KOHA – OPEN

SOURCE
Integrated
Library System
By Amzari Abu Bakar
Lecturer
Faculty of Information Management,
UiTM.
Presented on MSC Malaysia Open
Source Conference 2010
29th June 2010, Berjaya Time Square
 KOHA
KOHA is a full-featured open-source ILS.
Developed initially in New Zealand by
Katipo Communications Ltd and first
deployed in January of 2000 for
Horowhenua Library Trust, it is currently
maintained by a team of software providers
and library technology staff from around the
globe.
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... KOHA is a maori
word meaning GIFT
or DONATION - or
perhaps more
"giving your
specialty to the
collective event"
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The koru (Logo) is the
Māori name given to the
newborn, unfurling fern
and symbolizes new life,
growth, strength and
peace. Another common
"new life" symbol is an
egg.
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KOHA has enabled new
realities of open access,
affordability, and free
innovation for a diverse
community of hundreds of
academic, consortia,
public, special collection,
religious and school
libraries around the globe.
 KOHA ?

Full modules Integrated Library System

 KOHA ver. 2.2.9, released May 2007

 More than 250,000 lines code

 More than 50 different developers

from different countries.

 46+ translators

 Latest Stable Version Koha 3.0.6

 Beta version Koha 3.4

 Full Open Source ILS Solution

• OS: Linux – Redhat, SuSe, Debian, Ubuntu and

etc.
• Language: Perl
• Database: MySQL.
• Webserver: Apache
• Web Browser: Mozilla FIrefox
Library User Wishes

 Standards – MARC21,
ISO2709, z29.50, SIP 2 …
 More features – Web 2.0
features.
 Reliable and easy to use.
 Strong technical support
 Cost effective
KOHA vs Proprietary System
MODULE KOHA Proprietary

Cataloging Yes Yes

Circulation Yes Yes
Acquisition Yes Yes
Web OPAC Yes Yes
Serials Yes Yes
Biblio Format Yes Yes
Data Exchange Yes Yes
Standard Yes Yes
Cost FREE CHARGEABLE
 Why KOHA?
• Library Standards Compliant
– Designed to comply with library standards and
formats: MARC format (MAchine-Readable
Cataloging) [MARC21 & UNIMARC]. It is a format
standard for storage/exchange of bibliographic
records and related information in machine-readable
format built using library standards and protocols that
ensure interoperability to other systems and
technologies, while supporting existing works flows
and tools. (http://www.loc.gov/marc).
 Why KOHA?
• Library Standards Compliant
– ISO 2709 - Information and documentation - Format
for information exchange
http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm)
– Z39.50 information retrieval protocol. - is an Internet
communications protocol used in copy cataloging to
search and transfer MARC records between libraries
 Why KOHA?
• First FULLY Web-based Interface in the
World – able to do library operation
anywhere, no issues for library with
branches
– OPAC
– Librarian Interface
 KOHA - excellent features
Fully customize web interface – Integrate to
organization’s website (See AeU library website).

z39.50 enable copy cataloging – Speed up

cataloging process by 500% (Demonstration)

MARC21 and UNIMARC for professional catalogers.

Use as a document manager or digital library

(demonstration).

Manage online and off line resources with the same

tool.

RSS feed of new acquisitions.

 KOHA - excellent feature
E-mail patron's overdues and other notices. Version
3 offers SMS overdue and notifications!

Print your own barcodes/spines.

Serials management module.

Full catalogue, circulation and acquisitions system

for library stock management.

Automated Circulation System (Self Charge, Book

Drop, Security Gates – EM and RFID) integration via
SIP 2 protocol offered in version 3.
 KOHA - excellent feature
Web based OPAC

Simple, clear search interface for all users.

Version 3 offers more Web 2.0 features –

Integration with Amazon, Google services
(Example here).

More user participation – can post comments,

review and purchase suggestions. (Example
Here)

Enhanced Searching features – Weighted search,

Highlighted Search, Sort and Ranking display by
Relevancy, Popularity, and etc. (Example Here)
 KOHA – Harness the power of
Open Source
 KOHA is distributed under
the open-source General
Public License (GPL) - Free
Software Foundation, 1991.
 No restrictions on use, no
restrictions on how the
software is used and no
invoices for each user
license
 KOHA – Harness the power of
Open Source
• No vendor lock-in: libraries are
free to install and use.
• Libraries are free to develop in-
house expertise or to purchase
support or development
services from the best available
source.
• Community support – Koha
users are worldwide – you can
get response to any problem
over the web, check
http://www.koha-
community.org
 KOHA User around the globe

