Notice about open source ILS proposal for academic libraries

[Jim Duncan]

This came through another list to me. Thought those lurking from
academic environments would be interested in hearing about this
initiative out of Duke University. -Jim

-------- Original Message --------

Subject: Seeking response on Duke open source ILS proposal
[Note: To express interest, send a message to ope...@duke.edu]

The Duke University Libraries are preparing a proposal for the Mellon
Foundation to convene the academic library community to design an open
source Integrated Library System (ILS). We are not focused on
developing an actual system at this stage, but rather blue-skying on
the elements that academic libraries need in such a system and
creating a blueprint.

Right now, we are trying to spread the word about this project and
find out if others are interested in the idea.

We feel that software companies have not designed Integrated Library
Systems that meet the needs of academic libraries, and we don't think
those companies are likely to meet libraries' needs in the future by
making incremental changes to their products. Consequently, academic
libraries are devoting significant time and resources to try to
overcome the inadequacies of the expensive ILS products they have
purchased.
Frustrated with current systems, library users are abandoning the ILS
and thereby giving up access to the high quality scholarly resources
libraries make available.

Our project would define an ILS centered on meeting the needs of
modern academic libraries and their users in a way that is open,
flexible, and modifiable as needs change. The design document would
provide a template to inform open source ILS development efforts, to
guide future ILS implementations, and to influence current ILS vendor
products. Our goal is not to create an open-source replica of current
systems, but to rethink library workflows and the way we make library
resources available to our constitutiencies. We will build on the good
work and lessons learned in other open source ILS projects. This
grant would fund a series of planning meetings, with broad
participation in some of those meetings and a smaller, core group of
schools developing the actual design requirements document.

At this stage, we're seeking feedback on our ideas and finding out who
might be interested in participating, prior to our formal submission
of the proposal to the Mellon Foundation in early March. We would
greatly appreciate your responses to the following questions.

1) Does designing an open source ILS seem like something worth
exploring for academic libraries?

2) Given the information above about the proposed project, is your
institution interested in:

a. staying informed of our progress?

b. contributing time and effort to the planning process, even if
only through the first or second workshops?

c. possibly being one of the core schools that participates
throughout the full planning and writing process

3) If you have any initial feedback on our ideas, we would love to
hear it!

Thank you for your interest and considering this opportunity to work
with us on this project. If your answer is yes to number 2 above, we
will be contacting you to explore further participation.
**Please send your reply to ope...@duke.edu**

[Deb Bergeron]

Jim,

Did you see that the thread of this message continues on the Evergreen listserv open-ILS-general?

There's more comments and specific requirements sent in by folks.

I believe a spreadsheet is forthcoming capturing the information.

Deb

--

Deb Bergeron System Admin: User Support
CLIC Consortium
1619 Dayton Avenue, Suite 204A
Saint Paul, MN 55104
O:651.644.3878 C:651.487.7609 F:651.644.6258