1. Powerful utilization of open source software in digital preservation, maintenance and utilization: an example of the creation of Union Catalogue of Serials for Astronomy Libraries in India
Sanjay Dongare
Scientific Information Resource Centre ,
National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (TIFR)

2. Presentation will cover
What is Open Source Software?
Need for Open Source Software.
Features of Open Source Software
Concept of Union Catalogue of Serials
Application of Open Source in Creating Union Catalogue of Serials Subscribed in Astronomy Libraries.
Conclusion

3. What is Open Source Software?
Open Source Software is , software that users have the ability to run, distribute, study, and modify the program for any purpose.

4. Need for Open Source Software
Cost of commercial software's is very high.
Commercial developers do not reveal the source code of their program.
You can modify the software to your specific needs.
Reduced dependence on software vendors (no forced updates or license renewal purchase)
Global collaboration with skilled developers.

5. History of Open Source Software
1984 Richard Stallman formed Free Software Foundation ( FSF)
1991 Linus Torvalds developed Linux
1994 Red Hat company founded.
1998 “Open Source Initiative” was formed

6. Features of Open Source Software
Historically evolved from free software.
Open source grants 4 freedom ( run, study, distribute and modify ).
Open Source initiative license (OSI).

7. Concept of Union Catalogue
The concept of a Union Catalogue is based on a model of co-operation between a group of libraries wishing to build a common infrastructure.  Major points for the establishment of a central Union Catalogue are:  
Resource sharing between the libraries
Central access point for users
Platform for service co-operation, such as interlibrary loan
Platform for agreement of bibliographic standards
Efficient management

8. Prominent Union Catalogues in India
NUCSSI : National Union Catalogue of Scientific Serials in India by NISCAIR
IndCat : Online Union Catalogue of Indian Universities by INFLIBNET
CSIR Libraries Union Catalogue of Serials
Union Catalogue of Biomedical Serials by Indian Medlars Centre.
MYLIBNET's :Union list of Science and Technological serials of S & T libraries in Mysore city.

9. Union Catalogue of Serials for Astronomy Libraries in India
Technologies used :
Operating System: Linux
Scripting Language: PHP
RDBMS : MySql
Webserver : Apache
Methodology :
Data Collection
Data Organization

10. Union Catalogue Features
Web-based OPAC.
Multifaceted search engine.
Secure Login Script.
Web-based data entry form.
Online Update/Delete facility to central database

11. Screenshots

12. Findings
This Union Catalogue fulfills the objectives for which it was developed.
Since this catalogue is developed with the use of Open Source tools it can be extended successfully for other libraries.
With increased participation it is possible to have union catalogue of serials published in other libraries.
We are ready to extend this service for other libraries and if we receive data from other libraries we will add those records as well.

13. Online Demo of Union Catalogue of Scientific Serials Available in Astronomy library

14. Conclusion
Open Source Software have been found very useful in various library operations. Libraries can make use of open source software for managing digital contents effectively as well as providing different online services.

15. _________________________________ Thank You
__________________________________
Sanjay Dongare
GMRT-NCRA