Evaluating Open-Source Digital Library Systems: A Comparative Study

Digital Libraries (DLs) enable the development, organization, and administration of digital resources and collections while offering search, retrieval, and other information services through computer networks and electronic platforms. The efficient management of digital content in these libraries bolsters the knowledge economy and fosters an environment conducive to scientific advancements and innovations. Open source is increasingly viewed as a viable alternative to commercial digital library systems, largely due to dissatisfaction with their functionality. Additionally, budget constraints faced by libraries and the rising costs of software development and maintenance have further fueled this shift. Open-source digital library software offers free access alongside reliable functionality, making it an appealing option. Selecting high-quality software is a critical decision in designing a digital library, as it forms the foundation for delivering services. However, the wide range of available options can make the selection process challenging. The key issue lies in clearly defining the library's information requirements and its intended usage. To simplify the decision-making process, we evaluated six widely adopted open-source digital library systems including CDSware, DSpace, Fedora, Greenstone, Keystone, and EPrints. The assessment was based on a checklist comprising eight categories of key criteria. Among these, DSpace emerged as the top performer, followed by Fedora, Greenstone, CDSware, and EPrints. Conversely, Keystone was ranked as the lowest one due to inadequate support for several essential features outlined in the checklist. This study aims to assist decision-makers in selecting and implementing open-source digital library systems effectively in their institutions.

کلیدواژه ها:

content management ، Digital library ، knowledge economy ، Open Source