[Web4lib] RE: Open source support models

[Marcie Pierson]

Perhaps what she is saying is that, larger systems often have a person or entire staff dedicated to IT/ILS, whether they use open source or not. Small systems usually have to have one person become the IT/ILS guru on their own, and while open source may have online groups that are happy to assist with troubleshooting and such, that library person still has to do a lot of self-training. Regardless of cost/no cost, on top of normal library duties, a staff member working in a small library has to also become an expert in some piece(s) of software without the benefit of support from another department (or person).
 
Marcie Pierson
Reference Librarian
Grafton Public Library
35 Grafton Common 
Grafton, MA 01519
508-839-4649
508-839-7726 FAX

________________________________

From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org on behalf of Thomas Dowling
Sent: Fri 7/11/2008 12:13 PM
Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] RE: Open source support models



On 07/10/2008 05:06 PM, Caitlin Nelson wrote:
> Karen G. Schneider wrote:

>
> My point, I guess, is that it is still very hard for librarians with small
> budgets and no training to work with Open Source products.  The only
> solution I see right now is to /become/ that person who can offer support to
> others.  I'd love to start some kind of local community group support for
> Koha with other librarians in my area, but I have to first get my own act
> together and train myself, and it's a long frustrating road.
>

I don't understand: are you saying there are commercial alternatives
where the cost of software plus the cost of support is affordable in
your situation, but free software plus Liblime support is not affordable?


--
Thomas Dowling
tdowling at ohiolink.edu



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