Natural Partners: Libraries and Open Source Initiatives

This paper examines how open source software (OSS) follows the ethical and philosophical resolves of libraries and the role that libraries can play in open source resources and initiatives. It examines whether librarians feel ethically compelled to participate in the “culture of sharing,” and, if libraries do commit to OSS, what might be the ripple effect? It discusses how libraries are affected by open access and how they make an effect on the OSS movement, as well as if they are leaders in regards to new technology. Finally, it looks at the role of libraries as part of the ideology of the open movement