Implementing the Koha integrated library system at the Independent University, Bangladesh

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 642-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Ahammad

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain how the author carried out the implementation of the Koha open-source integrated library system (ILS) at the Independent University Bangladesh (IUB) Library, stated how much easy it is to implement Koha in a library and encouraged library professionals to implement Koha in their libraries. Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes the author’s practical experiences regarding implementation of the Koha open-source ILS. Findings – Koha has those functionalities which can fulfill the library automation need of the IUB Library. That is why Koha is selected. Other librarians can easily implement Koha in their libraries. Practical implications – This paper will help librarians to implement Koha in a practical way to their libraries. The author implemented Koha at the IUB Library within three months, and the author used migrated data from Computerized Documentation System/Integrated Set of Information System to MARC-21 for books and made new MARC-21 records for movies. Originality/value – The author is the youngest library professional who implemented Koha at a private university library in Bangladesh. This will influence librarians to learn Koha and implement it in their libraries.

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 13-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayank Yuvaraj

Purpose This paper aims to carry out an evaluative study of the cloud-based integrated library management solution (ILMS): Librarika. Design/methodology/approach An evaluation checklist was designed from the review of existing ILMSs as well as literature review. The checklist was distributed to the library staff of the Central University of South Bihar. Findings Librarika was found to be comparable with existing open-source ILMSs but lacked transparency of data. Librarika had all the features of the commonly available open-source ILMSs, like KOHA. However, respondents pointed out that Librarika had a better circulation module and online public access catalogue (OPAC) features compared to other ILMSs. Concerns over data ownership, migration and portability in the cloud were considered as the major bottlenecks in its adoption. Practical implications The study will help other libraries in decision-making who are considering Librarika for their ILMSs. Originality/value Till date, no evaluative study has been carried out on any cloud-based ILMS.


2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 6-9
Author(s):  
Alix Norton

Purpose – This aim of this report is to summarize how Google Sites can be used as an open-source, intuitive, and robust solution for designing an intranet system for a unique library department. Michigan Publishing is a department within the University of Michigan (U-M) campus library system that also includes a revenue-based operation as the U-M Press. The need for a central documentation system has become apparent to organize and streamline policies and procedures in this unique library department. Google Sites was chosen as a solution to compile departmental documentation and serve as a collaborative space for the many units within Michigan Publishing. Design/methodology/approach – One librarian and one graduate student intern worked on this project for 5-10 hours a week over the course of three months. Michigan Publishing managers created an inventory showing all existing informational resources in the department, and were then interviewed about these resources. An initial “landing page” was created for this Google-based site, and more comprehensive content has since been migrated from existing informational resources to this central site. Findings – A specific Google Sites Staff Intranet for Michigan Publishing has been an integral solution for providing a one-stop, central area for current internal resources. It also fosters a sense of departmental identity and community, since there are many separate units within the department, each with a different focus and place within the larger library system. This site provides an online forum for collaboration, communication and policy codification. Originality/value – This report summarizes how Google Sites can be used as an open-source, intuitive, and robust solution for designing an intranet system for a unique library department.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 239-252
Author(s):  
Robin Hastings ◽  
Heather Braum ◽  
Harry Willems ◽  
Crystal Hutchinson ◽  
Gail Santy ◽  
...  

Purpose Three of the seven regional systems in Kansas report on the history and use of the open-source Koha integrated library system (ILS) in their regions. Design/methodology/approach Each of the systems wrote up their experiences and then they collaborated on sections that discussed how they work together to achieve success with this product. Findings Each of the systems will continue to use the Koha software, and there are a few stand-alone instances of Koha already in place in Kansas. Development and advocacy of the product will be continued by all three of the systems. Originality/value This is a rare instance of three separate consortia coming together to work on improving everyone’s experience with an open-source ILS. The authors feel that the experiences they have had with this software are of value to anyone considering making use of it.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 10-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuti Saxena

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to appreciate the futuristic trends of Big and Open Linked Data (BOLD). While designating the ongoing progress of BOLD as BOLD 0.0, the paper also identifies the trajectory of BOLD 0.0 as BOLD 1.0, BOLD 2.0 and BOLD 3.0 in terms of the complexity and management of data sets from different sources. Design/methodology/approach This is a viewpoint and the ideas presented here are personal. Findings The trajectory of BOLD shall witness ever-growing challenges as the nature and scope of data sets grow complicated. The paper posits that by the time BOLD would attain its maturity, there would be a need for newer technologies and data architecture platforms which are relatively affordable and available as “Open Source”, if possible. Research limitations/implications Being exploratory in approach, this viewpoint presents a futuristic trend, which may or may not be valid. Nevertheless, there are significant practical implications for the academicians and practitioners to appreciate the likely challenges in the coming times for ensuring the sustainability of BOLD. Originality/value While there are a number of studies on BOLD, there are no studies which seek to propose the possible trends in BOLD’s progress. This paper seeks to plug this gap.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 332-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helene Lafrance ◽  
Shannon B. Kealey

