Practical Open Source Software for Libraries

by Nicole C. Engard

Open source refers to an application whose source code is made available for use or modification as users see fit. This means libraries gain more flexibility and freedom than with software purchased with license restrictions. Both the open source community and the library world live by the same rules and principles. Practical Open Source Software for Libraries explains the facts and dispels myths about open source. Chapters introduce librarians to open source and what it means for libraries. The reader is provided with links to a toolbox full of freely available open source products to use in their libraries.

Genres: Library Science

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Nicole is the Vice President of Education at ByWater Solutions. In her over ten years in libraries she has dedicated herself to educating librarians about technologies both on her site web2learning.net and in person with a focus on open source. In 2010 she authored 'Practical Open Source Software for Libraries' and regularly writes for various library outlets about open source for libraries.

Reviews

[Danie van der Merwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book may be 7 years old but the principles around the use of open source software for libraries, archives, museums and other heritage collections are just as relevant today. Whilst I knew about the major library OPAC systems I did not know about some other systems such as Krete (collaborative archiving of digital material that can include the community).

Although 7 years old it is still recommended reading for any librarian or archivist purely from the point of view of opening their eyes to what is freely available from their colleagues around the world. And yes there may already be some newer systems available, but we would never know if we did not read a book like this.