Open Fifth

Image with quote: Carol Giles, Library Services Manager at the MBA, shared: "This was a major upgrading project for our Koha systems at the NMBL and we have been very pleased with the service offered to us by Open Fifth. Their planning, including a full implementation schedule, meetings with both their IT and training staff and lots of post-project support have been incredibly helpful for us.  We look forward to continuing to work with them to support our Koha journey." Open Fifth sales@openfifth.co.uk, www.openfifth.co.uk, 01483 378728

Welcome the Marine Biological Association (MBA, @thembauk.bsky.social) to the Open Fifth community! 🎉 We migrated the MBA's Koha system in December 2025 and will provide ongoing hosting and support services to ensure their success in supporting these collections into the future

NAG Public Library Project Grant sponsored by Open Fifth central text over open book with cartoons exploding out of it. Side boxes read "open to NAG public library members only" and "Two grants of £1500 available"

The NAG Public Library Project Grant for 2026 is OPEN!
This year, thanks to sponsorship from @openfifth.bsky.social, we have TWO grants of £1500 available for NAG member libraries.
Full info:
nag.org.uk/public-libra...

Delighted to sponsor this year's NAG @uklibrariesnag.bsky.social Public Library Project Grant, can't wait to hear about the recipient's plans. Applications are open until midday 9/Apr, all NAG Public Library Members eligible to apply. More info and inspo from previous projects on NAG's site:

WOOSH Our January 2026 film, book and TV reviews WOOSH is Open Fifth's team 'what's on our shelves' post, where we review what we've been reading, watching and doing throughout the month

What’s on our shelves: An accounting database style guide, the making of evil, and a trip to Porpoise Spit… It's time for the Open Fifth team's monthly book, film and game reviews!

openfifth.co.uk/whats-on-our...

Koha and Aspen Discovery development updates - January 2026 Read highlights on the Koha and Aspen Discovery development updates we’ve been working on, and the developers and libraries behind them

Check out highlights from the Open Fifth team on the #Koha and #AspenDiscovery software developments we’ve been working on, showcasing the developers behind the code and the libraries who make these enhancements possible through their sponsorship and testing

openfifth.co.uk/open-fifth-k...

More information and submission form available on the Aspen community site - community.aspendiscovery.org/AspenCon2026

The AspenCon 2026 logo contest closes this week! Submit your design by 31 January, 11:59 (EST) to be in with a chance of winning a swag bag of conference goodies. Open to all Aspen users / members of the Aspen community, feel free to share

SIP2 configuration module in Koha LMS YouTube video by Open Fifth

Communicating between library devices is easier than ever with the new SIP2 configuration module in #Koha LMS. The module allows configs to be set up and checked from the staff interface without needing server access or terminal knowledge from IT. Find our more from Pedro: youtu.be/014ebqTMsRA?...

This week we welcomed over 50 of our customers from libraries across the UK and beyond to London for a packed day of #opensource library updates, shared learning and networking. Every year the event makes us so proud of the library community we get to be a part of with our customers!

Lauren (@purton.bsky.social) and Helen are kicking off Green Libraries Week at the CILIP Green Libraries Conference 🌱 A fantastic event filled with insightful talks and practical workshops for positive change.

@cilip.bsky.social

AI Wars - The Libraries Fight Back Open Fifth explains how library management systems are fending off the AI bot attacks… for now.

Check out Jonathan Field's CILIP (@cilip.bsky.social) article 'AI Wars - The Libraries Fight Back' for an update on our battle with AI bots, insights into why library catalogues are so highly targeted, and the role of open source and open data in an #AI future.
www.cilip.org.uk/news/news.as...

We had an amazing time in Nashville for AspenCon 2025! There are many things to take away from the conference, but the power of Aspen Discovery as a tool to promote your library, extending the in-person #library experience into online environments, is one that cannot be emphasised enough!

Next month we'll be participating in a HELibTech webinar with Ken Chad on the topic 'Open by default: The role of open source software in building flexible, future-ready higher education libraries'. Join Jonathan, Sam and Andrew on Monday 13th October, 14:00-15:00
www.helibtech.com/helibtech-we...

WOOSH Our September 2025 film, book and TV reviews WOOSH is Open Fifth's team 'what's on our shelves' post, where we review what we've been reading, watching and doing throughout the month

Check out the Open Fifth team's film, book and TV reviews for September! This month's edition features sharks, aliens, nonnas and a sales-beetle, with an unintended but very strong sci-fi theme 🪲

openfifth.co.uk/whats-on-our...

We have a packed agenda this year and are thrilled to welcome Jane Secker to deliver a keynote talk on 'Open Practices, Copyright and the Rise of GenerativeAI: exploring the challenges and opportunities for libraries'.

More info and the agenda available on the event page.

Open Fifth Customer Day 2025 - Open Fifth Customer Days are annual events held by Open Fifth where we invite all customers to join us for a day of networking, sharing practices, workshops and talks

📢 Calling all Open Fifth customers! Registration is open for Customer Day 2025.
We invite our customers to join us for a day of networking, sharing practices, workshops and talks.
📍 Friends House, London, NW1 2BJ
🗓️ 5 November 2025
🕙 10:15 – 16:30
openfifth.co.uk/event/open-f...

