In 2009 five small libraries collaborated on an innovative ILS solution using KOHA Open source software. Five years later consortium members discuss the opportunities, challenges and solutions. A good news story that you can have all the benefits of a high-tech ILS system like integration of Overdrive Collections, mobile-friendly OPAC, automatic pre-due emails/texts, news on screen and checkout slips, database querying report builder, and professional support at an affordable price. 

Formed in 2008

6 libraries at the start - shopping for ILS

Consortium set up with assistance from SOLS

Intent to leverage grant funds and benefit from shared expertise and better buying power

Criteria – affordability and functionality

Preferred product was Koha

Fear of the unknown going to open source was overcome by confidence in the group

Concerns about hosting in USA led to selecting a local vendor and hosting in house

Times and options for hosting and support changed

Other support vendors offer Canadian hosting

The consortium libraries chose Equinox

Now our ILSs are hosted in Toronto

Still happy with Koha, and have excellent support

Examples – Firefox, Android, Linux, Open Office, Wordpress, MySQL, VLC Media Player

Advantages – No cost to use the software Anyone can modify and develop it Flexibility in support and hosting options Freedom to change vendors Worldwide community support Not tied to financial stability of one company

Not a pre packaged turnkey all in one solution

Still unfamiliar in library circles

Lack of confidence in distributed development

Nobody to blame if you don’t like it