CIL2012: Open Source Trends and Migration

Marshall Breeding (@mbreeding)

The basic library automation trend is moving from the legacy ILS model to an increased reliance on cloud computing.  Libraries will be able to use APIs to integrate and customize the systems.

The use of open source to automate libraries has been happening in the U.S. since 2004. 

Recent ILS contracts signed - 2011 - A growing number of open source contracts being signed.  Not dominant yet, but a growing segment.  Consistently growing on a gentle slope.

Some of what he mentioned...

• Lots of libraries are using Sierra (not open source).
• SirsiDynix has good sales outside of the U.S.
• Polaris is going well in mid-size and large library arena.
• Libraries are moving away from LibLime Koha to other supported version of Koha or to other ILSs.

Interesting to see in Breeding's data the difference in satisfaction between Koha as implemented by PTLS/LibLime and Koha as implemented by ByWater.

Commercial Involvement
Almost all installations of open source ILS in the U.S. involved contracts with commercial companies.
A very small minority of independent installations.
Some non-profit offerings (e.g., Lyrasis).
Some consortial arrangements.


Open source allows you to open up the system and the data. 

New library management model requires a high level of APIs.


Irene McDermott (@imcdermo)

Moved from a commercial solution to open source.

The maintenance contract for SirsiDynix Horizon was about $60,00 per year.
Had six months to find a new solution.
RFPs from SirsiDynix, Polaris (significantly less expensive than SirsiDynix) and LibLime Koha (least expensive).
Koha (means "gift") was developed in NZ in 1999.
In 2002, a librarian in Ohio installed it and then created LibLime.  LibLime then created some proprietary components and was not open source.  There is still a version that is still completely open source.
LibLime was sold to PTFS in 2010.
June 2011 extracted their data from SirsiDynix.
Went live in Koha at the start of August 2011.
In order to comply with the Patriot Act, they had some alternations made to the system.
Koha in general is being developed by volunteers.  Broken pieces aren't necessarily removed.
You do need to know SQL to generate reports.
Platform agnostics, but works best with Firefox.

Was this the best decision for their library?  Layoffs vs. Koha
Technologically modern.
Integrated in with other software.

Wow...we nearly had a Koha fight!