On 01/02/2011 17:33, PHILLIPS M.E. wrote:
> If you are currently considering an open source software solution for
> your library, what kind of product are you looking at? A full LMS, or a
> smaller component like an OpenURL resolver, a room bookings system, or
> something else?
>
> And would you be looking at an open source solution for your
> next-generation search interface, or is the lure of the "big index"
> going to mean you're bound to go with the likes of Summon, EBSCO, Primo
> Central or similar?
I think there is a good chance we will end up with Summon/EDS/Primo in
the next couple of years. Each product differs, and I don't think all
can fully act as a replacement catalogue (My Account, reservations,
fines and ILR is a different issue).
We also currently have Aquabrowser and would imagine this is reviewed at
the same time (it too can not do the 'catalogue' things above). At the
moment we rely on Talis Prism 2 for our catalogue. which is 'not that good'
So depending on the product, and its ability to cater for all the
'traditional catalogue' functionality, I could see ourselves looking at
VuFind to fill the gap. (I note with interest, if I understand rightly,
Royal Holloway using VuFind as a front end to Summon for this very reason).
Open Source LMS interest me a lot, though we have no plans to review our
currently system in the next three years (after that???). They have a
key selling point to me. All commercial LMS (or at least the ones I have
some knowledge on) are not moving fast enough in providing the APIs and
connections needed to provide the integrated experience with both campus
services (portals) and national services that users expect. APIs that do
exist often are bespoke to the product and come at a cost. I think
Koha/Evergreen can really over come these hurdles by being Open out of
the box and seem to have treated common standards as a priority not a
bolt-on.
Eprints, I think, is a good Open Source success story, it has innovated
and continued to develop over the last ten years.
Finally I'm planning to look at OJS (Open Journal System) in more detail
in the near future. I wonder if this is an area that Libraries
increasingly move in to?
Chris
--
Chris Keene
Technical Development Manager
University of Sussex Library
Library: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/library/
Contact: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/profiles/150000
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