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History of KOHA

Koha is an open-source Integrated Library System (ILS) developed in 1999 to provide libraries with a customizable alternative to proprietary systems. Over the years, it has evolved through numerous releases, enhancing features such as cataloging, circulation, and cloud hosting, while gaining global adoption among various types of libraries. By 2023, Koha has become one of the most widely used open-source ILS platforms, supported by a large community of developers and users.

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19 views4 pages

History of KOHA

Koha is an open-source Integrated Library System (ILS) developed in 1999 to provide libraries with a customizable alternative to proprietary systems. Over the years, it has evolved through numerous releases, enhancing features such as cataloging, circulation, and cloud hosting, while gaining global adoption among various types of libraries. By 2023, Koha has become one of the most widely used open-source ILS platforms, supported by a large community of developers and users.

Uploaded by

Shaan Bihari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Koha is an open-source Integrated Library System (ILS), used by libraries around the

world for managing their collections, patrons, circulation, and cataloging processes.
Here's a step-by-step history of Koha, year by year:

1999: Birth of Koha

• Origin: Koha was initially developed by a New Zealand library called


Horowhenua Library Trust, under the leadership of Paul Poulain and Katipo
Communications.

• The idea was to create an open-source alternative to proprietary ILS systems, to


help libraries with the challenges of managing their services.

• The name "Koha" is derived from the Maori word for a gift or donation,
symbolizing the open-source nature of the project.

2000: First Release

• Koha 1.0: Koha was officially released as a full product in January 2000.

• This release was a pioneering effort as it was the first ILS to be released under an
open-source license, which set it apart from traditional proprietary systems.

2001: Initial Development and Expansion

• Koha began to grow beyond its roots in New Zealand, and several libraries
worldwide started adopting the system. The open-source nature meant that
libraries could customize the system to fit their unique needs.

2002-2004: Early Growth

• Development continued with improvements to the user interface, cataloging,


circulation, and acquisition features.

• Libraries in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and India began
using Koha.

• Koha 2.0 was released around this time, with added features like OPAC (Online
Public Access Catalog), a more robust search interface, and better handling of
multiple languages.

2005: Koha Community and Collaborative Development


• The development of Koha became more collaborative as libraries and developers
from different countries and organizations contributed code and improvements.

• Koha 3.0 introduced more sophisticated features and support for MARC
(Machine-Readable Cataloging) standards.

• The Koha Community formed, focusing on user-driven development,


documentation, and support.

2006: The First Koha Conference

• The first Koha International Conference was held in New Zealand, bringing
together library professionals and developers. This event cemented Koha's place
in the global library community.

2007: Commercial Support and Further Developments

• Commercial support options emerged as companies began offering services for


Koha implementations, helping libraries with training, installation, and
maintenance.

• Koha 3.2 was released with additional features, bug fixes, and improved stability.

2008: Koha Adoption in Large Libraries

• Koha was increasingly adopted by larger libraries, including academic and


national libraries.

• In 2008, the National Library of India implemented Koha for some of its
regional libraries.

2009: Major Milestones

• Koha 3.6 was released, bringing in major enhancements for circulation,


reporting, and search functionalities.

• The Koha community continued to grow, with more contributions coming from
different parts of the world.

• Koha was also integrated with other systems, such as digital library tools and
authentication systems.

2010: Enhanced Features and International Growth

• The development of Koha 3.8 added improvements in usability, cataloging, and


data migration tools.

• Koha’s use continued to grow internationally, with a significant increase in the


adoption of the system in Europe and Latin America.
2011: Major Improvements and New Features

• Koha 3.10 was released with added features like support for multiple languages,
better integration with external systems, and enhanced user management tools.

• Koha’s official website became a hub for libraries to connect and share
resources, making it easier to access documentation and training materials.

2012: Full-Scale Adoption and Continuous Improvement

• Koha saw further widespread adoption by public, academic, and special libraries.

• The release of Koha 3.12 featured significant improvements in user interface,


reporting, and integrations with RFID systems for easier circulation management.

2013-2015: Scaling for Larger Libraries

• Koha saw updates such as Koha 3.14, which included better inventory
management and support for additional bibliographic formats.

• The Koha community continued to expand with more developers contributing to


the codebase.

2016: Growing Presence in the Cloud

• Koha 16.05 was released, marking a shift toward cloud-based solutions.

• Cloud hosting allowed libraries to access Koha as a software-as-a-service, which


helped streamline deployment and maintenance.

• The use of Koha in large academic libraries continued to grow.

2017-2019: Continued Expansion and New Features

• Koha 17.05, 18.05, and 19.05 were released, bringing enhancements like better
integration with external systems, including Open URL resolvers, Google
Analytics, and e-book management tools.

• Internationalization continued to be a focus, with better support for non-Latin


alphabets and localizations in multiple languages.

2020-2022: Advancing in a Digital-First World

• As libraries adapted to digital-first environments, Koha’s adoption accelerated,


especially with the need for remote access and integrated digital resources.

• Koha 20.11 focused on improving the platform’s ability to integrate with third-
party tools, including digital asset management systems and resource sharing
tools.
• Koha 21.05, released in 2021, introduced enhanced cataloging features, support for
MARC and RDA standards, and better data export tools.

2023-2025: Koha Today

• By 2023, Koha had grown into one of the most widely used open-source ILS
platforms globally.

• New releases, including Koha 22.05 and 23.05, continue to improve upon the
system’s core features, with increased cloud hosting capabilities, enhanced API
support, and better mobile access for both library staff and users.

Koha continues to be maintained and developed by a large global community of


developers, libraries, and organizations. The growth and success of Koha can be
attributed to its open-source model, continuous improvement based on user feedback,
and the ever-expanding community that supports it.

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