The process of library automation in Central Library, KKHSOU began in 2011 with SOUL 2.0 ILMS (Integrated Library Management System). To give pace the circulation system and theft detection, Central Library of KKHSOU has integrated RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) Technology with the help of Daphne Systems Pvt Ltd from 2014. In 2020, Central Library decided to migrate from SOUL 2.0 to Koha an Open source ILMS. By February, 2021 the whole migration process completed and Centarl Library, KKHSOU has been automated with Koha ILMS.

Nature of the ILMS

In 1999, the Horowhenua Library Trust in New Zealand in collaboration with Katipo Communications developed the Koha ILMS. Koha is the first open source library automation package. In use worldwide, its development is steered by a growing community of users collaborating to achieve their technology goals. It is a web-based ILMS, with a SQL database back end with cataloguing data stored in MARC and accessible via Z39.50 or SRU. The user interface is very configurable and adaptable and has been translated into many languages.

Following are the features of Koha

• Full-featured ILMS. In use worldwide in libraries of all sizes, Koha is a true enterprise-class ILMS with comprehensive functionality including basic and advanced options. Koha includes modules for acquisitions, circulation, cataloguing, serials management, authorities, flexible reporting, label printing, multi-format notices, offline circulation for when Internet access is not available, and much more. Koha will work for consortia of all sizes, multi-branch, and single-branch libraries.
• Multilingual and translatable. Koha has a large number of available languages, with more languages every year.
• Full text searching Powerful searching, and an enhanced catalogue display that can use content from Amazon, Google, LibraryThing, Open Library, and Syndetics, among others.
• Library Standards Compliant. Koha is built using library standards and protocols such as MARC 21, UNIMARC, z39.50, SRU/SW, SIP2, SIP/NCIP, ensuring interoperability between Koha and other systems and technologies, while supporting existing workflows and tools.
• Web-based Interfaces. OPAC, circulation, management and self-checkout interfaces of Koha are all based on standards-compliant World Wide Web technologies-XHTML, CSS and Javascript-making Koha a truly platform-independent solution.
• Free Software / Open Source. Koha is distributed under the Free Software General Public License (GPL) version 3 or later.
• No Vendor Lock-in. It is an important part of the free software promise that there is no vendor lock-in: libraries are free to install and use Koha themselves if the have the in-house expertise or to purchase support or development services from the best available sources. Libraries should be free to change support company and export their data at any time, make sure your support company allows this, it is also important to make sure it uses a good data management system.

Source: https://koha-community.org/about/

The following equipments and machines are available in automation process in the Central Library

• Server 1 nos
• Client PC 2 nos
• Multipurpose Staff Station 1 nos
• Touch Screen Self Check Station 1 Nos
• Touch Screen OPAC Station 1 Nos
• Document printer 1 Nos
• POS Slip Printer 2 Nos