projects but extend the primary activities of librarianship in general.
Originality/value
One of the values of this column is to present, via the convergence of the open initiatives, a motivation for libraries to be more actively involved in the open source movement as an extension of traditional librarianship and as an enhancement to the digital projects and services they are already engaged in.
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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…
Abstract
Purpose
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.
Design/methodology/approach
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.
Findings
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.
Originality/value
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.
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The purpose of this paper is to describe the open access and open source movement in the digital library world.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the open access and open source movement in the digital library world.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of key developments in the open access and open source movement is provided.
Findings
Open source software and open access to research findings are of great use to scholars in developing nations.
Originality/value
This paper provides useful information about software for institutions introducing digital library concepts.
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The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of national libraries in developing national open access infrastructure and policy on the basis of the experiences of the National…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of national libraries in developing national open access infrastructure and policy on the basis of the experiences of the National Library (NL) of Sweden.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is descriptive based on the knowledge of a key player in the development of open access in Sweden. The priorities and outcome of the programme are described.
Findings
The paper reveals that the NL Sweden since around 1990 has combined the mission of a “traditional” national library with that of a national, research library authority. It has coordinated its support for development of repositories and open access in the OpenAccess.se programme that ran from 2006 to 2009. The conclusion is that a national library can successfully act as a catalyst for closer cooperation between the main bodies of research and research libraries in advancing an Open Access agenda and developing a digital research information infrastructure. This is because it is usually placed directly under the government and thus closer to national policy making. It is often perceived as unbiased in relation to the different interests of the various parties involved. It is also able to advance development projects into sustainable services.
Originality/value
The role of national libraries in relation to open access has not been discussed widely. The experience of the NL Sweden in this respect has a general interest.
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Zainab Ajab Mohideen, Arslan Sheikh and Kiran Kaur
A surge of library activities and technological advances have increased the demand for data accuracy and agility among library clientele. Therefore, novel approaches are needed to…
Abstract
Purpose
A surge of library activities and technological advances have increased the demand for data accuracy and agility among library clientele. Therefore, novel approaches are needed to extend library services. This paper aims to introduce the implementation of a prototype mobile library application (app) designed using an in-house open source system, Koha.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a case study using a metamorphosis process to create mobile apps. This case study is tested based on the library services with a set of activities during the system acceptance test (SAT) and also user acceptance test (UAT). An application programming interface (API) used to support two-way communication, including system-to-component and system-to-system connectivity. The design, features and advantages of this mobile app are discussed, illustrated and analyzed. The case study reports the mobile app version development from the Koha Open Source Library Information System.
Findings
The app was tested using user acceptance test (UAT) and system acceptance test (SAT) by library staffs who found it functional, accessible, appealing and useful. Features such as Online Public Access Catalog search, library collection scanning, patron accounts, patron personal book collection, circulation, librarian chat, QR codes for borrowing books, social media integration and notifications of library activities and events were successfully tested. This process was useful for the creation of a mobile app based on the existing library System-Koha Open Source System.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to a case study of a national university in Malaysia.
Practical implications
This study has some practical implications for implementing library mobile applications, e.g. it will encourage librarians to implement library applications in libraries.
Originality/value
This study is useful for mobile developers and libraries that plan to offer mobile library services to their patrons. This paper presents a case study of metamorphosis existing process of library open source System-Koha Open Source System.
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This is a case study on the opportunities provided by Open Source library systems and the experience of delivering these systems through a shared service.
Abstract
Purpose
This is a case study on the opportunities provided by Open Source library systems and the experience of delivering these systems through a shared service.
Methodology/approach
This chapter derives from desk research, interviews, and direct involvement in the project. The format is a case study, setting out a detailed timeline of events with information that can be applied in other settings.
Findings
This chapter presents reflections on the value and limitations of collaboration amongst libraries and librarians on an innovative approach to library systems and technologies. It also presents reflections on lessons learned from the processes and detailed discussion of the success factors for shared services and the reasons why such initiatives may not result in the outcomes predicted at the start.
