Open source software has seen increasing adoption by public
libraries in recent years. While often referred to as “free,” open source
software is monetarily free only in the sense that to obtain a copy of
the code requires no exchange of funds. In the truer sense, “free”
refers to the user’s freedom to view and adapt the software, generally
with an agreement to then share improvements with the larger
community. Chelsea District Library initially considered both
proprietary and open source options for this project, as well as both
in-house and contract solutions. While the librarian hired as project
manager had extensive experience with Microsoft Access, the
licensing costs for the accompanying Microsoft SQL server allowing
multiple simultaneous users made that option prohibitive. An open
source database based on PHP and MySQL appeared to be a more
realistic option, with the drawback that no one on staff had the
requisite familiarity with these programming languages. The library
decided to solicit requests for proposals to get a better sense of its
options. Replies to the RFP highlighted the range of options: from a
$40,000 proposal that involved proprietary software and taking cards
offsite for more efficient scanning to a $1,500 proposal based on open
source software and leaving data entry and scanning purely up to the
library. The library selected the able services of a programmer who
worked at a nearby library and who recommended the purchase of a
server and quickly designed and built a PhP/MySQL database meeting
specifications. While open source was not the initial goal, that suchsoftware ended up forming the basis for the database contributed
greatly to the library’s ability to produce a high-functioning, easy-touse
database on a limited budget.
Open source software has seen increasing adoption by public
libraries in recent years. While often referred to as “free,” open source
software is monetarily free only in the sense that to obtain a copy of
the code requires no exchange of funds. In the truer sense, “free”
refers to the user’s freedom to view and adapt the software, generally
with an agreement to then share improvements with the larger
community. Chelsea District Library initially considered both
proprietary and open source options for this project, as well as both
in-house and contract solutions. While the librarian hired as project
manager had extensive experience with Microsoft Access, the
licensing costs for the accompanying Microsoft SQL server allowing
multiple simultaneous users made that option prohibitive. An open
source database based on PHP and MySQL appeared to be a more
realistic option, with the drawback that no one on staff had the
requisite familiarity with these programming languages. The library
decided to solicit requests for proposals to get a better sense of its
options. Replies to the RFP highlighted the range of options: from a
$40,000 proposal that involved proprietary software and taking cards
offsite for more efficient scanning to a $1,500 proposal based on open
source software and leaving data entry and scanning purely up to the
library. The library selected the able services of a programmer who
worked at a nearby library and who recommended the purchase of a
server and quickly designed and built a PhP/MySQL database meeting
specifications. While open source was not the initial goal, that suchsoftware ended up forming the basis for the database contributed
greatly to the library’s ability to produce a high-functioning, easy-touse
database on a limited budget.
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