THE SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL ON THEORY AND PRACTICE OF LIBRARIANSHIP
ISSN 2217-5563
 

Novi broj


Ivica Lazarević
Narodna biblioteka „Radislav Nikčević”, Jagodina
lazarevic.ivica@gmail.com


Software for Organizing Digital Collections − SOFKA


Summary
This paper presents development of the original software SOFКА on which the Digital Library of Jagodina is based. It describes standard software components that constitute the basis of the system and specific engineering solutions that distinguish this application from the other applications of the same kind. The software consists of several independent subsystems. Goal in the development of each of them was to make the content of the library digital collections and the books from the library bookshelves accessible to users as much as possible. While planning and designing the system, it was necessary to take into account a number of limiting factors. In this paper we present the compromises made during the construction of the software, as well as possibilities for future system improvements and upgrades. The paper advocates the thesis that libraries should have full control over the programs they use, in order to be able to respond to the growing specific demands of users. In this regard, libraries should use open source software wherever it is possible and employ competent qualified professionals. In-house development provides greater ability to adapt to external system requirements and user needs, compared to closed source solutions. Among other things, the specificity of this system is communication with the COBISS, which provides a more productive work of librarians. Communication with the OPAC simplifies the development of subsystems for generating metadata and thanks to that, this application can be included into any national or international system of digital libraries.

Keywords:
SOFKA, digitization, collections, software, design, programming, indexing, open source software, web applications, databases, full-text search, electronic catalogues



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