An
article
on Opensource.com caught my attention
today. The article focused on developing and using open source
solutions in libraries. Libraries are one of the places where openness
and sharing go hand-in-hand. Why more open source software solutions
aren't found there I don't really understand.
Take my library for instance. There are ten computers there for the
public to use. These computers are running old versions of Microsoft
Windows and old versions of Internet Explorer. The software is so old
and antiquated that I've actually had problems using some web
applications on these computers. The library also uses the SirsiDynix
software for its
ILS
solution. This software offers one of the worst search I've ever
experienced. Even if I know the title of the resource I'm looking for
it doesn't generally help in locating the resource in the database. The
system also lacks a history feature so you can obtain a list of items
you've checked out. It would also be nice if their system integrated
with the state's electronic library so that a single search would show
books (and media) available locally as well as electronic versions
available from the state.
I want to take a closer look at Koha
and see if their ILS solution is any better. If it is I may approach my
library management people with this solution. I will propose they use
Linux (Fedora?) for their public computers as it will yield a more
secure and better web-browsing environment at less cost. Libraries
support sharing and learning and should take advantage of the sharing
and learning that comes with open source software.