There are a bunch of handy decision support tools leading one along the way:
- Control versus responsibility: a survey tool = it will help you determine the degree you wish to participate and use Open Source software; it will help you determine the degree you want support hardware and software needs locally or remotely.
- Questions for a library's parent IT organisation = self-examination tool that will help you figuring out what expertise is required to support Open Source in-house (whether through dedicated IT dep. or library)
- Costs of Open Source software tool = mmmh, that's an important one alright. How much does it cost (time and effort to maintain a particular technology effort)
The site also provides a handy list of Open Source software packages explaining their purpose and what needs-gaps they plug. For example, LibraryH3lp is listed there, which is a web-chat/IM patron queuing system that delivers an integrated virtual help-desk/reference system. The service is used at our place to great effect, and students have come to appreciate it greatly. It was also quite straight forward enough to get it up and running...
Some great packages listed there - now to decide if they are worth the investment!
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