We were recently researching PC and Print Management systems in hopes of finding that one, great low-cost, open-source solution. We didn’t find it, but remain optimistic that someone, somewhere is working on this for librarians everywhere!
Until then, I thought I would share what we did discover and what some of the other libraries in NEKLS are using for PC and print management.
We have libraries in our system who use the following proprietary solutions for print and pc management:
Ottawa uses the lower-cost version of Envisonware, Bonner Springs uses Vendprint and Tonganoxie uses Cybrarian. If asked, they will tell you how much each solution is costing their library.
Mickey shared another lead from a company he spoke with at ALA - ALPS.
I also stumbled upon a pertinent TechSoup article, Recipes for a 5-Star Library – Meal Plan 5: ‘We’re Booked Through January’ PC Reservation/Time Management Software (.pdf). Our very own Brenda hosted the online discussion in July 2008.
PC and print management is an underdeveloped area in the Open Source world, as far as we can tell. Userful has apparently released an open source product for PC reservations called Pre-Book, that you can read more about in this article from networkworld.com. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include print management.
Amy Begg De Groff told us about Groovix in Howard County, but this solution would be a radical shift from Microsoft to Linux.
Additional Open source solutions for libraries (everything from pc management to koha) can be found at this libsuccess.org wiki.
So, what solution have you found? Share!
-Sharon
Here’s just a few articles I’ve stumbled upon recently. At the end of this list are links to websites that list a variety of open source software, organized in several ways, including alternatives to commercial product, operating system type (Mac and PC), and software category.