1000+(register) libraries worldwide

• Horowhenua Library Trust, NZ
• Nelsonville Public Library – Athens Country, OH
• Crawford County Federated Library System, 10 Libs
• Howard County, MD:
Service area population: 266300
4.7 m. circulation transactions in 2006
1 million volumes collection
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• Central Kansas Library System,
serving 31 libraries
• Santa CruzPublic Library:
9 branches,
2 million volume
• Near East University Library: 1.5 million vol.
• Delhi Public Library: 2.0 million volumes
 e.t.c......
 Koha Users - Local
Type of Description Version
Library
Academic Advance Medical and Dental Institute, USM 2.2.9 –
http://library.amdi.usm.edu.my migrating
to 3.0.6
Academic UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 2.2.9
Al-Madinah International University, SHAH ALAM
http://catalog.mediu.edu.my/cgi-bin/koha/opac-
main.pl
Academic ASIA e UNIVERSITY, K.L 2.2.9
http://library.aeu.edu.my
Implemented with RFID – Selfcharge, Book Drop and
Security Gates.
Academic UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA, SERDANG – 2.2.9
Faculty Resource Center
http://libsys.upm.edu.my
19 Resource Centres
 Koha Users - Local
Type of Description Version
Library
Academic - INSTITUT AL-QURAN, TRENGGANU 2.2.9
College http://iq-koha.dyndns.gov.my/

Academic - UNITY COLLEGE, P.J. 2.2.9

College (Intranet)

Public Kelantan State Public Library 2.2.9

http://koha.kelantan.edu.my
1 main library, 6 branches libraries, 5 mobile
libraries, 38 village libraries

Special MARDI, Serdang 2.2.9

http://202.190.32.100
Currently used in 10 station’s library nationwide
 Koha Users - Local
Type of Description Version
Library
Special Kadir, Andri and Associates (Law Firm) 2.2.9
(Intranet)

Special Zaid, Ibrahim and Co 2.2.9

(Intranet)
Special Urban Development Authority (UDA) 3.0.6
- On installation

Academic - Politeknik Seberang Perai 3.0.6

College http://opac.psp.edu.my/
School 88 Smart Schools nationwide (First Phase) 2.2.9
Academic Regional Libraries – School of Distance 2.2.9
Education, USM
15 branches nationwide
 Statistics - Summmary
• 8 installation on Academic Library with more than
41 branches.
• 1 installation on Public Library and 4 installation
on Special Library.
• 88 installation on school libraries.
• Total of more than 100 installation of Koha
version 2.2.9 and 2 installation on Koha version
3.0.6 covering 134 branches.
• All above implementation took place in just TWO
years.
 Future of Open Source ILS
• Wide opportunities - Estimated about 80%
of libraries still not using ILS.
– Majority of the libraries are from special libraries
(private and govt organization), school libraries
(10,000 schools), rural and village libraries
(1000+), private colleges (300+) is still not
having library system.
• UiTM has started training its students in
using several library systems including
KOHA.
 Myth
• KOHA is a sub standard library system.
• KOHA is suitable only for small library.
• KOHA is too comprehensive for my small
library.
• KOHA can not support large academic
library.
 Issues and Challenges
• Fund – library could not afford to buy
ILS/pay for technical assistant.
• Dispute in Koha Commmunity – US vs New
Zealand.
• Knowledge and Expertise – Continuity of
support, education and trainings.
• Most of the library is too small to develop
own expertise or to pay for external support.
 Recommendation
• Knowledge and Expertise – Establish training
Centre and utilize KOHA in formal library
education. E.g: Asia e University, AMDI - USM,
Faculty of Information Management, Universiti
Teknologi MARA.
• Establish Malaysia KOHA User Group –
targeted to support development of KOHA in
Malaysia and upholding the interest of KOHA
user.
• Gain government attention and financial support
through National Librarian Association and various
librarian organization.
 Recommendation (cont.)
• Formation of consortium - Various type of
libraries such as Special Library, School Library
could form consortium to demands better library
development. In this case, funding for centralized
library system. Consortium could lead greater
purchasing power and lower implementation cost.
• KOHA + Virtualization  Low Cost System
hosting for hundreds or thousands of libraries.
• Involvements at International level – Global
Koha Community.
 Conclusion
 KOHA is a powerful, standard Integrated
Library System.
 Malaysian experience in KOHA relatively
new – Needs support and fund to grow.
 KOHA has high potential in Malaysia
market.
 Establishment of Malaysia Koha User
Group.
Q&A
Thank You