Digital transformation of Central Library of Dhi Qar University: Koha system Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

From the standpoint of social science and society at large, artificial intelligence has already transcended all previous boundaries. The latest long wave of human socioeconomic development is digital technology, with its ubiquitous connectivity and potent artificial intelligence. Undoubtedly, the university library serves as the center of academic activity inside the institution, which may have made it necessary for libraries to adopt the usage of contemporary ICT in order to satisfy patron needs. Libraries and information centers face the difficult challenge of updating their cataloguing and categorization systems in the quickly changing digital age in order to satisfy user requests and guarantee the effective arrangement and retrieval of information resources.
An open source integrated library system (ILS) called Koha has become a potent instrument for libraries looking to transform their administration procedures. This case study examines the advantages, difficulties, and lessons discovered during the Dhi Qar University Central Library's transformational journey to the Koha system. The research adopted the descriptive analytical approach, as it is the most suitable for studying library management systems and analyzing their technical and functional capabilities, through describing the Koha system and its characteristics, analyzing its suitability to the university library environment, and comparing the university library's needs with the system's capabilities. Data collection relied on direct observation and interviews conducted with the library director and the IT manager to understand the administrative and technical vision regarding the implementation of the system. The study's conclusions demonstrated and identified a number of issues, such as inadequate money, personnel retraining and training, network outages, a lack of stationery for providing cataloguing worksheets, and a culture of poor computer upkeep. The study suggested that staff members receive proper ICT training and retraining, learn how to use Open Source Software (OSS), solve network issues to prevent network outages, and diversify their funding sources.