July 21, 2009, 12 pm – 1:00 pm PDT

This webinar will last approximately one hour. There is no charge for this webinar. Pre-registration is not required.

For more information and to participate in the July 21 webinar, go to http://infopeople.org/training/webcasts/webcast_data/338/index.html

The first webinar in this series presented an introduction to and overview of Open in improving OSLS software – even if you’re not a programmer or a “techie”!

One of the great advantages of an Open Source Library System (OSLS) such as Koha or Evergreen is the ability to empower staff and optimize the user’s experience by getting involved in improving the software. This is in contrast to the traditional integrated library system (ILS) model where all the software development was done by “the vendor,” creating a condition of “learned helplessness” on the part of library staff. By making the transition to OSLS, you can shift the culture of your organization from “learned helplessness” to one in which everyone can contribute to enhancing their work environment.

This webinar will describe all the ways to get involved with an OSLS project — even if you aren’t a programmer. By the end of the webinar, you will understand why involving your organization in an OSLS project creates opportunities for delivering new services to customers and optimizing the work of your staff.

During this presentation, participants will:

  • Learn how to get involved, contribute, and affect which features get developed.
  • Learn how to participate in the OSLS community even if you aren’t a programmer.
  • Learn what service providers are available in the areas of needs assessment, migration, support, hosting, training, and development.
  • Learn about the role consortia can play in coordinating development projects, reducing support costs, and providing shared technical staff for individual libraries.
  • Learn about “resource-sharing” where the resources are library people instead of library material.
  • Hear about collaborative OSLS projects underway at the consortia and statewide level, all around the country.
  • Hear about California’s Open Source Library Consortium and the benefits of becoming a member.

This free webinar is the second in an Open Source Series sponsored by Infopeople, Califa, and the Open Source Library Consortium. The first two webinars will be presented by Lori Bowen Ayre and will focus on Open Source Library Systems (OSLS). Subsequent webinars will be delivered by other instructors and will cover Open Source applications including Drupal, Flickr, and Open Office.

Speaker: Lori Bowen Ayre. Lori is the Principal Consultant for The Galecia Group, a library technology consulting company that has been serving libraries for almost 10 years. Lori has been an advocate for expanding the use of open source software in libraries for public computers, web applications, calendaring and content management systems. She is particularly excited about the opportunities associated with open source library system software (Evergreen and Koha) because of the opportunities these open source software projects present for libraries to save money, and even more importantly, control their own destiny. Lori just completed a project with King County Library System to develop library system software requirements which are now being developed by Equinox for implementation on Evergreen. Lori is also working with various libraries and consortia to evaluate the pros and cons, as well as the various support options available for libraries interested in migrating to an open source library system. Lori has an M.L.I.S. and extensive library technology experience working with public libraries throughout the U.S.

If you are unable to attend the live event, you can access the archived version the day following the webinar. Check our archive listing at:

http://www.infopeople.org/training/webcasts/list/archived

Webinar: Open Source Library System Software: Libraries Are Doing it For Themselves
Date: July 21, 2009
Time: 12pm – 1:00 pm PDT
Speaker: Lori Bowen Ayre