[K12OSN] RE: Open Source Library Automation
Nathan Shaffer
nathan at grandvache.com
Wed Feb 23 17:05:10 UTC 2005
We're using OpenBiblio in a private k-8 environment that I modified for
their needs. The greatest mod help was the z39.50 lookup of ISBN, ISSN
and LCCN through the Library of Congress for Marc Records. Since
switching over from Chancellery software, (the old system was a mess)
we went back and re-entered all the MARC records through this method.
You also have the ability to import the MARC record from a file.
It's web-based, which means that anyone can access the OPAC (even from
the LTSP labs). It uses mysql for the database structure (stable and
portable). It's written in PHP. Out of the box - very easy to set up,
but you'll need to modify the reports and install YAZ and the "lookup"
functions for greater usefulness. The Openbiblio community (on
Sourceforge) was very helpful in any questions I had.
Library teacher and assistants find it's ease of use wonderful,
Classroom teachers can have their class access the OPAC from the
classroom to look up available books for reports, research, etc. and
also print reports for their class on overdue books. You can even set
it up to email patrons with overdue notices.
Koha was great, but overkill for our needs. I test loaded
PhpMyLibrary, but the task of customizing it for the school's needs
seemed a bit much. I could never get Emilda to boot up (quite a bit of
install work there with Zebra and stuff). OpenBiblio was easy
installing into a Linux server ( I used RH 9.0 - Yaz had a problem with
FC2 and PHP4.3.8 bundled) and I spend about 2 weeks modifying
everything.
Since I've been on vacation for the past 2 weeks, I haven't had much
time to create much of a "library" website and modify the OPAC (it did
take a few weeks to reindex the whole library). If you can export your
MARC records from your old system (and your confidence is good that the
records are correct), it should be quick to get OpenBiblio up and
running.
Here's the URL to our School and you can check out the OPAC - click on
SJA library access, then Home Access:
http://sja.pvt.k12.or.us
Here's a new modified OPAC that I'm testing on another server that
allows for more options in the search function:
http://sja.pvt.k12.or.us:58058/opac/index.php
If you have anymore questions about it, don't hesitate to ask.
Nathan
nathan at grandvache.com
tech at sja.pvt.k12.or.us
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