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9781538141397

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A wonderfully inclusive, accessible, and forward-looking introduction to the universe of open source library systems. Writing for experts and general library science practitioners alike, Wilson and Mitchell elegantly demystify open source and demonstrate its vital importance to the future of libraries.--Michael Rodriguez, collections strategist, University of Connecticut Library At a time when libraries struggle with spending more money on technology to manage resources instead of the resources themselves, this book is a welcome guide. The dual burden of annual price increases for resources and the need for expensive technical solutions to integrate and manage them is unsustainable. If library open source solutions weren't on your radar before, this book is a must. Open Source Library Systems is an excellent resource to either read through for a well-organized and comprehensive understanding of the topic or as a reference for information by library function.--Janetta Waterhouse, MLIS, PMP, director of technical services and library systems, University at Albany For libraries looking to replace existing technology or looking for new solutions, whether for ILS, digital repositories, discovery, ERM, etc., this is the essential guide. Authors Mitchell and Wilson provide a comprehensive review of the concepts, history, current state, and future directions of open source software (OSS) in libraries along with useful advice for software evaluation. Among these I note, 'An individual or organization must evaluate the ecosystem around an application, ' which we have found to be of upmost importance. A better one-stop guide cannot be imagined!--Walter Stine, executive director, Fenway Library Organization Open Source Library Systems: A Guide should be required reading for anyone considering an ILS, Digital Repository, Discovery, Resource Sharing, or E-Resource Management system change.--Rob Ross, executive director of NC LIVE Wilson and Mitchell provide big picture thinking about open source as well as practical, hands-on options libraries have when navigating the world of choices available now. As the traditional software markets shrink and the OSS flourish, every library thinking about their next generation of tools will want to read this.--Tricia Racke Bengel, Ingram Library Services, sales & services manager

Wilson and Mitchell provide the most comprehensive survey of open source (OS) library systems to date. The first two chapters (of nine) provide a basic explanation of OS software and its licensing, a brief history of its development, and an overview of its history in and value for libraries. The subsequent chapters cover essential library technological services: each broadly introduces its topic and associated core concepts, describes the history and development of that type of platform, and discusses the current state of library affairs. Chapter topics include OS library systems; integrated library systems (Koha, Evergreen, and FOLIO); institutional repositories (dSpace, EPrints, Islandora, Samvera, and Omeka); OS discovery tools (Aspen, Blacklight, Pika, and VuFind); resource- sharing platforms (FulfILLment and Project ReShare); electronic resource managers (CORAL and FOLIO); and archival management systems (Archon, Archivist's Toolkit, ArchivesSpace, AtoM). The clear strength of this work is its detailed analysis of the various OS platforms. Because it weighs the strengths and weaknesses of major OS offerings, the volume will prove valuable for libraries considering a move to an OS system or tool. It offers practical deployment considerations and nuanced historical contexts for each platform discussed. Recommended. Graduate students and professionals.-- Choice The bulk of the book details the history, technical aspects, licensing issues, and major service providers of open source digital repositories, discovery layers, resource sharing platforms, and electronic-resource-management software. Specific examples of library organizational experiences with different systems provide practical insider information... This book is an even-handed overview of past and current open source library management systems, backed up by extensive references. They caution about implementing and supporting such software, but also note trends that make open source solutions less risky nowadays. The technical aspects of this book are not for the faint-hearted, but librarians will be better informed about this important management decision as a result of reading it.-- Booklist A wonderfully inclusive, accessible, and forward-looking introduction to the universe of open source library systems. Writing for experts and general library science practitioners alike, Wilson and Mitchell elegantly demystify open source and demonstrate its vital importance to the future of libraries.--Michael Rodriguez, collections strategist, University of Connecticut Library At a time when libraries struggle with spending more money on technology to manage resources instead of the resources themselves, this book is a welcome guide. The dual burden of annual price increases for resources and the need for expensive technical solutions to integrate and manage them is unsustainable. If library open source solutions weren't on your radar before, this book is a must. Open Source Library Systems is an excellent resource to either read through for a well-organized and comprehensive understanding of the topic or as a reference for information by library function.--Janetta Waterhouse, MLIS, PMP, director of technical services and library systems, University at Albany For libraries looking to replace existing technology or looking for new solutions, whether for ILS, digital repositories, discovery, ERM, etc., this is the essential guide. Authors Mitchell and Wilson provide a comprehensive review of the concepts, history, current state, and future directions of open source software (OSS) in libraries along with useful advice for software evaluation. Among these I note, 'An individual or organization must evaluate the ecosystem around an application, ' which we have found to be of upmost importance. A better one-stop guide cannot be imagined!--Walter Stine, executive director, Fenway Library Organization Open Source Library Systems: A Guide should be required reading for anyone considering an ILS, Digital Repository, Discovery, Resource Sharing, or E-Resource Management system change.--Rob Ross, executive director of NC LIVE Wilson and Mitchell provide big picture thinking about open source as well as practical, hands-on options libraries have when navigating the world of choices available now. As the traditional software markets shrink and the OSS flourish, every library thinking about their next generation of tools will want to read this.--Tricia Racke Bengel, Ingram Library Services, sales & services manager

