For the last 10 months or so, I've been working with my counterparts to build a library at my youth center. We now have over 700 titles, mostly in Georgian, and I'm quite proud of it.
In addition to having some of the best new literature around, we have a state-of-the-art system for cataloging and tracking books, and to my knowledge, the first online book catalog in Georgia.
www.newkutaisi.com
(on the left of the page, click on the link that translates the site to English)
I'm most proud of the fact that every single step of the way, from writing the project, applying for funds, cataloging the books, and even designing and building the website, my counterparts have learned the proccess and are maintaining the project.
The library (though small) would seem pretty normal to an American. The shelves are well organized, we have titles in most genres, and subscriptions to popular periodicals. The books even have barcodes and we have a scanner (thanks Mike!) to check them out.
So, that there is a library that would seem pretty normal to an American in Kutaisi is kind of a big deal. :)
Some of our funding came from the Peace Corps Partnership Program If your ever looking for a place to donate a few bucks and want to be sure it's used well, click on that link. It connects you directly to projects Peace Corps Volunteers are working on all over the world. There is no more direct way I know for you to help build communities in the developing world and to be able to really evaluate EXACTLY what your contribution is funding...
For the nerdier of my blog readers, I'm also proud the library is completely open source. This was also quite an accomplishment as software piracy is the overwhelming norm here. We use (and love) ubuntu linux, open source library software, and an open source cms for the website.
Is that Ubuntu complete with the jiggly-window effect that comes with Ubuntu? Because if your computer card catalog has jiggly windows, it's actually BETTER than an American library!
Awesome! That's some really nice work!
What an accomplishment this is! I can only imagine all the hard work that went into developing not only the library itself, but all the systems to run it.
and to comment on your last entry - can't wait for you to be home!! Two little girls are just waiting to meet their aunt and uncle :)
Tom, that is so Cool. Starting in 2005, at Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library (in Stow) I changed our catalog over to Open Source. Also we are running the catalog machines using Cent-OS LTSP Linux (Open Source Red-Hat) thin clients.
I tried to get staff to switch to Ubuntu for staff PCs but they are used to their Window$. In any case we saved about $200,000 on the migration cost, $10,000-$30,000/yr on the ongoing costs and probably more.
I don't know much about Open Biblio, we have been running Koha. The new Koha 3 is coming out and there is a beta, I have been a developer for that mostly writing PHP but some Perl for the new system also. http://koha.org give it a try. The new Koha 3 is pretty easy to install on Debian Linux, but since you are running OpenBiblio. :)
Great accomplishment!!!! What you did is really cool!!! Geez, since 2005 Summer, the open source library thing is all I have been doing. I wish we could have collaborated more, but you need to go your own path! I see in other countries they are running ObenBiblio more. Take a look at the new Koha 3, it is really looking good (If you want!).
Good Job!!!! I'll need to talk to you when you come back, as the economy in America gets a little funky, many, and I mean, MANY libraries are switching to Open Source catalog systems either with Koha, Evergreen, and some others. It is really taking off and lots of places are hiring, and get this---work at home...I think in the US, most libraries here will *need* to run it the way the economy is going, but the open source library companies are growing very fast and have constant positions open. F.Y.I. Again great job!!!
By the way, your library catalog looks great, I just can't read Georgian! - Darrell
Tom,
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6396354.html
Check out the above link. The "Georgia" public library system in the US couldn't afford their proprietary system, and in Georgia (state) :) in Fall of 2007 they migrated most of the rural state to one big Open Source library system. This was the biggest news in the library world for a long time. Ohio is going Open Source here and there with Koha which is from the Maori area of New Zealand (think Whale Rider-the movie).
Pretty strange that both the state of Georgia and the country of Georgia are going open source. This would be a really cool entry in the library world back in the US that the country of Georgia is going with open source! Kinda parallel huh? Well, with the economy here...more libraries will be switching soon enough...the Georgia/Georgia link up is just too weird! Emily couldn't believe it when she read your blog entry!!! WOW!