From a small library’s perspective
− New Library Technology Paradigms: OS vs. Black Box vs. Hybrids
Bohyun Kim, Digital Access Librarian, Florida International University Medical Libraryhttp://www.slideshare.net/bohyunkimhttp://twitter.com/bohyunkimAmerican Library Association Annual Conference.Anaheim, CA. June 24, 2012.
At a Small Library,
Open Source Software
Blackbox
Huh?
Open Source Offers “Freedom”
Freedom from _____?Freedom to do _____?
Reality
Small staff with limited knowledge
Can afford only the minimum support and maintenance of whatever system implemented and used.
No inside R&D
Outside vendor support is important because inside support is limited.
Working with the IT outside the library….
Take it or Leave it …
Software in Use
Cascade Server (CMS)
SharePoint (Intranet)
SharePoint LMS
Tegrity (Lecture recording)
IE
LiveMeeting
Hard to serve existing library services
&Hard to try new things
Things we do not like to hear :
That feature is not available in this system.
Or a low priority to add.
Or the vendor will work on adding that feature.
Wait for the next release.
Or you need to buy an upgraded version.
Or customization costs.
Or you just can’t do it.
Remember FireFox?Now you don’t have to
use IE.
Can I fix or change it?
Reason for OSS
Required feature set may be better supported.
Fast updates and bug fixes possible
Likely to be easier for troubleshooting
Some vendors are costly, incompetent, poorly qualified.
Room for customization even if you are not a big/rich institution
Development led by a community’s inputs and needs such as more use of standards
Big Libraries vs. Small Libraries
Photo from Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackeycove/3996433617/in/photostream/
Possibility ?
Feasibility?
Sustainability?
OSS is Commitment to Innovation
and Investment in the future of the library
If want to go fast, you go alone;If you want to go far,you go together.
-An African Proverb
How can we travel together
to go farther?
How can we forman inclusive community
where all can contribute?
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