INS2701 Assignment 1
Semester 2 Memo
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Due 15 August 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, Question 1
1.1 How FOSS can bridge the digital divide
Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) can be a transformative solution for libraries in
developing countries, helping to bridge the digital divide by addressing the financial and
accessibility barriers to digital resources. Here's how FOSS can help, with practical examples:
1. Cost-Effectiveness and Sustainability: FOSS eliminates the high licensing costs associated
with proprietary software. This allows the library to reallocate its limited budget to other critical
needs like hardware upgrades, internet connectivity, or staff training.
Example: Instead of paying for a commercial Integrated Library System (ILS) like
Millennium or Sierra, the library can adopt an open-source ILS like Koha. Koha provides
all the essential functionalities, including cataloging, circulation, serials management, and
an online public access catalog (OPAC), at no software cost. The money saved can be
used to purchase more books or provide more computers for the public.
2. Increased Access to Digital Resources: FOSS can facilitate access to e-books, journals, and
other digital archives without the restrictive and expensive subscription models of proprietary
platforms.
Example: The library can set up an institutional repository using open-source software
like DSpace or Fedora Commons. Researchers and students can deposit their work
(theses, research papers) in this repository, making it freely available to the community.
This creates a local, accessible digital archive that bypasses the need for expensive
journal subscriptions. The library can also use open-source content management systems
(CMS) like WordPress or Joomla to create a user-friendly website that hosts links to
open-access journals and educational resources.
3. Customization and Local Relevance: FOSS provides the flexibility to modify and adapt the
software to meet the specific needs of the library and its community. This is crucial in a
developing country context where standardized, proprietary solutions may not address local
linguistic or cultural needs.
Example: The library can customize the Koha interface to display information in local
languages. This makes the OPAC more accessible to a wider range of patrons who may
not be fluent in English. They can also develop custom modules to manage unique local
collections, such as oral histories or local government documents.
4. Enhanced Research and Collaboration: FOSS tools can empower students and researchers
by providing them with powerful and free alternatives to expensive proprietary software.
Example: For statistical analysis, students can use R or Python with libraries like
NumPy and Pandas, which are free alternatives to commercial software like SPSS or
Stata. The library can offer workshops on these FOSS tools. For creating and managing
bibliographies, Zotero is an excellent open-source reference management tool that can be
integrated with web browsers and word processors.
Semester 2 Memo
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Due 15 August 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, Question 1
1.1 How FOSS can bridge the digital divide
Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) can be a transformative solution for libraries in
developing countries, helping to bridge the digital divide by addressing the financial and
accessibility barriers to digital resources. Here's how FOSS can help, with practical examples:
1. Cost-Effectiveness and Sustainability: FOSS eliminates the high licensing costs associated
with proprietary software. This allows the library to reallocate its limited budget to other critical
needs like hardware upgrades, internet connectivity, or staff training.
Example: Instead of paying for a commercial Integrated Library System (ILS) like
Millennium or Sierra, the library can adopt an open-source ILS like Koha. Koha provides
all the essential functionalities, including cataloging, circulation, serials management, and
an online public access catalog (OPAC), at no software cost. The money saved can be
used to purchase more books or provide more computers for the public.
2. Increased Access to Digital Resources: FOSS can facilitate access to e-books, journals, and
other digital archives without the restrictive and expensive subscription models of proprietary
platforms.
Example: The library can set up an institutional repository using open-source software
like DSpace or Fedora Commons. Researchers and students can deposit their work
(theses, research papers) in this repository, making it freely available to the community.
This creates a local, accessible digital archive that bypasses the need for expensive
journal subscriptions. The library can also use open-source content management systems
(CMS) like WordPress or Joomla to create a user-friendly website that hosts links to
open-access journals and educational resources.
3. Customization and Local Relevance: FOSS provides the flexibility to modify and adapt the
software to meet the specific needs of the library and its community. This is crucial in a
developing country context where standardized, proprietary solutions may not address local
linguistic or cultural needs.
Example: The library can customize the Koha interface to display information in local
languages. This makes the OPAC more accessible to a wider range of patrons who may
not be fluent in English. They can also develop custom modules to manage unique local
collections, such as oral histories or local government documents.
4. Enhanced Research and Collaboration: FOSS tools can empower students and researchers
by providing them with powerful and free alternatives to expensive proprietary software.
Example: For statistical analysis, students can use R or Python with libraries like
NumPy and Pandas, which are free alternatives to commercial software like SPSS or
Stata. The library can offer workshops on these FOSS tools. For creating and managing
bibliographies, Zotero is an excellent open-source reference management tool that can be
integrated with web browsers and word processors.
