SPEC Kit 340: Open Source Software (July 2014)

This SPEC Kit investigated ARL member libraries’ adoption and/or development of open source software (OSS) for functions such as ILS, discovery layer, electronic resource management, inter-library loan, digital asset management, institutional repository, course reserve, streaming media, study room scheduler, digital preservation, publishing, floor maps, data warehouse, or other library-related purposes. It explored research libraries’ policies and practices on open sourcing their code; the frequency with which research libraries contribute to open source projects; whether research libraries are reluctant to make their code openly available; and the most common benefits and challenges encountered when research libraries open source their code.

This SPEC Kit includes examples of OSS contributor agreements, licenses, copyright notices, job descriptions, and organization charts.

Thacker, J. Curtis, Charles D. Knutson, and Mark Dehmlow. Open Source Software. SPEC Kit 340. Washington, DC: Association of Research Libraries, July 2014.

https://doi.org/10.29242/spec.340

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Table of Contents

SPEC Kit 340: Open Source Software (July 2014)

Author(s): Thacker, J. Curtis; Knutson, Charles D.; Dehmlow, Mark
Keyword(s): research library%3B open source software%3B software development%3B library information technology%3B collaboration
Abstract:

This SPEC Kit investigated ARL member libraries’ adoption and/or development of open source software (OSS) for functions such as ILS, discovery layer, electronic resource management, inter-library loan, digital asset management, institutional repository, course reserve, streaming media, study room scheduler, digital preservation, publishing, floor maps, data warehouse, or other library-related purposes. It explored research libraries’ policies and practices on open sourcing their code; the frequency with which research libraries contribute to open source projects; whether research libraries are reluctant to make their code openly available; and the most common benefits and challenges encountered when research libraries open source their code.

This SPEC Kit includes examples of OSS contributor agreements, licenses, copyright notices, job descriptions, and organization charts.

Thacker, J. Curtis, Charles D. Knutson, and Mark Dehmlow. Open Source Software. SPEC Kit 340. Washington, DC: Association of Research Libraries, July 2014.