[Koha] Counting the cost

Thu Feb 19 06:13:49 NZDT 2009

Excellent point - sometimes I'm sure I can't see the forest for the trees,
and maybe this is one of those times.

I will say, that despite its small size, using an OPAC like Koha would allow
us to potentially serve patrons who live across a wide geographic area, i.e.
across South Africa.  Also, we're thinking a Koha installation might
encourage collaborative activity as multiple organisations learn to share an
ILS, and make a wider range of library resources available to respective
members, and perhaps eventually to non-members or other libraries via
inter-library loans.  Perhaps Koha could help us make a valuable resource
more accessible to society.

Finally, as a non-librarian myself, my understanding is that one of the key
qualities of an ILS like Koha is its ability to point the user to
appropriate books, etc. according to the need - i.e. strong search features
build into the software (I assume Koha has this).  Often our students find
books by simply looking on the shelf, then choosing ones that look
interesting.  However, more advanced library users may find first-rate
materials through a more abstract process of heading to the computer for
some leads.

Again, thank you for the reality check.  I'll keep considering what you've
said.

From: Erik Lewis [mailto:elewis at ngrl.org] 
Sent: 18 February 2009 05:17 PM
To: Nelson Fredsell -CCE
Subject: Re: [Koha] Counting the cost

I'm going to say it, but is automating a library with fewer than 50
transactions a day really needed?  The bulk of the functionality of a ILS is
to replicate manual processes that libraries began with because those tasks
became to arduous to perform manually.  To each their own but to me it seems
like a sledge hammer to kill a fly? I'm all for the growth of Koha and free
solutions, but I think there are times to stand back and ask do I need a
shovel or backhoe?  

On Feb 18, 2009, at 9:43 AM, Nelson Fredsell -CCE wrote:

I am considering Koha for our very small libraries (Fewer than 50
transactions/day).  We might get some help doing the initial setup on a
CentOS 5.2 server.  We're wanting a basic install, allowing patrons to do
online search of catalogues of multiple collections in a single library, and
multiple libraries belonging to legally separate NGOs.

+Once set up, is it possible that it could need very little
support/maintenance?  We could pay something for set up, but ongoing annual
support fees we'd like to avoid.

+And I suppose that support could be provided remotely, perhaps on an hourly
basis, with the exception of possibly needing to reboot the server. 

+We have limited IT skills inhouse and NO full time library staff. 

+ Staff who do the cataloguing  would not be professional librarians.

+We've developed our own cataloguing system, not standard in any way - can
Koha work with this?  Maybe over time we'd like to standardize.

+If so, the chaser question is that each very small (NGO/school) library has
its  own cataloguing system: would this be a problem for Koha - single
install, multiple administrators (one at each library).

I don't want to bite off more than we can chew, and I don't want to leave my
NGO in the lurch after I'm no longer employed there.  I have about three
months to implement something, and make sure it's stable.

Thanks very much for feedback,

Nelson

Administrator / resident techie

Centre for Creative Education

Cape Town, South Africa

www.cfce.org.za

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Erik Lewis, Branch Manager

Dalton-Whitfield County Library

706-876-1376

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