LIS community's perceptions towards open source software adoption in libraries

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate LIS Community's perceptions towards Open Source Software (OSS) adoption in libraries. The study adopted quantitative research design and a Likert type scale of 20 items was designed to collect data. Attention was given to three variables e organization type (public/private sector), library type (academic/ public/special), and country type (developed/developing). A total of 370 responses were received from 48 countries. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-Test, and ANOVA. The overall results suggested that respondents had positive perceptions towards OSS. However the results of t-Test and ANOVA indicated that organization type or library type were insignificant factors but country type was a significant factor as respondents from developed countries has significant difference of perceptions in comparison with the respondents from developing countries.This study is first of its kind in the world. The findings are useful for LIS community, library system developers, software developers, technology administrators, and library administrators. ª

Open Source Software solutions in Indian libraries

“…Similar indications in the ILMS sector are evident and studies indicate strong positive perception and inclination toward adoption of OSS (Rafiq, 2009). The study of Kiriyanant (2012) …”

“…Poulter (2010) observed that OSS aids libraries and had great potential but was hobbled by its intrinsically technical appeal. An international study on perceptions on adoption of OSS in libraries indicated a very positive response and further found that developing countries indicated higher interests in OSS solutions when compared to developed countries (Rafiq, 2009).…”

Open source, open minds?

“…Chudnov, 1999, Jaffe and Careaga, 2007, Rhyno, 2008Krishnamurthy, 2008 ;Rafiq, 2009), and writers such as Bissels, (2008), Caldwell (2007), Chad (2007) (Jaffe & Careaga, 2007). Hoy and Koopman (2008) argued that, due to the risk averse nature of libraries, many only consider OSS for non-critical services, and that the parent institution's information technology infrastructure may dictate what library software can be used, with the academic environment being notoriously conservative in this respect.…”

“…The synergy between the open source movement and libraries is a recurring theme in the literature (Chudnov, 1999;Jaffe and Careaga, 2007;Rhyno, 2008;Krishnamurthy, 2008;Rafiq, 2009), and writers such as Bissels (2008), Caldwell (2007), Chad (2007) and Tedd (2007) agree that open source LMSs are now a viable solution. Despite this, evidence suggests libraries have been slow to adopt OSS (open source software), particularly in the UK.…”

“…Synergy OSS/libraries Chudnov (1999), Caldwell (2007), Chad (2007), Jaffe and Careaga (2007), Tedd (2007), Bissels (2008), Krishnamurthy (2008), Rhyno (2008), Rafiq (2009) Procurement process barriers Chad (2007), Jaffe and Careaga (2007), Adamson et al (2008), Breeding (2008a), Pace (2009) Commercial support issues Breeding (2002), Adamson et al (2008), Breeding (2008), Hopkinson (2009) Coding and documentation Abram (2009), Hopkinson (2009), Schneider (2009) Interoperability Breeding (2007), Kinner and Rigda (2009), Ruschoff (2008), Pace (2009), Hughes (2010) Methodology A quantitative online questionnaire and qualitative interviews were used to gain an understanding of attitudes towards open source LMSs in UK higher education libraries and to establish why the sector has been slow to adopt this emerging technology. The choice of questionnaire and interview was deliberate to ensure the richness and completeness of the data.…”