CORAL: Implementing an Open-Source ERM System

Abstract

The presenters focused on the benefits and challenges of implementing an open-source electronic resource management (ERM) system called Centralized Online Resource Acquisitions and Licensing (CORAL) at their libraries. Originally developed by the University of Notre Dame's Hesburgh Libraries, CORAL offers libraries the option to reorganize ERM workflows and collect information about their electronic resources into one central place without having to commit funding for new software from the ever-shrinking library budget. CORAL currently includes four modules: Organizations, Resources, Licensing, and Usage Statistics. In addition to the challenges that are faced in any ERM system implementation, such as collecting and preparing data and training staff, issues specific to using an open-source application in an academic library were presented.

The context and state of open source software adoption in US academic libraries

“…Wang (2011) shares the difficulties of DSpace implementation in a small university law library, the necessity of a vendor to complete installation and customize features, and the ultimate cost savings from OSS adoption. This same trichotomy of features, implementation and organizational drivers applies to case studies for less-common library OSS, such as the electronic resources management (ERM) system (Taylor et al, 2010;Imre et al, 2013). These latter two studies also highlight typical and necessary integration issues of OSS ERMs with other mission-critical library software and services, including proprietary systems.…”

The Promise of the Future: A Review of the Serials Literature, 2012–13

“…21 Many libraries are on their second or third ERM with open source systems such as CORAL and Drupal being implemented in more libraries. 22 Libraries are also adapting free products, such as those from Google, in library workflows. 23 Lupton's description of York University's Managing University Library Electronic Resources (MULER) ERMs integration with the library's public interface demonstrates the flexibility allowed by locally developed systems.…”