Implementation of an open source library management system: Experiences with Koha 3.0 at the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the selection process and criteria that led to the implementation of the Koha 3.0 library management system (LMS) at the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Library and Information Service (CAMLIS), Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a report based on internal documentation.

Findings

Koha 3.0 was selected because the GNU licence (open source) was considered more future‐proof than proprietary products, and more open to customisation to meet the special needs of the library.

Research limitations/implications

The library is still in the early stages of the LMS implementation. How far the Koha LMS implementation has met the library's needs will only become clear after at least one year's use.

Practical implications

The conclusions drawn from this report relate to the concept of implementing an open source LMS. The author will report on the completed implementation in a year's time.

Originality/value

This is amongst the first implementations of Koha in the UK. Experience and conclusions from this installation might influence decisions at other libraries.

Citation

Bissels, G. (2008), "Implementation of an open source library management system: Experiences with Koha 3.0 at the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 42 No. 3, pp. 303-314. https://doi.org/10.1108/00330330810892703