What is open source software and what can it do for your library? New eCourse

CHICAGO - ALA Editions announces a new facilitated eCourse, Open Source Software for Libraries: How it Works; What it Can do for You, with Diane Kovacs and Diane Adler.

Open source software offers libraries the opportunity to save money and maintain a degree of flexibility and control over their own software that they may not get with proprietary programs. In this new eCourse, students will explore the open source movement and learn about its implications for libraries. Experienced technology trainers Kovacs and Adler will explain what open source means and how it works and will demonstrate its many applications for libraries and librarians.

After completing this eCourse, students will:

• Have an understanding of the open source software movement;
• Understand the key issues surrounding the implementation of open source software in libraries;
• Be able to identify major open source programs and understand what they do;
• Understand the current landscape of library-specific open source programs;
• Have resources for finding additional open source programs to suit different needs.

eCourse outline

Week 1

• Introduction and overview of the eCourse: introductory lecture, initial readings and assignments

Week 2

• Open source software overview and library open source software

Week 3

• Open source software licensing and sustainability

Week 4

• Introduction to copyright and the public domain
• Open licenses in the context of open source software

Diane Kovacs is a consultant, teacher and librarian. She has nine years’ experience teaching online in library schools, for both the University of Illinois and San Jose State University. An instructional designer and trainer, she has developed courses for public and academic librarians on technology usage, library instruction, Web design, government documents, virtual reference and electronic collection development. In 2000 she received the "Documents to the People" award from the Government Documents Roundtable (GODORT).

Diane Adler is director of library Services at the Daly Memorial Library at Gillette College in Wyoming. She is one of the seven members of the Wyoming Library Funding Committee, which negotiates and selects library databases for the Wyoming Community Colleges. She presents information literacy instruction to a wide variety of populations.

Registration for this ALA Editions facilitated eCourse, which begins on Oct. 15, 2012, can be purchased at the ALA Store. Participants in this course will need regular access to a computer with an Internet connection for online message board participation, viewing online video, listening to streaming audio (MP3 files) and downloading and viewing PDF and PowerPoint files.

ALA Editions publishes resources used worldwide by tens of thousands of library and information professionals to improve programs, build on best practices, develop leadership, and for personal professional development. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a growing range of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions at (800) 545-2433 ext. 5418 or editionscoursehelp@ala.org.

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness, and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide.