NewGenLib

Version 2.2 Beta 1 is now available for download. Click on Downloads & documentation for more details
NewGenLib, an Integrated Library Management System, is now freely available as open source under the most widely used free software license, GNU General Public License (GNU GPL) v3. Since becoming open source under GNU GPL, considerable interest has been shown in the software. Many libraries have reported downloading the software and are in the process of seeking help in data conversion, training, etc.

NewGenLib is the result of collaboration between specialists in library automation and software specialists. The software was developed over a 4-year joint effort between a professional charitable trust, Kesavan Institute of Information and Knowledge Management (KIIKM) and a fledgling software development company, Verus Solutions Pvt. Limited (VSPL), both in Hyderabad, India. Domain knowledge, functionality testing, initial promotion via presentations at professional meetings and assistance in preparing user documentation was provided by KIIKM. Software development was done by VSPL. The funding of the development and associated work was completely from individual/private sources and one venture capitalist.

Before becoming an open source product at the end of 2007, it was already in use in 122 libraries, mainly in India but also including installations in Syria (3), Sudan and Cambodia. However, after licensing the software commercially since 2003, KIIKM and VSPL decided that the software should be made open source for the following reasons:

  • The inadequate appreciation of the importance of investments in web-based library management and networking systems in India (and probably in other developing countries),
  • Library professionals in these countries still do not use web technologies to make a difference in services to their patrons,
  • the need to bridge the divide between the older, resource-rich institutions (e.g., universities, R & D Center’s) and recently established colleges, universities, public libraries,
  • Libraries in India still do not generally use international metadata and interoperability standards (e.g., MARC-21, Dublin Core, OAI-PMH) and it is believed that this puts them at a great disadvantage when it comes to sharing metadata and building union catalogues and networking, and
  • the fact that libraries are not networked and hence are handicapped in sharing costly bibliographic and full text resources among themselves,
  • the importance of providing a software that would allow both library management and the creation of institutional open access repositories compliant with OAI-PMH to encourage the development of such repositories,
  • Licence costs for contemporary web-based ILMS software is beyond the reach of many libraries. Ongoing support costs of commercially licensed ILMS are also high and this factor is a damper on libraries in India (and other developing countries) from using these even if they can afford the initial licensing costs, and
  • to make available software that takes note of application environments and library practices typical of India and other developing countries.

KIIKM and VSPL felt that open source software would counter some of the above-mentioned gaps and therefore would attract many more users. For sustainability, moving away from a license-based business model to a service-based one probably seemed to make sense. KIIKM and VSPL are seeking funding to conduct workshops to build awareness of NewGenLib, and from higher education and research bodies to enable libraries to build networks, in India initially, that would enable easier and wider access to their resources for a broad spectrum of users.

KIIKM still takes an interest in the software and its use via participation in professional forums.

The development company (VSPL) is already working on a new version (3.0) which incorporates a requirements specification from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome. This version will also become available on the open source platform.