An introduction to the open source software issueScott P. Muir
2005 Library Hi Tech
doi: 10.1108/07378830510700678
Purpose – To introduce the Library Hi Tech theme issue on open source software. Design/methodology/approach – At the Hackfest before Access 2004 (a Canadian library technology conference) several people started to code open source software (OSS) solutions. Findings – Some groups estimated they were close to 25 percent done – in just a few days, while attending Access Conference sessions all day. Originality/value – Developments in the OSS library community should encourage you to experiment with these applications, or maybe even develop your own.
Experiments in academic social book marking with UnalogDaniel Chudnov; Jeffrey Barnett; Raman Prasad; Matthew Wilcox
2005 Library Hi Tech
doi: 10.1108/07378830510636274
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Unalog software system, a free and open source toolkit for social book marking in academic environments. Design/methodology/approach – The history, objectives, features, and technical design of Unalog is presented, along with a discussion of planned enhancements. Findings – The Unalog system has been very useful for information sharing among members of the digital library community and a group of beta testers at Yale University, leading its developers to plan several new features and to capitalize on opportunities for integration with other campus systems. Originality/value – This paper describes a freely available toolkit, which can be used to provide new services through libraries to academic communities, and how those new services might be enhanced by merging the potential they offer for easier information sharing with long‐standing practices of librarianship.
Archimède: a Canadian solution for institutional repositoryRida Benjelloun
2005 Library Hi Tech
doi: 10.1108/07378830510636283
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the main features of Archimède, which is the institutional repository system developed by Université Laval to address its specific needs. Design/methodology/approach – These needs include the availability of a multilingual interface, the possibility to simultaneously index metadata and full text, and the compatibility with multiple technological infrastructures. The privileged approach relied on open source softwares and the use of automatic code generation tools in order to lower development costs and time. This led Université Laval's team to the creation of an institutional repository system that is based on Java technology and which is not OS‐specific. Findings – The system offers: documents management functionalities; dissemination mechanisms compatible with OAI‐PMH2 (Open Archive Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting V.2.0); an indexing and searching framework (LIUS) that can index over ten documents formats; and a selective dissemination of information service. Archimède and LIUS are now distributed under a GPL licence. Further developments will extend the metadata formats range supported by Archimède and will include archive management functionalities. Originality/value – This experience shows that the development of an institutional repository system resting on open source softwares, frameworks and application program interfaces could lead to impressive results, in a short amount of time and with a minimum of investment.
dbWiz: open source federated searching for academic librariesCalvin Mah; Kevin Stranack
2005 Library Hi Tech
doi: 10.1108/07378830510636292
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the experiences of developing an open source federated searching tool. It is hoped that it will generate interest not only in dbWiz, but in the many other open source projects either completed or in development at the Simon Fraser University Library and at other libraries around the world. Design/methodology/approach – The methods used in this paper include reviewing of related literature, analysis of other federated search tools, and the observation and description of the development process at the Simon Fraser University Library. Findings – The paper discusses the benefits and challenges faced in developing an open source federated searching tool for libraries. As a case study, it demonstrates the strength of the collaborative, open source development model. The paper also describes the key features required of any federated searching tool. Originality/value – Federated searching is becoming an important new product for both academic and public libraries, with several commercial products to choose from. This paper describes the development of an open source federated search tool that provides a low‐cost, yet highly functional alternative for the wider library community.
Open Journal Systems An example of open source software for journal management and publishingJohn Willinsky
2005 Library Hi Tech
doi: 10.1108/07378830510636300
Purpose – To provide an insider's review of the journal management and publishing software, Open Journal Systems (OJS), from the Public Knowledge Project, which the author directs at the University of British Columbia. Design/methodology/approach – The paper outlines the history, development, and features of OJS, including some of the experimental aspects, as well as early research results and work underway, on which it is based. Findings – OJS (http://pkp.sfu.ca/ojs) is an open source solution to managing and publishing scholarly journals online, which can reduce publishing costs compared to print and other traditional publishing processes. It is a highly flexible editor‐operated journal management and publishing system that can be downloaded for free and installed on a local web server. Originality/value – OJS has been designed to reduce the time and energy devoted to the clerical and managerial tasks associated with editing a journal, while improving the record keeping and efficiency of editorial processes. It seeks to improve the scholarly and public quality of journal publishing through a number of innovations, from making journal policies more transparent to improving indexing.
