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VuFind Rocks the House
July 19, 2007

Andrew Nagy announced today on code4lib the open source release of their OPAC-killer called VuFind. There is much to like about the software, including a very clean design, faceted browsing of search results, and snappy response times. Even if your library isn't in the market to replace your current catalog with a useable search tool, simply taking a good look at the design decisions is worthwhile.

The web site states: "The goal of VuFind is to enable your users to search and browse through all of your library's resources by replacing the traditional OPAC to include:

• Catalog Records
• Digital Library Items
• Institutional Repository
• Institutional Bibliography
• Other Library Collections and Resources

VuFind is completely modular so you can implement just the basic system, or all of components. And since it's open source, you can modify the modules to best fit your need or you can add new modules to extend your resource offerings."

It runs on Solr, which has taken the library development community by storm. So much so that the one-day workshop on Solr that preceded the 2007 Code4Lib Conference was beyond standing room only. VuFind is but one of several OPAC-replacement projects underway using Solr.

Time will tell, but the installation instructions look dead easy for anyone with a modicum of tech-savviness and the authorization to install software on a Unix machine somewhere (even just a MacBook). Since it's open source, the only cost is time. Who knows? In a matter of a few hours you might be able to show your library director a highly usable interface to your library holdings. Now wouldn't that be cool?

Posted by Roy Tennant on July 19, 2007 | Comments (1)