Koha : The First Open Source ILS

Koha is the first open-source Integrated Library System (ILS). In use worldwide, its development is steered by a growing community of libraries collaborating to achieve their technology goals. Koha's impressive feature set continues to evolve and expand to meet the needs of its user base.

Koha Latest

Latest version of Koha 3.0 is currently a RC1 version not recommended for production use it is available for testing purposes / development. Once Koha v 3.0 final is released, it will be available on CD / Free download of ISO enabling single click install of Koha Zoom.

With Koha 3, version numbering has been changed to use a method similar to Perl's:

major.minor[.revision[.build]]

* major: one digit
* minor: two-digit
* revision: two-digit
* build: three-digit

This release of Koha 3.0 RC1 is versioned 3.00.00.092. Every database change or significant enough code change requires an update to the 'build' number, and developers will be able to easily upgrade their systems using the built-in updater.

This release candidate of Koha 3.0 RC1 will be followed by a stable release. Subsequent releases of 3.0 will be bugfix releases, and won't include any new features.

Why Koha?

Full-featured ILS. In use worldwide in libraries of all sizes, Koha is a true enterprise-class ILS with comprehensive functionality including basic or advanced options. Koha includes modules for circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, serials, reserves, patron management, branch relationships, and more. For a comprehensive overview of features visit the Koha feature map.

Dual Database Design. Koha uses a dual database design that utilizes the strengths of the two major industry-standard database types (text-based and RDBMS). This design feature ensures that Koha is scalable enough to meet the transaction load of any library, no matter what the size.

Library Standards Compliant. Koha is built using library standards and protocols that ensure interoperability between Koha and other systems and technologies, while supporting existing workflows and tools.

Web-based Interfaces. Koha's OPAC, circ, management and self-checkout interfaces are all based on standards-compliant World Wide Web technologies--XHTML, CSS and Javascript--making Koha a truly platform-independent solution.

Free / Open Source. Koha is distributed under the open-source General Public License (GPL). More information on the GPL can be found here.

No Vendor Lock-in. It is an important part of the open-source 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 source. For more information about obtaining support visit the support page.

Koha Current

Current version of Koha is 2.2 for production systems.