Dear N.S. Harinarayana, As I understand the following view needs to be revised. "* For a teacher like me, open source software is a boon. It is difficult for library schools to purchase commercial software. Even if they are purchased, their maintenance and updating would be difficult as they involve financial commitment from the schools. For this reason some library schools delayed the introduction of practical sessions on library automation systems in their syllabus During my recent talks with the Director at INFLIBNET, Dr Jagdish Arora, I have come to know that they are planning to help many LIS schools in the country to help them overcome their financial constraints in acquiring library software to teach to the students. I am sure such a step of INFLIBNET shall contribute to library software education, alleviate problems of many a LIS schools, and shall be instrumental in moving the libraries in the country a step forward. With best wishes. 2009/3/17 N.S. Harinarayana <ns.harinarayana@gmail.com>
I would like to dive into the discussion with my observations as a teacher and a professional assisting, in a small way, the librarians in my city in their automation projects:
* For a teacher like me, open source software is a boon. It is difficult for library schools to purchase commercial software. Even if they are purchased, their maintenance and updation would be difficult as they involve financial commitment from the schools. For this reason some library schools delayed the introduction of practical sessions on library automation systems in their syllabus. Experience show that commercial vendors were not very supportive for library schools in offering their software at nominal cost/free of cost. Though some software were available on demo version for library schools, their installation required some other supportive software (RDBMS) which were expensive. As a result library schools were not in favourable position to use those software too. With the emergence of open source software, library schools now have options to include the software training in their curriculum. They can also now stay updated by using the latest version of the integrated library system.
* As rightly pointed out by many, Indian libraries have the options for free software (software for a very nominal cost) since late eighties. For instance, CDS/ISIS has become quite popular among Indian libraries. CDS/ISIS has a success story among many Indian libraries. Its success is not just because it is freely available. There are many other factors for its success. The most important reason that I believe for its success is that as CDS/ISIS is developed by a reputed international organization and promoted by a well-known national organization, it has been accepted by professional fraternity with much confidence. I feel that any open software to succeed, there should be a strong and reliable support from a well-known institution.
It is not a bad idea to come out with a model where an institution of high stature in India officially adopts/promotes one or more open source software depending upon their merit.
* As days go by, I am sure there will be a number of options open for librarians even for choosing of open source software is concerned. Forums like this should be used to exchange not only the success stories but more importantly the failure stories as well. A more articulate professional may come out their results in the form of article(s) in professional journals/conferences. This helps the profession in general.
-- N.S. Harinarayana Department of Library and Information Science University of Mysore, Manasagangotri Mysore 570 006 Off. Ph: (0821) 2419393
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