Atlanta, Ga., June 18, 2024: Equinox Open Library Initiative, a trusted leader in open source technology development and support for libraries, is pleased to announce that the Equinox Open Source Grant for the Center for Khmer Studies (CKS) has been extended for a second three year cycle.
“At the Center for Khmer Studies, we continue to leverage our Koha library management system with the generous support from Equinox Open Library Initiative,” said Sivleng Chhor, Head Librarian at the Center for Khmer Studies. “Our online collection has grown to over 20,000 records and served over 550,000 visitors from all continents. Furthermore, our Koha catalog has been a model for libraries in Cambodia, and our librarians are proud to help train other local librarians on cataloging with Koha.”
The Center for Khmer Studies promotes research, teaching, and public service pertaining to the social sciences, arts, and humanities in Cambodia and the Mekong region. The Center for Khmer Studies not only supports academic researchers but is open to the general public.
Over the last year alone, with the support of the Equinox Open Source Grant, the Center for Khmer Studies saw 111,000 visitors engaged with their online catalog. This is in addition to having Center for Khmer Studies materials appear in Google search results for the first time. This has increased the visibility of the collection around the world and allowed the Center for Khmer Studies to apply for additional grant funding to expand and digitize the collection based on this new demand for its resources.
In 2023, building on their experience with Koha ILS, the Center for Khmer Studies conducted training on library management and cataloging for librarians from the National Museum of Cambodia, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Pehn, and the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum in Siem Reap.
“Before Koha, the Center for Khmer Studies told us that they suffered frequent server crashes, lost data and work, downtime, and limited online access,” said Galen Charlton. “Koha has allowed them the stability to grow, and, here at Equinox, we are happy to continue to collaborate with the Center for Khmer studies as they support researchers around the globe and focus on their patrons and community.”
First launched in 2019, the Equinox Open Source Grant was inspired by the belief that every community deserves to benefit from a searchable, accessible, and thriving library. Information about past grant cycles can be found by visiting: https://www.equinoxoli.org/collaborate/#grant.
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For more information:
Laura Barry
Communications Coordinator
Equinox Open Library Initiative
EquinoxOLI.org
laura.barry@equinoxOLI.org
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About Equinox Open Library Initiative
Equinox Open Library Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is the successor to Equinox Software, Inc. Equinox’s mission as a nonprofit is to promote and support a thriving ecosystem for open source library communities in order to provide libraries worldwide with innovative open source solutions. Equinox is devoted to reducing barriers to library technology and services, expanding library access to open source software, and providing high quality technology, consulting, and support services. To learn more, please visit https://www.equinoxOLI.org.
About Koha ILS
Created in 1999 by Katipo Communications for the Horowhenua Library Trust in New Zealand, Koha Integrated Library System is the first open source Integrated Library System to be used worldwide. For more information on Koha: https://www.equinoxoli.org/products/koha/.