Roy Tennant has posted an open letter that warns ILS vendors of the growing “threat” from open source options. For a long time, I think that the vendors thought it impossible for a company to build a new ILS from scratch and catch up. And with the consolidation that we’ve been seeing in the market, we’re getting closer and closer to having just a few products dominate the market.
Like other producers of proprietary software, ILS vendors are now very much aware of the open source threat. I believe that Evergreen and Koha are just the beginnings of a major migration for libraries away from costly, restrictive, and outdated systems. Here in Ohio, we have a few libraries already on Koha or will be soon. Companies like LibLime are there to provide support, if needed.
If you’re a library techie, make sure that you are investigating and suggesting open source options. That includes replacements for your ILS. If you’re a library director, make sure that you are listening to and considering those suggestions. Libraries owe it to their patrons to pursue the most cost effective and innovative solutions available.
