Software Migration from LibSys 4.0 to Koha: Post Migration Scenario in a University Library of North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India

Abstract

Choice of library management software is an important step during the planning phase of library automation especially in a large academic library system viz. university library. The choice thus made inevitably will have an impact when the performance of the modern library system is evaluated. Lately, most of the modern library software have the different features integrated in the workflow of the software which appear to be absent to a first-time user. It is the inherent designed in the workflow that characterized the operation of Integrated Library Management System (ILMS). The key objective of any library i.e. to manage its collection, users and provide the right information to the right user at the right time. This requirement should be exhibited flawlessly by the Integrated Library Management System under operation. The rapid development of the Internet and new ICT applications especially in the social media network have strongly influence the characteristics of potential library users. This is evident based on their preference for the types of documents, mode to access or retrieve information and searching strategies. With a focus on these vital aspects, and to stay relevant with time, policy of migration from one software to another is recommended for an automated library system. However, this procedure should be adopted using proven methodology based on best practices to ensure minimal errors. This will facilitate ease in future adaptation, reduce the time spent on the extraction and transferring of data at a lower cost.