Open Source Software

Want some free software, I mean--really free?  Easy to install on your computer, easy to use, and no cost to you ?  First, you should go pick up a copy of Casey Bisson's Open-Source Software for Libraries, but then you should read this lengthy article by Eric Hebert: How Open Source Can Improve Our Library. 

Hebert goes through a practical list of free options available as substitutes for pricey things libraries usually buy.  Try Firefox instead of Internet Explorer, Open Office instead of Microsoft Office, Thunderbird instead of Outlook, PDF Creator instead of Adobe Acrobat (full version for PDF creating), Ubuntu instead of Windows, on and on. 

But he also details some other software out there that may not be a replacement, but just an addition to your software list.  Maybe you can't afford Photoshop.  No problem, try GIMP (unfortunately named).  Never installed video editing software because of the cost?  Try Avidemux.   Really...there are lots of wonderful resources listed in this article -- it is definitely worth your time.

Open source is not a scary thing.  It's as easy as installing any other software - just click a few buttons, click-through an agreement...you're good to go.  And open source is necessary in libraries.  Don't just think about your staff computers, but about your public computers too.  Wouldn't you love to offer photo and video editing software for all of your users? :)