Koha Malaysia Blog

University Technology MARA has open up to Open Source Integrated Library System. This is being reflected by adoption of Koha as their experimental library ILS at Faculty of Information Management. The purpose of the experimental library is to exposed library science under graduate students to the practice of ILS, library automation and applying various library knowledge and skills in a computerized environment. The adoption also open up opportunities to the students to explore and doing research.

“We aimed to produce librarian with greater technology strength and skills, which is more technological independent, brave and will become technology inventor in the future. Open source is just a start”, said one lecturer.

The experimental library OPAC is accessible at http://koha.uitm.edu.my.

What is so special about IQ Trengganu?  Back in mid-year 2008, when we’re still hunting for the first KOHA site. It looks like we goes nowhere when most of the libraries have their good reasons to decline KOHA.  Until one day, I travel along the way from KL to Kuala Trengganu, its 5 hours driving to cover some 500 km (It was a night trip & night driving is not an easy job, at least i save some money for hotel) .  Yes I have presentation to deliver, this time to Institute al-Quran Library (http://iqt.terengganu.gov.my)    To deliver presentation is no big deal for me, since this is just a routine job.   I’m ever ready to face the board .  Presentation normally takes around two hours to finish.  The presentation format is simple, the first part is explanation the concept of KOHA – integrated library system while the second part is the demos on KOHA modules, including some Q & A before closing with “coffee talk”.     The skepticism relating to Open Source is obstacle to market KOHA.   As I trust to myself at doing works, especially related to libraries, since I have 25 years of working experience in this field, I always put negative things aside, and deep inside my heart there is hope “this is the beginning of KOHA in Malaysia”.  Things are falls apart,  the body language & circumstances has no favour sign for KOHA.   What was in my mind is I have to check-out from hotel and have another 5-6 hours to travel back to KL.   This time my assumption goes wrong, things has changed, KOHA bubble has burst, KOHA get first ever site after the IQ director don’t take much time to decide for KOHA to get installed in his college.  Many thanks to College Director Ustaz Aziz and staff especially Nashriq Hakeem for giving us the FIRST opportunity  for KOHA to spread their wings and get more strength and confidence!