uvm faculty dev_041812
DESCRIPTION
Explains the benefits and drawbacks of open source software. Explores various open source software used in libraries and the future of open library data.TRANSCRIPT
Open Source Solutions for LibrariesAmber Billey, MLIS
UVM Faculty DevelopmentApril 18, 2012
Open source software?
Free...as in kittens!
What is freedom?
“Free software” means software that respects users' freedom and community. Roughly, the users have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. With these freedoms, the users (both individually and collectively) control the program and what it does for them....Thus, “free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” not as in “free beer”.
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
What is open source really?Open-source software (OSS) is computer software that is available in source code form: the source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under an open-source license that permits users to study, change, improve and at times also to distribute the software. Open source software is very often developed in a public, collaborative manner. Open-source software is the most prominent example of open-source development and often compared to (technically defined) user-generated content or (legally defined) open content movements. - Wikipedia
What is open source really?1. Free redistribution
http://opensource.org/docs/osd
What is open source really?1. Free redistribution2. Source code
http://opensource.org/docs/osd
What is open source really?1. Free redistribution2. Source code3. Derived works
http://opensource.org/docs/osd
What is open source really?1. Free redistribution2. Source code3. Derived works4. Integrity of the author's source code
http://opensource.org/docs/osd
What is open source really?1. Free redistribution2. Source code3. Derived works4. Integrity of the author's source code5. No discrimination against persons or
groups
http://opensource.org/docs/osd
What is open source really?1. Free redistribution2. Source code3. Derived works4. Integrity of the author's source code5. No discrimination against persons or groups6. No discrimination against fields of
endeavor
http://opensource.org/docs/osd
What is open source really?1. Free redistribution2. Source code3. Derived works4. Integrity of the author's source code5. No discrimination against persons or groups6. No discrimination against fields of endeavor7. Distribution of license
http://opensource.org/docs/osd
What is open source really?1. Free redistribution2. Source code3. Derived works4. Integrity of the author's source code5. No discrimination against persons or groups6. No discrimination against fields of endeavor7. Distribution of license8. License must not be specific to a product
http://opensource.org/docs/osd
What is open source really?1. Free redistribution2. Source code3. Derived works4. Integrity of the author's source code5. No discrimination against persons or groups6. No discrimination against fields of endeavor7. Distribution of license8. License must not be specific to a product9. License must not restrict other software
http://opensource.org/docs/osd
What is open source really?1. Free redistribution2. Source code3. Derived works4. Integrity of the author's source code5. No discrimination against persons or groups6. No discrimination against fields of endeavor7. Distribution of license8. License must not be specific to a product9. License must not restrict other software
10. License must be technology-neutral
http://opensource.org/docs/osd
Why open source software?
Advantages
● Free● No vendor● Control code● Customize● Development● Redistribution● Community
Drawbacks ● Hidden costs● No vendor● Technical expertise● Technical support● Lack of community
What can open source software do for libraries?
Lots of stuff! ● Behind the scenes (web servers, indexing,
operating systems and databases)● Integrated Library Systems● Collection management ● Content management● Digital preservation● and more!
Open source behind the scenes
● Many libraries use open source software and don't even know it!○ Linux○ Apache Tomcat web server○ Apache Lucene index○ MySQL
Integrated Library Systems
● Maori for "gift"● LibLime● Koha Community● VOKAL
● GPLS ● PINES consortium● Many installations in
North America
Digital Preservation
● Library of Congress and NDIIPP ○ Ace (monitor file integrity)○ EMET (extract image metadata)○ INFORM (risk assessment of digital file formats)○ JHOVE2 (identify, validate & assess digital objects)○ Recollection (create & share embeddable
interfaces to digital cultural heritage collections)○ Library of Congress - Transfer Tools (validation &
transfer of data)● D-Space
○ digital asset management○ repository
Before adopting, ask...
● How robust is the open source project?● What is the support like?● Do you have the expertise and time on-staff
to make the software work for your library?● What are your time constraints?
Farkas, M. (2011). Open Source, Open Mind. American Libraries, 42(9/10), 36.
Let's talk about the "future"
● Beyond software○ Semantic Web ○ Linked Data
Bibliographic data Subject data
Names data
Semantic delivery tool● search engine● ILS● OPAC 3.0
RDF?OWL?SKOS?VIAF?
Why open source?
● Free from vendors● Free to develop ● Share code and
data● Contribute to a
community
Any questions?thank you!