Enhancing Library Services using Open Source Software Koha: Prototype Model of Centralized Library System of Sinhgad Institute's Higher Education Libraries

Authors have prepared a Prototype Model of Centralized Library System for the Pune based Sinhgad Institute's Higher Education Libraries. Authors believe that there is an opportunity to save the time of Readers as well as Library Staff and improve the quality of services provided by the library and information centers by introducing new services with the proposed centralized model discussed in the book. There is also an opportunity for the organizations to use the existing resources effectively to save on the cost incurred on various library automation aspects including the hardware, software and technical processing works. In the current scenario, if institutions / organizations provide training to the existing library staff regarding open source software like Koha, it will be the most powerful alternative to commercial as well as in-house library management system. Book discusses the advantages and disadvantages of various Commercial, In-House and Open Source Library Management Systems.