3. Randy Metcalfe
• eIFL‐FOSS Program Manager
• eIFL.net (Electronic Information For Libraries)
• Working with national library consortia in 48+
developing and transition countries
• eIFL.net programs: IP, OA, FOSS, Negotiations,
Consortium Building, Knowledge Sharing
http://www.eifl.net/
4.
5. FOSS
Free and Open Source Software (FOSS):
• Freedom to run the program for any purpose
• Freedom to study how the program works and adapt it
to your needs
• Freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your
neighbour
• Freedom to improve the program and release your
improvements to the public so that the whole
community benefits
8. The significance of FOSS
• Access to the source code enables us to learn from
the work of others
• Freedom to modify the code enables us to build on
the work of others
• Freedom to distribute our modified code allows the
process of learning and growth to be iterative
• Natural tendency toward communal development to
leverage efficiency from shared goals
9.
10. FOSS in Libraries
• Web servers (Apache)
• Databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL)
• Operating system (Linux)
• Web browser (Firefox)
• Content management system (Drupal, Plone)
• Learning management system (Moodle, Sakai)
15. Attraction of a FOSS ILS
• Cost
• No licence fee
• Communal and/or commercial support
• Vibrant user community of librarians helping each
other
• Commercial support for migration and maintenance, if
required
• Localization (i.e. language of interface)
• Adaptability
16. Challenge of a FOSS ILS
• Cost
• Real costs (e.g. staff, hardware) do not change
• May require greater staff commitment (depending on
level of engagement)
• Communal support may require new skills
• Commercial support limited?
• Adaptability: “We are librarians, not software
developers!”
• Change costs
27. Project learning points
• Learning how to ask for help on the email lists
• Cultural barriers
• Linguistic barriers
• Technical limitations
• Some skills and tools use in the FOSS community are
taken for granted
• Easier to gain new skills as part of a team
• Contributing code developments can be even harder
than learning how to ask for help
• Time is a finite resource
32. Further information
• eIFL.net http://www.eifl.net/
• eIFL‐FOSS http://www.eifl.net/cps/sections/services/eifl‐foss
• Blog http://www.eifl.net/cps/sections/services/eifl‐foss/foss‐blog
• Email list http://www.eifl.net:8080/mailman/listinfo/eiflfoss
• Email: randy.metcalfe[@]eifl.net
Photo credits: all photos by Randy Metcalfe, used with permission.