Re: building the "next generation" library catalog

On Sep 1, 2006, "Birkin James Diana" wrote:
>
> I'm reminded though that too often in the realm of evaluating open-
> source software, decision-makers are presented with, or believe there
> are, two choices: using scarce in-house resources to implement an
> open-source solution, or going with a vendor to implement a
> proprietary solution.

Birkin,

I think you raise an excellent point. There is not necessarily a reason to
separate the two. People need to educate decision makers about these other
options - esp. as there are more and more of them including LibLime and
Indexdata. Open Source doesn't mean only community support anymore (if it
ever did). Personally, after reading stuff or hearing presentations (and
in once case talking to personally) leaders, of library automation
companies, I think you will see a shake up - including some of the vendors
jumping to a more open system (if not an open source system) and then
focusing on support - at least for the core ILS. There just is not enough
money to be made in developing the core ILS for the vendors to put a lot
of effort into it. However, if the systems were more open, they could make
money by selling support and premium products.

This weekend is a very important one for anyone that has hopes or an
interest in an open source ILS. The success or failure of Evergreen,
fairly  or not, is going to go a long way to having more Open Source
systems in the future, or for there to be a new barrier to others trying
it. I can just imagine an administrator somewhere saying to me "Georgia
tried it and they couldn't do it, so what makes you think you can?"

Knowing what my college and some others pay for commercial ILS contracts
(and what little support and development they actually get in return)
shows me that a very small group of libraries could pool there resources
to make a viable open source ILS and save money at the same time. This is
especially true now that we have functioning systems such as Koha and
Evergreen to use or, at least, base our systems on. With more and more
open source indexing and other tools available, it won't only get easier
to develop the next generation OPAC system. What we need is people willing
to take a risk like the folks in Georgia are doing now and the Horowhenua
Library Trust did in 2000. I think the building blocks are there and the
time is right. All it will take is some leadership in this area. I know
there are systems people in libraries who want to take the challenge and
all they need is to get the decision makers to help out. Once we get a
small but noticeable number doing it, more will jump on board. I have
confidence with this as I have seen it happen to a smaller scale with
using LTSP on public computers in New Jersey public libraries. Once two or
three started using it and library directors started to talk, more and
more went with this solution very quickly.

Godspeed Evergreen!

Edward