Digital Libraries and Open Source Software

Abstract

Open source software (OSS) is popular with technically sophisticated users, who are often also the software developers, and has not yet made a significant impact on the desktop of most users. OSS has much potential for libraries and information centres, and there are a number of projects, including Greenstone, DSpace and Ganesha, etc that demonstrates its viability in this context. OSS is becoming an increasingly popular software development method. This paper highlights what is an OSS, its features, software licensing, advantages and disadvantages. The paper also highlights the features, functions and use of three popular digital libraries software viz. Greenstone, DSpace and Ganesha.