Installation and Customization of DSpace Open Source Software. A case study of Alliance Francaise de Takoradi.
Osei Bugyei, Emmanuel (2017)
Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu
2017
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017121220824
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2017121220824
Tiivistelmä
Libraries in their nature are more than collections. They consist of service to customers, ownership of collection, providing sustainability and offering opportunity to find existing library items outside of a collection. Presently, institutions in different fields are increasingly using digital libraries or repositories to manage their library collections and archives. Most common among them are educational institutions, health establishments, development agencies and the likes. This thesis was commissioned by Alliance Francaise de Takoradi in January 2016 and was approved by Laurea University of Applied Sciences in September 2017. The institution, Alliance Francaise de Takoradi presently do not use any digital data repository system to manage its library as an alternative to its traditional library. They only depend on the traditional manual system of organizing their library, i.e. loaning library items and proper tracking of library resources among others. The situation makes it difficult for the institution to loan online materials to their patrons because of non-availability of a digitized library application. This thesis aimed to provide access to an online library infrastructure to eliminate an existing manual system of running a library setup, using installing and customizing DSpace digital repository software for the institution. Subsequently, to collect, digitize, catalogue, and make accessible library items; expand readership base through remote access; make readily available library materials or resources to explore and download, and promote effective distribution of information to all users.
The outcome of the installation and the customization process provided a stable-built prototype digital library repository for the client that captured the community base of the institution with all the necessary features of a digital library as requested. The application also helped to convert sample printed documents own by Alliance Francaise that are not in digital form to a digital format that can be accessed and read online. Usually, handwritten letters are sent to patrons in possession of materials due for returns. It takes weeks before the letters get to the borrower and sometimes they must buy new materials to replace the unreturned copies. The situation however, adds a financial burden to the institution since they are a non-profit entity. In this instance, cost of operating the institution’s library reduces because of efficiency in running a digital library i.e., tracking and sending notification on borrowed materials. The methods used were structured interviews and discussions with Mr. Joseph Bruce, the director and some patrons of the institution. There is an existing blueprint for the project that sets out all requirements needed for the application hence this approach. It was used to get responses that permit further elaboration.
The installed and customized DSpace software met the requirement expectations of Alliance Francaise. Alliance Francaise noticed when they used the prototype application. The requirements of the application were stated and agreed on in the initial stage of the project. Configuration and customization was the other approach in the implementation processes. It was done purely in coding in HTML5, JavaScript and CSS. The methodology used proved to be beneficial for the project as it helped to identify the client's most pressing need and proffered solution with the prototype. The project is likely to meet some challenges during its actual implementation stages, and this may include: Cost of operation, i.e., maintenance and regular updates; Cost of purchasing digital materials; Internet and web-based services availability; Copyright issues, i.e., reproduction and loaning of copyright-protected materials. The recommendation is that adequate funding is made available to curtail these problems when they arise. The result of the documented requirements, processes, and challenges of the project can aid in further analysis and addition of extra features and customization to the library repository.
The outcome of the installation and the customization process provided a stable-built prototype digital library repository for the client that captured the community base of the institution with all the necessary features of a digital library as requested. The application also helped to convert sample printed documents own by Alliance Francaise that are not in digital form to a digital format that can be accessed and read online. Usually, handwritten letters are sent to patrons in possession of materials due for returns. It takes weeks before the letters get to the borrower and sometimes they must buy new materials to replace the unreturned copies. The situation however, adds a financial burden to the institution since they are a non-profit entity. In this instance, cost of operating the institution’s library reduces because of efficiency in running a digital library i.e., tracking and sending notification on borrowed materials. The methods used were structured interviews and discussions with Mr. Joseph Bruce, the director and some patrons of the institution. There is an existing blueprint for the project that sets out all requirements needed for the application hence this approach. It was used to get responses that permit further elaboration.
The installed and customized DSpace software met the requirement expectations of Alliance Francaise. Alliance Francaise noticed when they used the prototype application. The requirements of the application were stated and agreed on in the initial stage of the project. Configuration and customization was the other approach in the implementation processes. It was done purely in coding in HTML5, JavaScript and CSS. The methodology used proved to be beneficial for the project as it helped to identify the client's most pressing need and proffered solution with the prototype. The project is likely to meet some challenges during its actual implementation stages, and this may include: Cost of operation, i.e., maintenance and regular updates; Cost of purchasing digital materials; Internet and web-based services availability; Copyright issues, i.e., reproduction and loaning of copyright-protected materials. The recommendation is that adequate funding is made available to curtail these problems when they arise. The result of the documented requirements, processes, and challenges of the project can aid in further analysis and addition of extra features and customization to the library repository.