Alternatives to Evergreen

Koha is the world's first free and open-source integrated library system (ILS), originally developed in New Zealand in 1999. Named after a Māori word meaning "gift" or "contribution," Koha has grown into a mature, enterprise-class library management system used by thousands of libraries worldwide.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Cataloging:

  • Full MARC21 and UNIMARC support
  • Authority record management
  • Z39.50/SRU client for record importing
  • Batch import and export capabilities
  • Duplicate detection and merging
  • Fast cataloging workflows

• Circulation Management:

  • Patron registration and management
  • Check-out and check-in operations
  • Holds and reserves system
  • Fine and fee management
  • Renewal notifications
  • Offline circulation for network outages

• Acquisitions System:

  • Purchase order creation and management
  • Vendor and supplier management
  • Budget allocation and tracking
  • Receiving and invoice processing
  • Claiming and order tracking
  • EDI integration capabilities

• Serials Management:

  • Subscription management
  • Issue prediction and tracking
  • Claiming for missing issues
  • Routing lists for periodicals
  • Binding and preservation tracking
  • Subscription renewal management

• Public Access Catalog (OPAC):

  • Modern, responsive web interface
  • Advanced search capabilities
  • Patron self-service features
  • Social features (reviews, tags, lists)
  • Multi-language support
  • Mobile-optimized interface

• Reporting & Analytics:

  • Built-in guided report wizard
  • Custom SQL report creation
  • Statistical reports and dashboards
  • Circulation and collection statistics
  • Patron activity reports
  • Automated report scheduling

• Administrative Tools:

  • Multi-branch/multi-library support
  • Granular user permissions
  • System preference management
  • News and announcement system
  • Holiday and calendar management
  • Label and barcode printing

• Integration & Standards:

  • REST API for third-party integrations
  • SIP2 protocol support
  • LDAP authentication
  • Single sign-on (SSO) capabilities
  • Standard library protocols
  • Plugin architecture for extensions

Technical Specifications

• Backend: Perl with Template Toolkit
• Database: MySQL or MariaDB
• Web Server: Apache HTTP Server
• Frontend: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, Bootstrap
• Operating System: Linux, Unix-like systems
• Standards: MARC21, UNIMARC, Z39.50, SRU, SIP2, OAI-PMH

RERO ILS is a next-generation integrated library system developed by the RERO (Réseau des bibliothèques de Suisse occidentale) consortium in Switzerland. Designed from the ground up as a modern, cloud-native solution, it focuses on serving library networks and consortiums with advanced collaborative features and a contemporary user experience.

Key Features

• Modern Architecture:

  • Built with Python and Flask framework
  • Angular-based responsive frontend
  • Elasticsearch for powerful search capabilities
  • Docker containerization for easy deployment
  • Microservices architecture
  • RESTful API design

• Consortial Focus:

  • Multi-library and multi-tenant support
  • Shared catalog management
  • Inter-library loan facilitation
  • Consortial policy management
  • Resource sharing capabilities
  • Centralized vs. distributed operations

• Advanced Cataloging:

  • Full MARC21 support with RDA compliance
  • Authority record management
  • Linked data readiness (JSON-LD)
  • Batch import and export capabilities
  • Duplicate detection and merging
  • Professional cataloging interface

• Circulation Services:

  • Comprehensive patron management
  • Flexible loan policies
  • Advanced request and hold system
  • Fine and fee management
  • Automated notification system
  • Self-service capabilities

• Acquisitions Management:

  • Purchase order workflow
  • Vendor and supplier management
  • Budget allocation and tracking
  • Receipt and invoice processing
  • Claiming and order monitoring
  • Financial reporting

• Public Discovery Interface:

  • Modern, intuitive OPAC design
  • Faceted search and filtering
  • Advanced search capabilities
  • Patron self-service portal
  • Mobile-responsive design
  • Accessibility compliance (WCAG)

• Administrative Tools:

  • Role-based access control
  • Flexible configuration management
  • Comprehensive reporting system
  • Real-time system monitoring
  • Multi-language support
  • Customizable workflows

• Integration & Standards:

  • REST API for third-party integrations
  • Standard library protocols support
  • LDAP and SSO authentication
  • OAI-PMH for metadata harvesting
  • SIP2 protocol compatibility
  • Modern web standards compliance

Technical Specifications

• Backend: Python with Flask and Invenio framework
• Frontend: Angular with TypeScript
• Database: PostgreSQL
• Search Engine: Elasticsearch
• Deployment: Docker and Kubernetes
• Operating System: Linux (containerized)
• Standards: MARC21, RDA, JSON-LD, OAI-PMH, SIP2

Unique Advantages

• Cloud-Native Design: Built for modern infrastructure with containerization and microservices
• Consortial Excellence: Specifically designed for library networks and resource sharing
• Modern UX: Contemporary user interface design for both staff and patrons
• Scalability: Designed to handle large-scale operations and high transaction volumes
• Future-Ready: Prepared for linked data and semantic web technologies