Open Source Library Management and Digital Library Software

In this era of transition from information age to knowledge society, the libraries have much greaterchallenges to face. The whole perception of library has now changed from collection of books to a singlewindow knowledge bank. This paper discusses the definition and features of open source library managementsoftware, criteria of selection of best open source library management software, their, advantages andlimitations. Open source library management software is a solution to reducing that cost. The paper describesin brief about the feature of some of the open source library management software like Greenstone DigitalLibrary, DSpace, Koha, E-Prints, NewGenlib. PhpMyLibrary, OpenBiblio, Avanti, etc., which are useful fordeveloping digital library and institutional repositories.The paper also highlight the initiatives taken in India tomake use of open source library management software for developing their digital libraries.http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/djlit.32.5.2647