Open Source Library Management and Digital library software.

Abstract

In this era of transition from information age to knowledge society, the libraries have much greater challenges to face. The whole perception of library has now changed from collection of books to a single window knowledge bank. This paper discusses the definition and features of open source library management software, criteria of selection of best open source library management software, their, advantages and limitations. Open source library management software is a solution to reducing that cost. The paper describes in brief about the feature of some of the open source library management software like Greenstone Digital Library, DSpace, Koha, E-Prints, NewGenlib. PhpMyLibrary, OpenBiblio, Avanti, etc., which are useful for developing digital library and institutional repositories. The paper also highlight the initiatives taken in India to make use of open source library management software for developing their digital libraries.