%0 Journal Article %J Open Source Business Resource %D 2008 %T Is Open Source Right for your Library? %A Carl Grant %X We all know that feeling in our gut, that moment when it?s time to sign the order for a new software program for your library. It's accompanied by a host of nagging questions: "Is it the right decision?" "Have we overlooked anything?" "Will this work?" "Have we considered all our options?" The decision to acquire or upgrade a library automation package is never an easy one and every director, when faced with this decision, wants to choose the best package at the best value that most fully meets the needs of users. Today, that decision is complicated by a new option, that of open source. This article will examine when and why open source software (OSS) might be appropriate for your library. It also discusses why so many libraries are moving towards OSS and some of the disadvantages that you should be aware of should you decide to move in that direction. %B Open Source Business Resource %I Talent First Network %C Ottawa %8 08/2008 %G eng %U http://timreview.ca/article/177 %N August 2008 %9 Articles %1 CARE Affiliates Carl Grant is a librarian who has worked in libraries, or companies automating libraries, for many years. Recently he founded CARE Affiliates, a company specializing in open source solutions for libraries. Mr. Grant has a demonstrated commitment to libraries, librarianship, and industry standards having served on the Board of the National Information Standards library (NISO) as a Board Member, Treasurer, and Chair. He is also a member of ALA, LITA, ACRL and ERT. Library Journal has previously recognized him as an ?Industry Notable?. Mr. Grant holds a Master's in Information and Library Science from the University of Missouri at Columbia.