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  • LISWire: Koha is Open-Source ILS of Choice, A New Study Finds

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    March 26th, 2009LISWire aggregatorLISWire

    Columbus, OH--LibLime, the leader in open solutions for libraries,
    announced today the results of a study conducted in 2008, that finds
    Koha to be the open-source ILS of choice for respondents--across every
    library type. LibLime is the foremost provider of Koha automation
    solutions worldwide.

    The study--conducted by Outsell, Inc--surveyed hundreds of library
    decision-makers across the US and Europe. When current and potential
    users of open source were asked which ILS package they preferred,
    respondents selected Koha as their first choice across all segments by
    a hefty margin. Library segments included corporate, government,
    academic, K-12, public and nonprofit libraries.

    Outsell’s study also found that over half of the nearly 300
    respondents surveyed had either implemented an open source ILS or
    would consider a move to an open-source ILS. Interest was highest
    among public and academic libraries. Flexibility and adaptability of
    open source was the highest-rated reason for the implementation or
    considered implementation of an open-source ILS.

    "The preference for Koha is not at all surprising," says Joshua
    Ferraro, CEO of LibLime. Ferraro has been an active member of the Koha
    project since 2001 when he oversaw implementation of Koha at the first
    library in the US to select an open-source ILS, the Athens County
    Library System in Ohio.

    "One of the strenghts of the open-source development model is that
    libraries have direct access to development resources thorugh a
    process called Sponsored Development", Ferraro explains. "As a result,
    Koha's community, codebase and feature-set continue to evolve at an
    amazing pace."

    As part of its support environment, LibLime maintains the LibLime
    Development Exchange, a database of features being sponsored by
    customers. This facilitates co-sponsorship and further collaboration
    between customers. There are currently over 200 active development
    projects, many of which are in the process of being completed and will
    be in the 3.2 Version of Koha, set for release later this year.

    For more information or to purchase Outsell's report, visit:
    http://www.outsellinc.com/store/products/793

    About LibLime

    LibLime is the global leader in open solutions for libraries. Rather
    than sell software licenses for static, hard-to-customize software
    products, LibLime educates libraries about the benefits of open
    source, enabling them to make choices about how best to provide their
    communities and staff with better technology services. LibLime then
    facilitates implementation of open-source in libraries by providing
    outstanding development, customization, support and training
    solutions--solutions tailored to each library's needs. For more
    information, see http://liblime.com.

    Press Contacts

    Tina Burger
    Vice President, Marketing LibLime
    (888)Koha ILS (564-2457)
    tnb@liblime.com

    LibLime, ‡biblios and ‡biblios.net are either registered trademarks or
    trademarks of LibLime. Other company and product names may be
    trademarks of their respective owners.

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