I'm one of those former software engineers, and I think there is a
need for a repository of library-specific applications. For example,
I've been thinking I'd like to develop a web-based personnel
scheduling program. Library scheduling has some unique problems, as
I'm sure you all know. There are some applications available, but they
all cost money.(If I can earn some extra credit in Library Management
class next semester, so much the better. ;-)) An customizable events
calendar suitable for insertion into a library website is another task
that interests me.
Harvesting metadata and writing our own ILSs is the sexy stuff, but
I'm sure there are a lot of little tasks that could be made easier
with a judicious application of software.
On 8/14/07, Will Kurt <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Andrew, the pear.php.net repository site really
> seems to be essentially what I was envisioning
> (especially with the proposals section).
>
> Erik, there are several good reasons to build our
> own rather than use space available in other
> domains. The first and foremost is that the
> library community is big enough and specific
> enough to warrant its own centralized location for these things.
>
> Another issue is that there are a large range of
> skills that are useful to library application
> development that simply aren't touched on in
> other areas. There are plenty of people who
> understand AACR2, FRBR, LCSH etc that wouldn't go
> near a place like sourceforge thinking there is no room for them there.
>
> Simple branding is another very important
> reason. Google the phrase 'library open source'
> and tell me if the results give you any sense
> that the library community is actively developing
> open source tools/libraries/applications/etc. to meet its needs.
>
> I've known a fair amount of library-staff who
> work on little code projects in isolation, who if
> they knew there was a larger project they could
> work on and get involved with they would (this is
> also true for the relatively large number of
> ex-software developers I've met in libraries).
> Snippets of code and various packages/libraries
> need to be organized and collected, but the
> larger aim would be to create a community of
> people interested in creating open source software applications for libraries.
>
> --Will
>
>
>
--
Sharon M. Foster, B.S., J.D., 0.58 * (MLS)
F/OSS Evangelist
Cheshire Public Library
104 Main Street
Cheshire, CT 06410
http://www.cheshirelibrary.org
My library school portfolio: http://home.southernct.edu/~fosters4/
My final project for ILS655, Digital Libraries:
http://www.vsa-software.com/ils655
Any opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
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