Open Source Software at the Archives

Before entering my studies at FIS I had no idea what open source software was. Several of my classes have introduced these programs and the concept behind them as well as how they could be used in a library setting. My interest is whether these programs would have the same utility for an archive. Open source software has been explained to have a customer service orientation to it, its openness allows it to be continually improved for user benefit. Arguably a primary function of libraries and archives is customer service and thus a program that they would own, operate, update and control would seem to best serve their clients' needs. However, open source software programs have a high-learning curve and less support than proprietary software meaning the archives would have to facilitate all the training and ongoing support themselves and that might not be practical for all institutions. So, although archives and their users might benefit from open source software to run databases or email service the practical cost might be too high, particularly for small institutions. Its too early in the game though to say for certain that it is impossible, particularly given I have done little research on the programs themselves or whether there are archives in the world that use such programs. Luckily I am about to start a open source software evaluation project. Stay tuned for my results.