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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.