Fiona and Lauren standing behind an 'Open Fifth' branded table with 'The Library is Open' banner in background. Against a wall backdrop of old stone.

Fiona @fionaborthwick.bsky.social and Lauren @purton.bsky.social had a great time last week at the London Libraries Conference in the beautiful Guildhall building. We spoke with libraries from across London about open source, Koha, Aspen Discovery - and how our notebooks and stickers are the best 📔

"Poster over a duo-tone image of London. "Open Fifth We're attending the London Libraries Conference. Visit Fiona and Lauren at the Open Fifth stand to talk about open source libraries, demo products, or just to say "hi!" London Libraries Conference 2025, Guildhall, London September"

The London Libraries Conference is next Friday, 19 September! Catch up with Fiona (@fionaborthwick.bsky.social) and Lauren (@purton.bsky.social) at the Open Fifth stand 👋

WOOSH Our August 2025 film, event and game reviews WOOSH is Open Fifth's team 'what's on our shelves' post, where we review what we've been reading, watching and doing throughout the month

The Fantastic Four, a Royal Family weekend, Belgian beer and well written women in horror… It's time to find out what's on the shelves* of the Open Fifth team this August. Read our film, game, and event reviews from the month.
*or screens, bar tabs, schedules...
openfifth.co.uk/whats-on-our...

Koha development - From idea to implementation In this week's WOOM, Martin takes a look at the Koha development community process and how you can all get involved.

"As someone who’s spent years working within the Koha community, I can tell you that being a #Koha library means you’re part of something truly special – a vibrant global community that genuinely shapes the future of library management systems." openfifth.co.uk/whats-on-our...

I think "frogs" is a go-to here! 🐸
-Lauren

Chair, UK Wide LGBTQ+ Chair Role Description Purpose of role: To act as one of the leading officers for the CILIP LGBTQ+ Network. Inform the decisions made to raise awareness and advise Library, Knowledge, and Infor...

The CILIP LGBTQ+ Network is seeking a new Chair!
This key role is your chance to lead, coordinate, connect and represent. Details & how to apply: informationprofessionaljobs.com/jobs/chair-u...
Any questions or fancy an informal chat? Reach out to Dr Beth @drbeth.bsky.social - email in link

Text: Join Open Fifth at AspenCon 2025 | October 8-10 Nashville, TN Registration deadline 15 September

AspenCon25 is landing in Nashville this October! Join in-person or virtually for a packed schedule of presentations, talks and workshops all about Aspen Discovery, the #opensource #library discovery layer. Registration closes 15/Sept. community.aspendiscovery.org/AspenCon2025 #AspenCon25

Open Fifth team recognised for Payroll Giving Open Fifth introduced Payroll Giving, providing all UK-based team members with a new way to make monthly charitable donations.

We are celebrating the team behind Open Fifth for their generous giving: Your continued support makes a real and lasting difference to countless good causes 💚 Their generosity has been recognised by Charities Trust with the Gold APGO Payroll Giving Quality Mark - openfifth.co.uk/news/payroll...

QR code to subscribe to the Open Fifth mailing list: https://openfifth.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4223af8912173576012a5abe3&id=73a3f48235

Subscribe to the Open Fifth mailing list to stay up to date with us and our #opensource #library news and how-tos! Our next newsletter will land in subscriber inboxes on 19/August 🗞️

openfifth.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

Helen Symington will show us around AToM, designed for scalability and flexibility, it supports multilingual content, hierarchical data structures, and highly customisable themes.

Want to learn more about AToM? Reach out to helen.symington@openfifth.co.uk.

Webinar - Introducing Archives: AToM Archival description & access software Free lunchtime, 30 minute bi-monthly webinars covering topics on open source, LMS and the community

📢 Archives - this one’s for you. Join us on 21 August for an intro to AtoM webinar. AToM (Access to Memory) is an open source, web-based app which allows institutions to provide and manage public access to their archival holdings.

21 August | 12:30 - 13:00

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-in...

Relationship counselling Public Libraries and Software Vendors: how to get the most out of the relationship.

Did you spot us in the most recent CILIP newsletter? 👀 Check out our article on how public #libraries and library vendors can work together to get the most out of their relationship, with tips and advice through procurement and beyond. www.cilip.org.uk/news/news.as...

Library Open Source Software Shared Practice and Experience Forum Open Fifth invites non-customers across all sectors to join us for an afternoon of learning and exchange

Library Open Source Software Shared Practice and Experience Forum
🗓️ Thursday 7 August 2025 | 14:00-16:30
📍 Friends House, 173-177 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ

Are you looking for new library software or to learn more about open source? Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/1401230571...

🖥️ 8 July, 12:30–13:00 - Webinar: Accessibility in Koha LMS and Aspen Discovery: The essentials series.

🖥️ 17 July 12:30–13:00 - Webinar: Customising your library’s OPAC: What you can do with Koha...