Dear Colleagues,

I understand from a professional colleague, who referred me to this list,
that there are some experienced open source programmers here. I am in the
early stages of planning for a conference session/open source project in
June 2013 for a different professional library organization. Here is the
session title and description:

Open Source Platform Project for E-book Lending

Facilitate a discussion between interested collaborators of how to create
an alternative model that allows theological research libraries to
permanently own their e-books "without concern over rising licensing fees
or changing terms from aggregators and distributors." (Matt Enis, "Harris
County PL to Test DCL Ebook Model" Library Journal 137, no. 16 (October 1,
2012):16). This is a preliminary step to construct a team to design or
tailor an ideal e-book platform akin to Douglas County Libraries
(Colorado) or Harris County Public Library (Houston, TX) where libraries
purchase to own e-books and lend to users as with print books
(one-copy/one-user) in a seamless fashion in their OPAC. We will assess
the human, financial, and technological resources that are needed to
create and maintain the platform. The platform would be library-owned and
library-managed and available to share with other ATLA member libraries.
System administrators, programmers, IT specialists, electronic resource
managers, and others who desire to make this project happen are encouraged
to attend. Different perspectives are also welcomed.

I have corresponded with Douglas County Libraries but I also want to ask
this group if you have any suggestions for the following elements for a
successful project like this:

1. What kind of skill sets (esp. programming) should I be seeking?
2. Where would the best place to host an open source project (e.g.,
Sourceforge.net, Google, etc.) to draw expertise and to avoid malicious
code?
3. What software/hardware would you recommend that would be a means to a
quality end-product as well as provide efficiency?
4. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cordially,

Donna R. Campbell
Technical Services & Systems Librarian
(215) 935-3872 (phone)
(267) 295-3641 (fax)
Mailing Address (via USPS):
Westminster Theological Seminary Library
P.O. Box 27009
Philadelphia, PA 19118  USA
Shipping Address (via UPS or FedEx):
Westminster Theological Seminary Library
2960 W. Church Rd.
Glenside, PA 19038  USA