Howard County Library uses a wide range of open source computer software in order to:
- expand access to library collections and services,
- exceed customer expectations, and
- contain hard costs for software licenses and computer hardware.
Why Open Source for Howard County Library?
Through the implementation of open source solutions developed and maintained by a knowledgeable and competent staff, Howard County Library customers and staff enjoy full access to Internet services, integrated library services (ILS) functionality, and office automation.
Howard County Library is committed to using open source software whenever feasible for the following reasons.
- We can provide functionality and flexibility that off-the-shelf software cannot by adapting open source software to match the software to the need.
- We save significantly when we roll out open source software. With minimal or no cost for software acquisition, monies can instead be used to purchase hardware and provide increased functionality to staff and customers;
- No upgrade costs for version upgrades mean we save money over the life cycle of a product.
- Using open source software allows us to continue using older, functional equipment far longer than we could with commercial operating systems and software. This is because open source software demands on hardware and resources are minimal.
- We incur no costs for maintaining licensing agreements or complying with complicated licensing requirements.
- We have no costs associated with the purchase or configuration of anti-virus and other malware software.
Open sources software refers to software for which the programming code is available to all users for review and modification.
Howard County Library believes that open source software offers many advantages:
Ease of Use: Open source software is easy to use.
Read more ...
Library Launches
a New System: Updated Computers Offer Customers More Functionality,
Services and Access, Says the Head of Technology Services.
Baltimore Sun Sept. 24, 2006
Article
on success of open source software in public library setting
GOVERNING.com January 2007
Compatibility: Open source software makes it easy to move between computers.
- Howard County library offers customers Firefox for web browsing
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The tabbed browsing and easy navigation make it a comfortable option for customers who have a variety of computer and browser experiences.
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Firefox provides a graceful middle ground between Internet Explorer and Safari (Apple's standard web browser).
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Firefox is an impressive software application. Its use of international standards and abundance of plug ins make it a wonderful enterprise solution for web browsing.
Howard County Library offers customers OpenOffice for word processing, spreadsheet creation, and presentation development.
Read more...
Howard
County Library (MD): Open Source-erers
Web Junction July 1, 2005
Living
with Linux, by Brian Auger
Library Journal April 14, 2004
OpenOffice.org
Mozilla's
Firefox
Cost Effectiveness: Open source software can save money for an enterprise.
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When considering whether to migrate from Windows NT to Windows XP or Groovix on the 284 customer machines, Howard County Library found Groovix to be dramatically cost effective. Rather than purchasing new machines, existing computers were used.
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Howard County library also uses gently used computers for public machines; each costs the system just over $100 yet provides comparable functionality because of the use of open source software.
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With Groovix, customers receive many of the same services available with Windows XP, but without the Library spending significant taxpayer dollars. Groovix cost Howard County Library:
- $25 for the software (systemwide for ALL desktops)
- $10,000 in memory upgrades
- nominal consulting fees from Open Sense Solutions
- 3-7 year old computers are used; replacements are bought for as little as $100 a desktop!
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Monies saved were used to upgrade computers, purchase software customization, and expand Library collections.
Read more...
Interview on Open Source in Libraries
More Computers for Library Customers
Revolution OS
Ubuntu Web Site
Open Sense Solutions (Groovix creator and vendor)
Full List of Articles about Howard County Library and Open
Source implementations.
Presentations by Howard County Library
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