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the planning, implementation and assessment of a personal librarian (PL) program for transfer students at a four-year private university. It highlights best practices to ensure the success of such a program, emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other campus units and explores the possible applications for other underserved student populations. Design/methodology/approach This paper explains why the PL model is particularly appropriate to serve the needs of transfer students. It clearly describes the assessment methods to evaluate such a program and proposes best practices to ensure success and sustainability. Findings Transfer students respond very positively to a PL program as shown by the number of interactions they have with their PLs and their responses to a survey. Librarians also appreciate the chance to develop meaningful relationships with students despite the addition to their workload. Practical implications Institutions looking at ways to reach out to transfer students or other underserved populations can easily adapt the PL program described here. Originality/value The PL concept is not new but, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first time it has been applied to transfer students. The program described here is also unique because of its “boutique” approach, which emphasizes customization and personalization.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 19-21

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Engaging in various participatory behaviors can help firms in the technology sector to improve financial returns from open source development collaborations. Project outcomes become significantly more attainable when such businesses are active in the open source communities as this helps build the symbiotic relationships that can generate valuable social capital. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 688-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vandana Singh

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.


2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Fox

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the roles that libraries play in the development of open source software.Design/methodology/approachAnalyses how the use of open source software implies freedom and flexibility for libraries.FindingsThis column is simply exploratory, and proposes the motivation for libraries to be more actively involved in the open source movement.Practical implicationsAs 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/valueOne 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.


Author(s):  
David Myers ◽  
Alison Dalgity ◽  
Ioannis Avramides

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the Arches heritage inventory and management system for the benefit of practitioners working with heritage inventories. Arches is a modern software platform purpose-built for the creation and management of inventories to support effective heritage place management. The system was developed as open source software jointly by the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and World Monuments Fund (WMF). Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses the needs and challenges addressed by the GCI and WMF in developing Arches, explains the system’s design and functionality, reports on software releases and ongoing enhancements, describes current software implementations, and concludes by discussing the role and growth of the open source community and the Arches project’s aspirations. Findings – The needs and challenges in the heritage field that the GCI and WMF originally identified have been confirmed through interactions between the Arches project and a range of practitioners. The suitability of Arches to address these needs is demonstrated through steady growth of the open source community and an increasing number of implementations of the Arches platform. Practical implications – Arches provides a purpose-built system that is freely available and ready for use. It offers a system that requires a marginal investment by organizations compared to building digital inventories from scratch. The Arches project has created an international community of information technology and heritage practitioners to share experience, knowledge, and skills to address their common challenges in dealing with digital inventories. Originality/value – The paper offers heritage practitioners details on a new tool for overcoming their challenges in building and managing digital heritage inventories.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-471
Author(s):  
Jorge Cruz-Cárdenas ◽  
Jorge Guadalupe-Lanas ◽  
Ekaterina Zabelina ◽  
Andrés Palacio-Fierro ◽  
Margarita Velín-Fárez ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand in-depth how consumers create value in their lives using WhatsApp, the leading mobile instant messaging (MIM) application. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts the perspective of customer-dominant logic (CDL) and uses a qualitative multimethod design involving 3 focus groups and 25 subsequent in-depth interviews. The research setting was Ecuador, a Latin American country. Findings Analysis and interpretation of the participants’ stories made it possible to identify and understand the creation of four types of value: maintaining and strengthening relationships; improving role performance; emotional support; and entertainment and fun. In addition, the present study proposes a conceptual model of consumer value creation as it applies to MIM. Practical implications Understanding the way consumers create value in their lives using MIM is important not only for organizations that offer MIM applications, but also for those companies that develop other applications for mobile phones or for those who wish to use MIM as an electronic word-of-mouth vehicle. Originality/value The current study is one of the first to address the topic of consumer behavior in the use of technologies from the perspective of CDL; this perspective enables an integrated qualitative vision of value creation in which the consumer is the protagonist.


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