Why KoHA and why open source.

“When it comes to ILS systems, I think our library team has explored every possible option available in the current environment,” says Roupchan Hardowar, Dibner Library’s IT specialist.   "After extensive research, we have all concluded that Koha fits the library’s current objectives. We need a library system capable of adapting and quickly incorporating new or enhanced features from a variety of sources, including our own."

The Dibner Library staff looks forward to joining the open -source community because it embraces innovation and collaboration as a norm. They feel that the ability to have access to the “source” is long overdue. This is something proprietary systems do not offer.  Implementing Koha will offer their library an exciting new option –they can now contribute to the development of new applications should they choose to do so.

According to Jana Richman, director of library services, the Open Source concept fits their library’s mission and strategy.  They not only want the KOHA system to satisfy the traditional role of resource/ knowledge management but also to allow them to partner with others, including LibLime, in developing new features.

[tina added break] Additionally there is the potential for the system to become a laboratory for their students.  They realize that using the library catalog as a laboratory is a somewhat novel concept but the Bern Dibner Library is in a unique position.  Poly’s Computer Science and Computer Engineering departments are located in the same building as their library and want to collaborate with them. 

[tina added break] Says Richman: “Currently we employ about 30 students (undergraduate and graduate), many majoring in computer science or computer engineering.  For the past ten years students such as these have learned with us on the job and have essentially run all of our library’s information technology. They are eager to experiment and participate in developing real life solutions.”

One of the distinct elements of Polytechnic’s curriculum is emphasis on student innovation.  They want to provide the environment needed for the “Aha!” moment. There are so many important issues to be resolved in this new digital environment. “Simply put, Koha and LibLime are a good match for us,” says Richman.