December 29, 2022

Adoption, Implementation, and Functionality of KOHA in SAMB Library

 

Introduction

Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya Library is an academic resource centre for study and research. Although the library was established with the objective of supporting in the study, teaching and research needs, shortly after the establishment of Suping Campus at Bhimphedi the library is rendering services to the users of the Mahavidyalaya. The accession register records that it was started on the 24th November 1978. At present there are two more libraries, i.e. Bachelor Library in Bachelor Block and Reference Library in +2 Block. The Library has more than 25 thousand printed documents. There are more than 15 titles of periodicals and newspapers. Library automation is the conversion of a library’s procedures from manual to computerized, such as from a card catalog to an OPAC, or from manual circulation cards to an integrated library system.

According to Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences (Kent, 1977) “Library Automation is the use of automatic and semiautomatic data processing machines to perform such traditional library activities as acquisitions, cataloguing and circulation. These activities are not necessarily performed in traditional ways, the activities themselves are those traditionally associated with libraries; library automation may thus be distinguished from related fields such as information retrieval, automatic indexing and abstracting and automatic textual analysis”.

About SAMB Central Library

The main goal of the Library is to back the institution to achieve its goal of research-based, student-centered teaching-learning task and knowledge transfer. It gives Internet and information service to students. To fulfil the Vision and Mission of institution, beautiful library was established on the 24 November, 1978 (according to Accession Register) when T.U. Suping Campus Library was established.

Automation History of SAMB Library

Library plays a central role in an academic institution. It is the heart of the institution and an indicator of its quality and standard. It supports to impart quality education, and therefore, must be updated constantly with sufficient educational materials. It is this principle that has led SAMB to update its facilities and resources, and to purchase books and journals through its regular budget. SAMB Library previously used CDS/ISIS a software developed and distributed by UNESCO for information storage and retrieval. Keeping in view the developments in the field of technology, it has become necessary to automate all activities of library.

The SAMB Library has started automation and migration of data works by using the Koha 2.2.8 (released in March 8, 2007) on 2008. From May 2008, the library started to implement all modules of Koha like cataloguing, circulation, OPAC etc. Circulation report records that it was circulated books at first time in 18th May 2008. SAMB Library is the first library in Nepal which is circulating its documents by using Koha. Now, SAMB Library is using the latest version of koha 21.05 (released on 28 May 2021) for its Nepali and English documents and added the new feature i.e. email notification to users.

KOHA Integrated Library Software (ILS)

KOHA is a web based ILS with a SQL database (MySQL) backend, cataloguing data stored in MARC and accessible via Z39.50. KOHA user's interface is very configurable and adoptable which has been translated in to many languages. KOHA was initially developed in New Zealand by Katipo Communication Limited and first deployed in January 2000 for Horowhenua Library Trust. After the original implementation of KOHA, it has been adopted by thousands of libraries worldwide and each adding features and functions, deepening the capability of the software. Now the KOHA has state of the art web interface for clients and librarians, enriched content, faceted navigation, keyword searching, user contribution.

Function of KOHA at SAMB Library

Online public access catalogue (OPAC): The OPAC is web-based and there is no need to install any software on a user's machine.

Web-based circulation interface: Can handle issues, returns, transfers, etc. There is no need to install any special software on staff computers once there is an intranet in place.

Branches: Since the software is web-based it is easy to borrow a book in one branch and return it in another branch.

Borrower history: Users can comment and review books, tag them and view their reading history. They can also view their records and make purchase suggestions.

Customizable search: A library can choose the fields they want on their search form. For example, a search by author, title, subject, and keywords. There is also an advanced search option.

Acquisitions: This includes orders from vendors, budgets, and pricing information.

Serials: It allows easy cataloguing of journals and user can view holdings information through the OPAC.

Multi-lingual OPAC support: KOHA allows patrons to view the OPAC in different languages depending on the language chosen by the library.

Overdue fines and notices: KOHA manages overdue fines and notices that can be sent to users by e-mail.

Barcode and Spain printing and reader: KOHA fully supports the use of barcodes thereby removing the chances of human error. Reports and statistics. KOHA can generate management reports and statistics in cataloging, acquisitions, serials, and circulation.

Conclusion 

Library automation has become a necessity in this current period. Adopting KOHA in libraries is increasing day by day. Due to its excellent feature, KOHA is becoming the priority for those who use open-source software. In KOHA, user interface is very configurable. KOHA is widely used library automation software in the world and it has the provisions for all library operation. It provides cataloguing, Searching, Member management, an acquisitions system and circulation. All these are configurable as per the library needs. Koha is free Library Software and it avoids duplication.

References  

Kent, Allen (1977). Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science. New York, NY: Marcel Dekkar.

Riaz, Muhammad (1992). Library automation, Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi.

Shah, Steve; Soyinka, Wale (2005), Linux administration: a beginner's guide, 4th ed., Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing, New Delhi.

Websites

http://koha-community.org

http://kohageek.blogspot.com/

https://www.mkshah.com.np/

www.koha.org

www.kohadocs.org

(This Article is Published in Sallaghari annual Magzine 2079 of Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya, Bhaktapur)

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