OpenBiblio in
Georgia
Irakli Garibashvili
Georgian Library Association
Pre-FOSS situation (before
2005)
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Almost no Georgian library had ILS
Those having OPACs, had commercial systems with
problems with Georgian language/script
Main obstacle for having ILS was
 Price – libraries in Georgia still are very poorly
supported
 Local needs – scripts (most of Georgian libraries have
materials at least in 3 scripts – Georgian, Cyrillic,
Latin
Librarians mostly were not aware of MARC standards
and online tools.
OpenBiblio – advantages
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Easy to learn – almost all functions could be
learnt in practice (even beginners do this in 1-2
days)
Easy to install – we make installations on:
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Websites of libraries – PHP/MySQL support
needed
Free hosting servers – most of them provide
environment sufficient for OpenBiblio work
Local computers (for libraries with just several
PCs an no Internet connectivity) – Windows or
UNIX platforms
OpenBiblio – advantages
(cont.)
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Easy interface translation procedure
Openness – free to modify/design PHP code
OpenBiblio - disadvantages

Too simple – lack of functionality (e.g.
no support for URLs in fields, no user
interactivity, no MARC export, no field
indicators, not full MARC21, no
support for UNIMARC)
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New versions add functionality!
Windows platform
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We use additionally a simple PHP/MySQL
server – “Uniserver”. All pack is pre-installed
on a Flash stick and can be just copied to
PC.
Many libraries prefer to start with this option
(PC + intranet on LAN) and later move
database to online server.
This overcomes connectivity problem, but
OPAC is just accessible inside a library (or
school)
Online installation
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Apache/MySQL is a standard for majority of
modern hosts – makes installation very
straightforward (just need to follow
instruction file)
For libraries which do not have websites yet
– variety of free hosting solutions a
possible.
Makes OPAC visible for users everywhere,
but needs good connectivity. Offline
circulation introduced recently!!
Training

During a training we :
 Make final setup together with library staff (names,
opening hours, language, landing rules, fees, types of
materials, collections, etc.)
 Teach all functions (administration permissions are
given to local administrators)
 Make entries together with staff and teaching some
good practices
 Provide ID/Passwords and permissions to staff
members
 Give contact/support data
Samples
Samples – OPAC switched
to Georgian
Samples – search results
Samples – librarian’s
interface
Addons – SRU
search/download from LOC
Sample SRU search
Results – click “Use This”
Advanced “Reports” module
Georgian Library Association
supports OpenBiblio
100 countrywide installations
listed on Association site
OpenBiblio manual in
Georgian
Openbiblio is used in our
training center for introduction
into e-cataloguing
Current situation (since a
launch of FOSS program)
OpenBiblio is installed in more than
100 libraries (schools, colleges,
academic, public,…)
 KOHA is installed in 5 libraries
 Evergreen 2 installations (joint OPAC
of 20 libraries)
 More than 400 librarians received
training
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Links
Georgian Library Association –
www.gela.org.ge
 OpenBiblio page http://www.gela.org.ge/foss/openbiblio
 User Manual (Georgian)
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