Koha is Open-Source ILS of Choice, A New Study Finds

The study--conducted by Outsell, Inc--surveyed hundreds of library decision-makers across the US and Europe. When current and potential users of open source were asked which ILS package they preferred, respondents selected Koha as their first choice across all segments by a hefty margin. Library segments included corporate, government, academic, K-12, public and nonprofit libraries.

Outsell’s study also found that over half of the nearly 300 respondents surveyed had either implemented an open source ILS or would consider a move to an open-source ILS. Interest was highest among public and academic libraries. Flexibility and adaptability of open source was the highest-rated reason for the implementation or considered implementation of an open-source ILS.

"The preference for Koha is not at all surprising," says Joshua Ferraro, CEO of LibLime. Ferraro has been an active member of the Koha project since 2001 when he oversaw implementation of Koha at the first library in the US to select an open-source ILS, the Athens County Library System in Ohio.

"One of the strengths of the open-source development model is that libraries have direct access to development resources through a process called Sponsored Development", Ferraro explains. "As a result, Koha's community, codebase and feature-set continue to evolve at an amazing pace."

As part of its support environment, LibLime maintains the LibLime Development Exchange, a database of features being sponsored by customers. This facilitates co-sponsorship and further collaboration between customers. There are currently over 200 active development projects, many of which are in the process of being completed and will be in the 3.2 Version of Koha, set for release later this year.

For more information or to purchase Outsell's report, visit:
http://www.outsellinc.com/store/products/793

About LibLime

LibLime is the global leader in open solutions for libraries. Rather than sell software licenses for static, hard-to-customize software products, LibLime educates libraries about the benefits of open source, enabling them to make choices about how best to provide their communities and staff with better technology services. LibLime then facilitates implementation of open-source in libraries by providing outstanding development, customization, support and training solutions--solutions tailored to each library's needs. For more information, see http://liblime.com.

Press Contact:

Tina Burger

Vice President, Marketing LibLime

(888)Koha ILS (564-2457)

tnb@liblime.com