Expectations versus experiences: librarians using open source integrated library systems
| Date | 30 September 2014 |
| Pages | 688-709 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-10-2012-0129 |
| Published date | 30 September 2014 |
| Author | Vandana Singh |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology |
Expectations versus experiences:
librarians using open source
integrated library systems
Vandana Singh
School of Information Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville,
Tennessee, USA
Abstract
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 specically on the technical support for open
source ILS and provides insight into the experiences of librarians.
Keywords Integrated library systems, Open source software, Evergreen, Koha, Technical support
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
In recent years, the open source software (OSS) development paradigm emerged to
provide alternatives to a multitude of proprietary resources. From its early days, OSS
generated a lot of interest and support within the library community because of its
strikingly similar foundational principle: taking collective action for the benet of the
community (Arkles, 2002). The success of OSS depends on community effort, echoing
the economics of libraries (Chudnov, 1999), and hence librarians have welcomed the OSS
philosophy. Integrated library systems (ILS) are an essential part of libraries and have
traditionally been provided to libraries by commercial vendors. In recent years,
however, multiple ILSs have been proposed by the OSS community. Industry leaders,
such as Marshall Breeding, have said that open source ILS Koha and Evergreen have
become mainstream (Breeding, 2012). As a result, OSS has become a very popular point
This research is funded by an Early Career Grant awarded to the author by Institute of Museum
and Library Services.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
EL
32,5
688
Received 1 October 2012
Accepted 2 January 2013
The Electronic Library
Vol. 32 No. 5, 2014
pp. 688-709
© Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/EL-10-2012-0129
of discussion in the library world (Breeding, 2007;Corrado, 2007;Wrosch, 2007).
Initiatives such as Open Source Systems for Libraries (OSS4Lib) are catering to the
needs of librarians by providing the latest information about products, bibliographies,
and other relevant resources for using open source solutions in libraries. The Online
Computer Library Center (OCLC) supports the development of OSS for libraries through
OCLC research (OCLC, 2012). The main reasons for the adoption of and interest in OSS
among librarians are the ability to eliminate their dependence on the proprietary service
vendors, gain more control over the ILS by customizing it to local requirements (Wrosch,
2007), reach lower costs and acquire the exibility of additional feature development
(Eby, 2007).
Both smaller libraries and big state-wide library systems are adopting OSS ILS. For
example, the Ohio State Library system has implemented Koha and the State Library of
Georgia has implemented PINES Evergreen for use in libraries ranging from large
central ones to small branch libraries. In this research study, the technical support for
open source ILS is explored and discussed.
2. Problem statement
Due to the wide conceptual appeal of OSS ILS, there is a need to understand the pros and
cons of the adoption of OSS systems in libraries. Along with the benets, there are a
number of potential disadvantages associated with adoption of OSS. Some of the
disadvantages associated with OSS have been poor usability, less user-friendly
interfaces and a lack of functionality, reliability, security and support (Cervone, 2003).
Breeding (2007) lists increased costs for purchasing local technical expertise and the
lack of guaranteed support or upgrades as the main disadvantages of the adoption of
OSS.
One frequent critique of OSS is the lack of technical support during its
implementation and the lack of ongoing maintenance of the software. This has been
demonstrated as one of the biggest hindrances in the adoption of open source products
by researchers and practitioners alike (Boss, 2005;Breeding, 2007;Buchanan and
Krasnoff, 2005;Cervone, 2003;Wrosch, 2007). Technical support issues appeared to be
a key challenge for librarians who want to adopt OSS or who just want to evaluate the
feasibility of OSS for their libraries. Therefore, this research study focuses on this
problem and will provide in-depth evidence and research-based guidelines and
conclusions about the technical support for open source ILS for libraries.
This study is divided into three phases focusing on the identication of expectations
and experiences of librarians regarding their ILS technical support, an evaluation of the
technical support for OSS, and, nally, recommendations for librarians based on the
research results. By the end of the three-year project, the aim is to provide adoption
guidelines for librarians who are interested in OSS for their libraries. This paper
specically focuses on the results of surveys from the rst phase carried out in the rst
year. The results of two surveys are presented: the rst survey was to identify the
expectations of librarians regarding their ILS technical support and the second was to
document the experiences of librarians with their ILS technical support. The results
from both surveys will be presented to develop an understanding of these expectations
and experiences. Then these results will be compared to identify any gaps in the
experiences and expectations.
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Open source
integrated
library systems
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