The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has released Open Source Software, SPEC Kit 340, which investigates ARL member libraries' adoption and/or development of open source software (OSS) for functions such as integrated library system (ILS), discovery layer, electronic resource management, interlibrary loan, digital asset management, institutional repository, course reserve, streaming media, study room scheduler, digital preservation, publishing, floor maps, data warehouse, or other library-related purposes. This SPEC Kit explores research libraries' policies and practices on open sourcing their code, the frequency with which research libraries contribute to open source projects, whether research libraries are reluctant to make their code openly available, and the most common benefits and challenges encountered when research libraries open source their code.
This SPEC Kit includes examples of OSS contributor agreements, licenses, copyright notices, job descriptions, and organisation charts.
The SPEC Kit Collection provides online access to all titles published from 2006 to the present (SPEC Kit 292– ).
