The document discusses free and open source tools that are useful for libraries. It begins by defining open source software and its benefits. It then lists some commonly known tools like Firefox, LibreOffice, and Linux. The bulk of the document describes lesser known but still useful tools for libraries, including LimeSurvey for web surveys, Scribus for desktop publishing, Camstudio for screencasts, and Zotero for citation management. It provides brief descriptions of each tool's functionality and benefits. The document encourages finding more tools through listed resources.
1. Free & Open Source Tools
Nicole C. Engard
Vice President of Education @ ByWater Solutions
http://web2learning.net
@nengard
Links: http://www.delicious.com/nengard/cildctools
2. Tweet Questions
with hash tag
#CILDCTools
We will monitor that feed and
answer questions at the end and
during the talk!
3. What is Open Source
● Open source software is software that users have the
freedom to run, distribute, study and modify for any
purpose.
● Open source is a collaborative software development
method that harnesses the power of peer review and
transparency of process to develop code that is freely
accessible.
● Open source draws on an ecosystem of thousands of
developers and customers all over the world to drive
innovation.
● Open Source software is often free of cost, but not always.
When talking about Free and Open Source we're talking
about about Free as in Freedom.
● Open Source is about more than the software it's about those
who work with, on, and for the software!
4. Tools You Probably Know Of
● FireFox
○ www.firefox.com
● LibreOffice
○ www.libreoffice.org
● Linux / Ubuntu
○ www.ubuntu.org
5. Tools You Probably Know Of
w
ords
● Koha ILS
koha-community.org
○
● Evergreen ILS
○open-ils.org
7. LimeSurvey – Web Surveys
www.limesurvey.org
● Free Surveys
● Hosted on your servers
● Unlimited surveys
● Data is all yours
● Surveys in multiple languages
● Printable surveys
10. LibKi – Public PC Mgment
www.libki.org
● Designed by and for librarians
● Web-based admin area
● Manage library computer users
● Manage library patron’s time on
computers
11. Zotero – Citation Mgment
www.zotero.org
● Citations stored in Firefox & online
● Shared libraries
● Online groups for sharing of resources
● Generate bibliographies with a couple clicks
Online PDF storage for full text
● Awesome Guide: research.library.gsu.
edu/zotero
12. Pidgin – Instant Messaging
www.pidgin.im
● Login to multiple IM
Accounts
● Custom away messages
● Typing notification
13. Spark – Enterprise Instant Msg
www.igniterealtime.org/projects/spark/
● IM client optimized for businesses and
organizations
● Built-in support for group chat, telephony
integration, and strong security
Features like inline spell checking, group
●
chat room bookmarks, and tabbed
conversations.
14. LibStats – Reference Stats
code.google.com/p/libstats/
● Track reference questions
● Build a knowledgebase
● Data stored on your servers
15. Omeka – Online Exhibits
www.omeka.org
● Professional-looking online
exhibits for your digital collections
● Tagging and RSS feeds
● Multiple themes
20. Reserves Direct – Course Reserves
www.reservesdirect.org
Instructors & librarians can
●
manage course reserves
Integrates into library catalog
●
21. Subject Guide – Subjects Plus
www.subjectsplus.com
● Subject or Course Guides
● A-Z List of Databases
● FAQs
● Suggestion Box
22. LibX – Browser Toolbar
http://libx.org
Browser toolbar
●
Instant access to library
●
resources
Easy to configure by browsing
●
the work of others
23. Portable Apps –Bring Apps w/ You
www.portableapps.com
Allows for the install of many open
●
source applications on a USB drive
Take your applications and settings
●
with you
Play with new software without
●
commitment