Using open source to provide remote patron authenticationJackie Wrosch
2005 Library Hi Tech
doi: 10.1108/07378830510636319
Purpose – To develop an open‐source remote patron authentication system to replace a problematic, proprietary vendor product. Design/methodology/approach – Functional requirements were developed using the vendor product as a model with additional requirements determined by the libraries planning to use the application. Using PHP on Apache web server with a connection to our ILS database on Sybase, a flexible system that can be configured to the local libraries requirements was created. Findings – Overall, the new system has been welcomed and the most widespread problems we encountered have been resolved. Most importantly though, using an in‐house system empowers libraries to introduce enhancements and bug fixes as soon as possible and not rely on a vendor's schedule for doing so. Research limitations/implications – A project like this would not be possible if the ILS database was proprietary and inaccessible from other, open‐source technologies like PHP or the data structures were not published. Practical implications – The remote patron authentication system is only one possible use of these technologies. Other applications using ILS data could be developed. Originality/value – Using PHP with Apache and a connection to the ILS database, the necessary functionality was retained and added other features that improved reliability, configurability and cross‐browser usage. By embracing this approach, the authors also retained control on its future development and improvement.
Creating and managing XML with open source softwareEric Lease Morgan
2005 Library Hi Tech
doi: 10.1108/07378830510636328
Purpose – To review a number of open source XML applications and systems including editors, validators, native XML databases, and publishing systems; to describe how some of these tools have been combined by the author to create a specific system, for a specific need. Design/methodology/approach – An overview of XML is provided, a number of open source XML applications/systems are reviewed, and a system created by the author using some of these tools is described. Findings – The open source tools for working with XML are maturing, and they provide the means for the library profession to easily publish library content on the internet, using open standards. Originality/value – XML provides an agreed upon way of turning data into information. The result is non‐proprietary and application independent. Open source software operates under similar principles. An understanding and combination of these technologies can assist the library profession in meeting its goals in this era of globally networked computers and changing user expectations.
Creating digital library collections with GreenstoneIan H. Witten; David Bainbridge
2005 Library Hi Tech
doi: 10.1108/07378830510636337
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce Greenstone and explain how librarians use it to create and customize digital library collections. Design/methodology/approach – Through an end‐user interface, users may add documents and metadata to collections, create new collections whose structure mirrors existing ones, and build collections and put them in place for users to view. Findings – First‐time users can easily and quickly create their own digital library collections. More advanced users can design and customize new collection structures Originality/value – The Greenstone digital library software is a comprehensive system for building and distributing digital library collections. It provides a way of organizing information based on metadata and publishing it on the Internet or on removable media such as CD‐ROM/DVD.
Taking pro‐action A survey of potential users before the availability of wireless access and the implementation of a wireless notebook computer lending program in an academic libraryHugh A. Holden; Margaret Deng
2005 Library Hi Tech
doi: 10.1108/07378830510636346
Purpose – The purpose of the article is to gauge reaction to the implementation of a wireless laptop lending program in a university library before it actually became operational and wireless access itself became available. Design/methodology/approach – This online survey consisted of 22 multiple choice questions that all Monmouth University students and employees were invited by e‐mail to answer. Findings – The vast majority of responses came from students, and most of them were ready for wireless access in the library and across campus. Several re‐emphasized in text their desire to log‐on to the network with their own laptops. Research limitations/implications – The survey ran for only two weeks, and yet, because tabulation was done by hand, a response rate ten times greater would have made our method impracticable. Practical implications – This kind of survey is comparatively easy and fast to implement. It lends itself to follow‐up surveys to measure the success of a wireless computer program or other technological development, including the possible effects on user attitude. Originality/value – This study was original in that it took place just before a wireless laptop‐lending program was activated. Tightly focused online surveys with a limited number of questions can help librarians anticipate issues not considered or sufficiently emphasized earlier, or quickly assess the impact wireless access is having.
A statewide metasearch service using OAI‐PMH and Z39.50Joanne Kaczmarek; Chew Chiat Naun
2005 Library Hi Tech
doi: 10.1108/07378830510636355
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the Illinois LSTA grant‐funded project, “Yellow Brick Roads: Building a Digital Shortcut to Statewide Information”. The project investigated the feasibility of unified searching across library holdings, digitization projects, and online state government information through use of the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI‐PMH) in tandem with the Z39.50 protocol through application of the Z39.50/OAI Gateway Profile. Design/methodology/approach – The project proceeded through the construction of a metasearch service model based on the Z39.50/OAI Gateway Profile. Technical obstacles encountered during the construction of this demonstration service were noted, as were potential solutions. The evaluation of the Z39.50/OAI harvesting component of the Gateway Profile was conducted by means of a questionnaire of vendors providing Z39.50 servers to the Illinois Regional Library Systems. Findings – The established technology platform provided by the University of Illinois Open Archives Initiative (OAI) Metadata Harvesting Project proved to be adequate to data sets of this size and character. However, the project concluded that the Z39.50/OAI Gateway Profile could not be deployed because of limitations in the functionality of typical Z‐servers. Research limitations/implications – The project concentrated on the technical aspects of building such a service model rather than on the usability of the interface or on questions of interoperability at the metadata level, such as to what extent the vocabularies used by the different metadata communities was compatible. Originality/value – The project's findings indicate that more labor intensive, or less timely, processes of aggregating records than that envisaged by the Z39.50/OAI approach will continue to be necessary. However, further investigation of hybrid approaches hold promise.