Open source software and the library community

Clarke, Kevin Open source software and the library community., 2000 [Preprint]

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English abstract

This paper examines whether the library community should support the development of open source software, software whose licensing allows its source code, the part of a computer program that is readable by humans, to be redistributed and/or modified without restriction or charge. Included is an investigation into the present state of library-specific open source software and a discussion on the ideological and practical strengths and weaknesses of open source software in general. In addition, this paper explores the similarities between the “hacker culture” of the programming world and the traditional “gift culture” of the library community. Problems implementing open source software solutions are discussed, as are the strengths and weaknesses of library-specific open source software. In the final analysis, the support of open source software is seen as a positive step for the library community as it builds on the community’s strengths while minimizing its weaknesses.

Item type:	Preprint
Keywords:	gift culture; hacker culture; library cooperation; open source library software
Subjects:	L. Information technology and library technology > LJ. Software.
Depositing user:	Juan Manuel Zurita Sánchez
Date deposited:	28 Sep 2009
Last modified:	02 Oct 2014 12:14
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/10760/13297

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