Practical implications
Libraries and IT services considering Open Source and shared service approaches to provision will find material in this study useful when planning their projects.
Social implications
The nature of collaboration and collaborative working is studied and observations made about the way that outcomes cannot always be predicted or controlled. In a genuine collaboration, the outcome is determined by the interactions between the partners and is unique to the specifics of that collaboration.
Originality/value
The case study derives from interviews, written material and direct observation not generally in the public domain, providing a strong insider’s view of the activity.
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The paper presents a literature review on research data management services in African academic and research libraries on the backdrop of the advancing open science and open…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper presents a literature review on research data management services in African academic and research libraries on the backdrop of the advancing open science and open research data infrastructures. It provides areas of focus for library to support open research data.
Design/methodology/approach
The literature analysis and future role of African libraries in research data management services were based on three areas as follows:open science, research infrastructures and open data infrastructures. Focussed literature searches were conducted across several electronic databases and discovery platforms, and a qualitative content analysis approach was used to explore the themes based on a coded list.
Findings
The review reports of an environment where open science in Africa is still at developmental stages. Research infrastructures face funding and technical challenges. Data management services are in formative stages with progress reported in a few countries where open science and research data management policies have emerged, cyber and data infrastructures are being developed and limited data librarianship courses are being taught.
Originality/value
The role of the academic and research libraries in Africa remains important in higher education and the national systems of research and innovation. Libraries should continue to align with institutional and national trends in response to the provision of data management services and as partners in the development of research infrastructures.
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– This paper compares the technical support-related experiences with the expectations of librarians using open source Integrated Library Systems (ILS).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper compares the technical support-related experiences with the expectations of librarians using open source Integrated Library Systems (ILS).
Design/methodology/approach
A combination of surveys and triangulating interviews was conducted to obtain the results presented.
Findings
The results of this study indicate that there are many channels of technical support available to librarians who use open source ILS. Also, these channels of technical support perform at acceptable levels according to the expectations of librarians using open source software.
Research limitations/implications
The results presented in this study are self-reported expectations and experiences of librarians and not observed experiences.
Practical implications
The results from this study will provide an insight to librarians contemplating adoption or migration to open source ILS. The results presented here will be useful in decision-making as well as developing a strategy for technical support based on the presented options.
Originality/value
The interest in open source ILS has been observed and studied in the last decade, but the technical support of open source systems, which is a critical component of the adoption process, has not received much attention. This paper focuses specifically on the technical support for open source ILS and provides insight into the experiences of librarians.
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It is difficult today, after a decade which has seen the introduction of the 35 hour week, when people spend more time at recreation than at work; and when as a result of these…
Abstract
It is difficult today, after a decade which has seen the introduction of the 35 hour week, when people spend more time at recreation than at work; and when as a result of these developments there has been a substantial growth in interest in leisure and its uses, to realise the difficulties which must have faced the pioneers of nineteenth century public library service in establishing a service which was accessible to its intended clientele, the working class; in particular the difficulty of establishing adequate opening hours. Today because of changing economic and social circumstances there has been a tendency to curtail the opening hours of libraries. While this has been done with some reluctance in most cases, it has been accompanied by very little discussion of its impact on library services and the users of those services. Historically the problem of opening hours for public libraries has been very little discussed. The general tendency has been to dismiss the matter as a very minor problem. Allred for example writes These libraries were soon opened at hours convenient to the working man.
The purpose of this paper is to report on the 32nd International Association of Technological University Libraries (IATUL) Conference held in Warsaw from 29 May to 2 June 2011.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on the 32nd International Association of Technological University Libraries (IATUL) Conference held in Warsaw from 29 May to 2 June 2011.
Design/methodology/approach
This report uses a journalistic approach based on the author's attendance at the conference.
Findings
The findings, comprising recaps of sessions, will hopefully attract other librarians to consider attending future IATUL conferences, or to take some of the suggestions mentioned about “openness” in general and apply them in their own libraries.
Originality/value
This report reflects originality in that all information reported is solely the opinion and reflection of the author.
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