The morning session of Next Generation: Mashed-up, Fried or Half-Baked?, a symposium sponsored by BCR and Idaho Commission for Libraries in Boise, Idaho, provided an overview of open-source software. Marshall Breeding, Director for Innovative Technologies and Research, Jean and Alexander Heard Library at Vanderbilt University, provided the 20,000 foot view. From his perspective, there is no one right answer – open source vs. traditional vendor model. Rather the future most likely holds a balance of the two – as there are many types of libraries and needs with no one size fits all answer. Open source provides impetus for change within the industry, as well as more options for libraries. For instance, while open source provides the user access to the source code, some vendors are providing API to their users which allows libraries access and manipulate their data outside of the software.

Karen Schneider, Community Librarian, Equinox, provided an open source software perspective. Her key points focused on selection of open source software – while it is free, it does require attention. Positives include network effect, the more people using the service, the better the service becomes; application development is many times much quicker; the risk of vendor lock in or abandonment is mitigated; and it customizable for local needs. Be sure to consider the cost versus the benefit, and interoperability.

Explore open source software:
Evergreen
Libaryfind
Scriblio
Blacklight