To read this content please select one of the options below:

Open source solutions for libraries: ABCD vs Koha

Bojan Macan (Library, Ruder Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia)
Gladys Vanesa Fernández (Biblioteca, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero (INIDEP), Mar del Plata, Argentina, and Departamento de Documentación, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina)
Jadranka Stojanovski (Library, Ruder Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia, and Department of Information Science, University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia)

Program: electronic library and information systems

ISSN: 0033-0337

Article publication date: 19 April 2013

3260

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present an overview of the two open source (OS) integrated library systems (ILS) – Koha and ABCD (ISIS family), to compare their “next‐generation library catalog” functionalities, and to give comparison of other important features available through ILS modules.

Design/methodology/approach

Two open source ILSs, Koha and ABCD, were compared in‐depth according to their functionalities and characteristics. A checklist was created for each module: acquisition, cataloging, serials, patron management and circulation, reports and statistics, and administration. For an online catalog module, a separate checklist with “new generation catalog” characteristics was created. The authors also defined an additional set of criteria which could influence the decision process and selection of appropriate ILS like funding, metadata schema, preferred ILS functionalities, provided support, and the role of the IT department, and computer and network infrastructure in the library.

Findings

Evaluation of ILSs reveals that Koha has more functionalities than ABCD, especially those connected with the “next generation library catalog”. If a library is using UNIMARC or MARC21 format for bibliographic description and has a good IT support, Koha is an open source ILS with a wide community which has to be considered for implementation. ABCD has great metasearch possibilities and is worth considering by libraries using other or no metadata schemas or without IT support.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to two research libraries and their praxis and experiences. Further analysis can include other open source ILSs.

Practical implications

This study can help libraries preparing to migrate to open source ILS to choose an appropriate one.

Originality/value

This is the first comprehensive study conducted on Koha and ABCD comparing all modules in detail.

Keywords

Citation

Macan, B., Vanesa Fernández, G. and Stojanovski, J. (2013), "Open source solutions for libraries: ABCD vs Koha", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 47 No. 2, pp. 136-154. https://doi.org/10.1108/00330331311313726

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles