Open Source Software Means More Computers for Library Customers

By Amy Begg De Groff



Consistently ranked among the top library systems in the country, Howard County Library offers award-winning children's classes and signature initiatives; a collection of 1 million items; cutting-edge technology; and nearly 300 computers.

These computers exclusively feature open source software, acquired at nearly no cost to taxpayers. The library uses a wide range of open source computer software in order to expand access to library collections and services, serve customers and contain hard costs for software licenses and computer hardware.



What is open source software?

Open source software, for the purposes of this article, refers to software designed and maintained by a community of users. Open source software must include free redistribution (no restrictions on selling or giving it away), source code and the ability to modify and derive works.

In addition, open source software must maintain the integrity of the author's source code (the license may restrict source code from being distributed in modified form only if the license allows the distribution of "patch files" with the source code for the purpose of modifying the program at build time); must not discriminate against persons, groups or fields of endeavor; must not be specific to a product or restrict other software; and must be technology neutral.

Howard County Library sees many parallels between the above criteria and its own professional mission and obligation to customers. It shares information, access and services freely. It does not seek to make a profit, but to expand educational opportunities for all. It does not discriminate in its services or facilities. And, finally, all its computer-related solutions are technology neutral - ensuring that its customers can make their own computing purchasing decisions and be assured of access to the library's web-based services.



What open source software does Howard County Library use?

Each of the library's 300 public computers features open source software, minus the license expense often incurred with comparable software packages. Some key examples are:

• OpenOffice.org: A software package with which customers can create, edit, save and print text documents, presentations or spreadsheets. OpenOffice.org allows for opening and saving in a variety of formats, including Microsoft Office, so the document created can be moved from machine to machine and system to system (e.g., Howard County Library to Howard County Public Schools) with ease.

• Firefox: A web browser used to view and print web pages.

• GAIM: An instant messaging application used for immediate chat with family, friends and/or colleagues.

• Ubuntu: A community-developed, Linux-based operating system that includes the web browser; presentation, document and spreadsheet software; and instant messaging applications mentioned above.



How does this benefit Howard County?

The benefit is significant. Howard County Library pays almost no software license fees. As a result, it has more money for other computer related services and offers more computers per capita than nearly any other library system in Maryland. These computers are in constant use; at any time the computer tables are operating at approximately 65% capacity.

The software, installed in September 2006, cost Howard County Library $25 systemwide - approximately .08 cents a computer. Where American public libraries spend, on average, nearly $34,000 a year on software licenses, Howard County Library will spend a total of $1,457 on a license for an enterprise e-mail, calendar, document and task collaboration system (called DeskNow).

The library also uses the skills of software consultants and programmers. Monies not spent on annual license fees are used to develop applications that meet the needs of Howard County residents. For example, two years ago, its "recently purchased" lists were generated by a licensed software application. Staff and customers had numerous ideas for improving this service, but the vendor was unable to make the changes. The library took the ideas and committed time and talent to building what was desired. As a result, its web site now offers customers a superior and more attractive set of lists of all recently purchased items. Because the software code for this functionality belongs to the library, changes can be made any time.



How does the approach Howard County Library has taken to customer computers differ from that of other libraries?

While many libraries nationwide are not adding computers to their fleet, Howard County Library plans to add 10 to 20 customer computers each quarter this year. It is able to do this at a cost of $250 a computer because it purchases second-hand machines. The library's desktop configuration requires limited memory and processor resources, in contrast to other commercially available operating systems.

Another difference is that the library continues to use the honor system for printing. Because its customers are honest and are willing to pay for the print jobs they generate, it does not have to purchase and configure a costly payment system and install payment machines.



What is next for Howard County Library in the area of open source software?

The library recently signed a support contract with a library automation vendor, LibLime, to support its migration off a propriety catalog to an open source alternative, called Koha. Koha is a library system built from the ground up as a web-based business application. This is in contrast with many other library systems which have been modified to meet some web standards. With the deployment of Koha, Howard County Library will continue to provide up-to-the-minute access to all library services.



Amy Begg De Groff is the head of library technology services for Howard County Library. She can be reached at amy.degroff@hclibrary.org or 410-313-7985.