Integrated Library Systems (ILS) |
ILS may be one of the potentially messiest of topics for library majors. These are the programs that run a library’s circulation, OPAC, patron records, and much more. ILS that are not open source can be very expensive to purchase and to maintain via technical support, and for that reason, many libraries share the costs of ILS through the consortium that they belong to.
There are two main types of systems: open source and proprietary. Open source systems, such as Koha, are free systems that may be altered and changed by anyone. Proprietary systems created by companies such as Sirsi Dynix, are priced packages that may not be changed, but the companies also offer valuable IT packages should the library require assistance in using the product. |
KohaKoha is an open source ILS created by Liblime. Their Web site can be viewed here:
http://www.koha.org/ |
OCLCOCLC is a proprietary company which sells the popular ILS Worldshare. Their Web site can be viewed here:
http://www.oclc.org/us/en/default.htm |
EvergreenEvergreen is another popular open-source ILS for libraries. There Web site can be found here:
http://www.open-ils.org/ |
VoyagerVoyager is another ILS developed by the proprietary company Ex Libris. The Web site for this Ex Libris ILS can be found here:
http://www.exlibrisgroup.com/category/Voyager |
Page Revised Dec. 16, 2012