Open Source is becoming an increasingly popular software development method for producing successful software like Linux Operating System, Apache Web Server, Perl. Open Source Software is licensed to guarantee free access to the precompiled binaries, so called the source code. This allows the user to install the software on a new platform without an additional purchase and to get support for a product whose creator no longer supports it. Those who are technically inclined can fix bugs themselves rather than waiting for someone else to do so.

A variety of licenses are used to ensure that the source code will remain available, wherever the code is actually used. Unlike freeware and public-domain software, Open Source Software is copyrighted and distributed with license terms designed to ensure that the source code will always be available. While a fee may be charged for the software's packaging, distribution, or support, the complete package needed to create files is included, not simply a portion needed to view files created elsewhere.

OSS4LIB (Open Source System for Libraries) at http://www.oss4lib.org, is the definitive information resource for Open Source Software in libraries. It also includes current news and a listing of known projects. In additon, Freshmeat at http://www.freshmeat.net and Sourceforge at http://www.sourceforge.net also provide information on Open Source Software developments. The list given below is not exhaustive and links are provided to some of the Open Source Software used for libraries.

Koha, Open Source Library System
http://www.koha.org/

Greenstone Digital Library Software
http://www.greenstone.org

Avanti, An open source library computing system
http://www.avantilibrarysystems.com/

MyLibrary
http://dewey.library.nd.edu/mylibrary/

iVia Open Source Virtual Library System
http://infomine.ucr.edu/iVia/ivia.php

PhpMyBibli
http://phpmybibli.sourceforge.net/

Ganesha Digital Library
http://gdl.itb.ac.id/

Research Guide
http://researchguide.sourceforge.net/

OpenOPAC
http://www.bl.fcen.uba.ar/openopac.php

Learning Access ILS
http://www.learningaccess.org/website/techdev/ils.php

Open Source Digital Library System
http://www.library.arizona.edu/users/jfrumkin/osdls /about.html

Virtual Library: Open Source Information Broker
http://vu.wu-wien.ac.at/virlib/

Jake, a metadata collective for ejournals
http://jake.med.yale.edu/

Suggested Readings

http://www.unesco.org/webworld/portal_freesoft/
http://144.16.72.189/opendl/free-software.htm
http://www.lita.org/litapubs/lg9.html
http://www.diglib.org/architectures/ossreppv.htm
http://opensource.nslsilus.org/content.html
http://www.dlib.org/dlib/january03/mitchell /01mitchell.html
http://www.infomotions.com/musings/sigir-99/index.shtml
http://www.biblio-tech.com/BTR900/October_2000 /freeware_library_system.html
http://www.biblio-tech.com/BTR900/November_2000 /koha.html
http://www.vuw.ac.nz/staff/brenda_chawner/biblio.html
http://www.library.arizona.edu/users/jfrumkin/osdls /links.html

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Information Today & Tomorrow, Vol. 21, No. 3 & 4, September & December 2002, p.14
http://itt.nissat.tripod.com/itt02034/ruoi02034.htm