Catalyst IT, a New Zealand-based open source cloud solutions company, has completed the installation of the Koha Library Management System at Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
The Linux-based system was created in New Zealand and is now one of the most frequently used open source library management systems in the world.
“Koha is open source software which connects us to an international community of over 15,000 libraries working collaboratively to continually improve it,” Ben Conyers, AUT’s head of research and learning, announced when the initiative began in August.
Two in-person seminars between Catalyst and AUT kicked off the initiative. Following a brief pause due to lockdowns, the remainder of the project was completed remotely.
Server setup and configuration, data migration, programming, training, and advising were all provided by Catalyst’s Koha team, according to a statement.
The solution also connects to AUT’s other internal systems, such as the online catalog, self-check machines, automatic new user processing, the university’s app, and an online portal.
This is the first project that the Koha team has intentionally aimed to conduct in a te ao Mori fashion, working with the AUT Library Mori Engagement Group to align values, according to the statement from Catalyst.
“Working with the AUT team has been a highlight of our year. The library has been working towards growing their use of open source systems for years now, and it’s been wonderful to be invited into their program of work,” said Catalyst Koha services manager Kathryn Tyree.
“It feels like we will continue to learn a lot from each other, and hopefully encourage more libraries to own their future technology solutions, while keeping their system data and support in Aotearoa”.
This is what AUT project manager Craig Murdoch said about the project, “We see the team at Catalyst as partners rather than vendors, and their commitment, skills and genuine approach meant our implementation was a real pleasure.
“We strongly believe that using Koha will bring significant benefits in terms of capability development, staff satisfaction and gaining the flexibility to control our own destiny. The future is exciting and we’d love to see more New Zealand libraries join us on the Koha journey.”