Integrated library management systems are vital for most libraries. The options are many in terms of features, platforms, and cost. Some librarians embrace the concept of open source programs as well as the cost. However, as with commercial and in-house-created systems, open source library systems need thorough understanding and investigation. Those details comprise this book. Both authors are university systems librarians and have worked in other types of libraries where they have implemented technology solutions. The bulk of the book details the history, technical aspects, licensing issues, and major service providers of open source digital repositories, discovery layers, resource sharing platforms, and electronic-resource-management software. Specific examples of library organizational experiences with different systems provide practical insider information. The final chapter summarizes the case for open source software for libraries, noting other options. Appendixes offer suggestions and challenges in selecting and implementing library systems, but do not detail migration processes. An index concludes the volume. The authors are also clear in stating that they do not cover the general topics of open educational resources or open access, but do suggest some books that treat those topics. This book is an even-handed overview of past and current open source library management systems, backed up by extensive references. They caution about implementing and supporting such software, but also note trends that make open source solutions less risky nowadays. The technical aspects of this book are not for the faint-hearted, but librarians will be better informed about this important management decision as a result of reading it.-- Booklist A wonderfully inclusive, accessible, and forward-looking introduction to the universe of open source library systems. Writing for experts and general library science practitioners alike, Wilson and Mitchell elegantly demystify open source and demonstrate its vital importance to the future of libraries.--Michael Rodriguez, collections strategist, University of Connecticut Library At a time when libraries struggle with spending more money on technology to manage resources instead of the resources themselves, this book is a welcome guide. The dual burden of annual price increases for resources and the need for expensive technical solutions to integrate and manage them is unsustainable. If library open source solutions weren't on your radar before, this book is a must. Open Source Library Systems is an excellent resource to either read through for a well-organized and comprehensive understanding of the topic or as a reference for information by library function.--Janetta Waterhouse, MLIS, PMP, director of technical services and library systems, University at Albany For libraries looking to replace existing technology or looking for new solutions, whether for ILS, digital repositories, discovery, ERM, etc., this is the essential guide. Authors Mitchell and Wilson provide a comprehensive review of the concepts, history, current state, and future directions of open source software (OSS) in libraries along with useful advice for software evaluation. Among these I note, 'An individual or organization must evaluate the ecosystem around an application, ' which we have found to be of upmost importance. A better one-stop guide cannot be imagined!--Walter Stine, executive director, Fenway Library Organization Open Source Library Systems: A Guide should be required reading for anyone considering an ILS, Digital Repository, Discovery, Resource Sharing, or E-Resource Management system change.--Rob Ross, executive director of NC LIVE Wilson and Mitchell provide big picture thinking about open source as well as practical, hands-on options libraries have when navigating the world of choices available now. As the traditional software markets shrink and the OSS flourish, every library thinking about their next generation of tools will want to read this.--Tricia Racke Bengel, Ingram Library Services, sales & services manager

Author Information

Robert Wilson is systems librarian and assistant professor at Middle Tennessee State University’s Walker Library. He has worked with library systems since 2011 in school, public, and academic libraries as well as the vendor side as an analyst and implementation manager. He has an MS in information systems from Middle Tennessee State University and an MSLIS from Drexel University. He’s implemented dozens of open and closed source library systems at the libraries he's worked with and as a support analyst and later as an implementation manager worked with hundreds of libraries in implementation and integration of dozens of types of library software and applications. James Mitchell is systems llibrarian at the University of North Alabama’s Collier Library, where he additionally serves as manager of Collier Experimental Learning Lab (CELL), Collier Library’s makerspace. Since 2012, James has been responsible for implementing technology solutions within archives and libraries in both public and academic libraries. He holds an MLIS from the University of Alabama.

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