Helping Libraries Decide If and What Open Source Software is Right for Them

Is open source software right for my library? Do we have the necessary skills and support to run open source software? Would it be cheaper or more expensive for me to use open source software? What open source software package fits my requirements? With the financial support of the Mellon Foundation, LYRASIS supports a suite of self-guided assessments along with a registry of software that libraries can use to find information about open source software service providers, events, and usage by peers. With these tools, libraries can find answers to their questions about open source software. The self-guided assessments include a worksheet to lead a library through the process of determining a full accounting of costs of open source and proprietary solutions, questions to ask a parent organization when considering the unique requirements of open source, and a methodology to follow for selected an open source package. The software registry has places where projects can post news of software releases and events, where libraries can rate and comment on software, and where service providers such as hosting sites, custom development, and implementation consultants link their offerings to software packages. Attendees will see demonstrations of the registry features and learn how these features can answer a library\u27s questions about what software is available. Attendees will also learn about the different self-guided assessments and how they can be applied to a library\u27s unique environment