Infopeople Webinar: Open Source Library System Software - Libraries Are Doing it For Themselves

This is the second webinar in a series. The first webinar in this series presented an introduction to and overview of Open in improving OSLS software – even if you're not a programmer or a "techie"!The second webianr focuses on Open Source Library Systems. 

One of the great advantages of an Open Source Library System (OSLS) such as Koha or Evergreen is the ability to empower staff and optimize the user's experience by getting involved in improving the software. This is in contrast to the traditional integrated library system (ILS) model where all the software development was done by "the vendor," creating a condition of "learned helplessness" on the part of library staff. By making the transition to OSLS, you can shift the culture of your organization from "learned helplessness" to one in which everyone can contribute to enhancing their work environment.

This webinar will describe all the ways to get involved with an OSLS project -- even if you aren't a programmer. By the end of the webinar, you will understand why involving your organization in an OSLS project creates opportunities for delivering new services to customers and optimizing the work of your staff.

During this presentation, participants will:

• Learn how to get involved, contribute, and affect which features get developed.
• Learn how to participate in the OSLS community even if you aren't a programmer.
• Learn what service providers are available in the areas of needs assessment, migration, support, hosting, training, and development.
• Learn about the role consortia can play in coordinating development projects, reducing support costs, and providing shared technical staff for individual libraries.
• Learn about "resource-sharing" where the resources are library people instead of library material.
• Hear about collaborative OSLS projects underway at the consortia and statewide level, all around the country.
• Hear about California's Open Source Library Consortium and the benefits of becoming a member.

This free webinar is the second in an Open Source Series sponsored by Infopeople, Califa, and the Open Source Library Consortium. The first two webinars will be presented by Lori Bowen Ayre and will focus on Open Source Library Systems (OSLS). Subsequent webinars will be delivered by other instructors and will cover Open Source applications including Drupal, Flickr, and Open Office.