Another Reason why Open Source Software Rocks

This is what I love about open source, just how quick things can happen. The other day someone dropped a note to the Koha mail-list asking about a link to Amazon from Koha. I then mentioned a link to OpenWorldCat would be a nice option, if there were no results from a search. Just thinking aloud. Well, today both are available and a link to Project Gutenberg is next… How long has Jenny been trying to get the idea of RSS into the major vendors heads? And with Koha this enhancement has taken a few days.

Imagine what could be accomplished if the traditional library management system and catalog were this adaptable and we could all share our hard work.

It boggles the mind.

Perhaps the solution can be found through libraries building partnerships and collaborating on support of open source systems. Many libraries would certainly expand the breadth of expertise and spread out the load. Maybe building these relationships would allow more libraries to follow the open source path and push library technologies forward.

That’s a great idea. It strikes me (I know, I’m the last one) that libraries don’t just need to update their services, they need to expand their horizons. The public commons has been shrinking steadily for years. Libraries and parks are about the only places left where you can hang out without paying a fee or buying anything. (You can, of course, hangout in Starbucks or someplace similar without buying anything but that’s rude.) We’ve already expanded to offering access and help with technology, what’s next?