Migration from VTLS to KOHA Library Application Software in Ahmadu Bello University Library Complex: Reasons, Challenges and the Success Story

Providing an overview of automation project and ILS migrations in Ahmadu Bello University Library, the paper highlights reasons and challenges faced during the various switch over processes. Although the VTLS served the library very well, the rising cost of the software associated with the increase in exchange rate necessitated the library to immigrate from the software. The paper also discusses the critical challenge of data/record retrieval from VTLS to KOHA and how the university library system librarians were able to achieve that without losing any data/record. The paper concludes that the exercise have not only been worthwhile but successful. Apart from empowering library staff with additional skills and knowledge, the migration led to increase in the number of records in the library management system and provides remote access to library holdings via the Web leading to resources sharing and collaboration with other university libraries using KOHA nationally and globally.

Keywords: Migration, VTLS, KOHA, Library Application Software, Ahmadu Bello University Library, ILS.