Abstract:
Open source integrated library system emerged as an alternative model of software
development. It has revolutionized the development of integrated library management software
and offers a number of attractions for libraries, especially for developing countries. The use of
open source has grown rapidly and becomes a trend because of its low cost, flexibility,
availability of source code and free redistribution. Open Source allows that library to participate
directly in the development of its systems and services in a manner consistent with the
value of librarianship. Due to the advantages of open source, small and medium size libraries
are moving to open source library management systems. The main aim of this study was to
investigate the implementation of open sources integrated library management system for
effective library services. The methodology employed to conduct this study was survey research
method and the respondents’ drawn from Jimma and Mekelle universities, the study population
for this study was (13,550) which comprised of academic staff, library staff and students.
Convenience sampling method was used to select students and academic staff, purposive
sampling method was used to select study areas and sample of library staff. Data for the study
was collected through questionnaire, face-to-face interview and observation. The result of the
study shows that 36% of respondents indicated that ABCD integrated library system has a
complete feature to manage overall integrated library services. 67% of respondents indicated
that their library system was partially automated and 26.5% respondents said that the
automation was at initial stage. Only OPAC and cataloging parts of ABCD integrated library
system are 100% (hundred percent) automated, circulation partial automated, acquisition and
serial control not yet functionally automated. The research indecates that both universiety
libraries were faced different factors influnce on full implemention of ABCD library system these
are low participation of ICT center, lack of feasibility study, lack of management support,
inadequate funding and lack of skilled digital librarian
