Koha Is the first integrated library system in the world and is being developed by a large community of users, libraries, specialists and programmers to achieve the technological aims needed by the world’s largest library management systems. To be noted, Koha’s features evolve exponentially to meet the needs of users steadily.

Koha system is compatible with all library sizes and collections. It is a truly integrated library system with advanced capabilities that include the basic and advanced functions that can be provided through an automated system. It has many subsystems such as acquisition and cataloging, patrons and authority control, circulation, serials control, in addition to a robust system for creating reports using ready-made reports or create them using SQL language by accessing database tables directly.

Unique infrastructure:

Koha is a dual-database system that works on two database management systems, one for managing relational database, MYSQL, and the other for full-text database, ZEBRA. This gives the system the ability to enter a very large number of data, up to 10 million records, as well as search the registrations and change search entries.

Supporting international standards:

Koha system is built using standards and protocols that support the compatibility between Koha and other systems. It,

also, supports global standards for library management systems such as the MARC21 – Z39.50. The system supports SIP II, which is compatible with RFID, as well as it supports Internet protocols and techniques used – XHTML – CSS – Java scripts.

Benefiting from and cooperating with external sources:

Koha allows access to large bibliographic databases, such as the Library of Congress, and coping bibliographic records without the need to enter record data. Additionally, it can be the source of bibliographic records using z39.50 standard

Flexibility:

Each library can select the work parameters on the system and decide the policies of work, such as the identification of item types, patron types and divide them according to the desire of the library, in addition to deciding circulation policies and rules for each library a

nd other policies for subsystems. Moreover, the system supports management of more than one library on same server.

Users Services:

Koha system provides a range of unique services to users through the online catalog, in terms of the possibilities of searching for the library resources, booking and renewing the resources, following up the fines and library messages through his account on the online catalog, in addition to emailing the library and sending purchase suggestions.

Usage rights:

The use or support is not restricted to a specific supplier of the system and the system is available free of charge for installation by the library or by system specialists, or they can buy setup and processing services support or develop jobs from any of the companies or service providers. The library has the right to change companies to support and export their data anytime according to the contracts between them.

Koha community website:

https://Koha-community.org/