Author | Lightnews

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 7d

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

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 11d

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...

AI Wars - The Libraries Fight Back

Open Fifth explains how library management systems are fending off the AI bot attacks… for now.

www.cilip.org.uk

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 13d

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!

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Oct 2

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...

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Sep 25

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...

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

openfifth.co.uk

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Sep 24

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 @openfifth.bsky.social · Sep 24

📢 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...

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

openfifth.co.uk

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Sep 22

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 📔

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.

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Sep 12

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 👋

"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"

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Aug 28

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...

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

openfifth.co.uk

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Aug 27

"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...

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.

openfifth.co.uk

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Aug 19

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

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Aug 18

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

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...

informationprofessionaljobs.com

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Aug 14

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

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

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Aug 11

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...

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.

openfifth.co.uk

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Aug 5

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=...

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Jul 28

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 [email protected].

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Jul 28

📢 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...

Webinar - Introducing Archives: AToM Archival description & access software

Free lunchtime, 30 minute bi-monthly webinars covering topics on open source, LMS and the community

www.eventbrite.com

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Jul 16

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...

Relationship counselling

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

www.cilip.org.uk

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Jul 10

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...

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

www.eventbrite.com

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Jul 3

🖥️ 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...

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Jul 3

This month we have free webinars on accessibility for Koha LMS and Aspen Discovery, as well an overview of how you can customise your library's Koha OPAC. Register via Eventbrite to attend.
www.eventbrite.com/cc/open-fift...

Open Fifth Events

These are events Open Fifth is running in the future.

www.eventbrite.com

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Jul 1

Agenda and guest speakers announced for the Open Fifth 'Library Open Source Software Shared Practice and Experience Forum' on 7 August! Learn from the community about what open source library software can do for your library - openfifth.co.uk/event/7-augu...

open source library software event

Open Fifth invites non-customers across all sectors to join us for an afternoon of learning and exchange all about open source library software from our wonderful customer community.

openfifth.co.uk

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Jun 30

We're so thrilled to welcome @heythroplib.bsky.social to the Koha community as an Open Fifth customer after their LMS launched last week. Check out their article about using Koha to modernise the management of their collection and improve access for users.

Heythrop Library @heythroplib.bsky.social · Jun 27

Thanks to @openfifth.bsky.social and the funding by @jesuitsbritain.bsky.social we are now using Koha as our new library management system. Explore this more: www.jesuit.org.uk/news/a-new-c...
and heythroplibrary.co.uk/changing-the...
and
search.heythroplibrary.co.uk (our new online catalogue).

A new chapter for Heythrop Library: system upgrade enhances access and service | Jesuits in Britain

The system has gone live today, 26 June 2025

www.jesuit.org.uk

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Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · Jun 26

The Open Fifth team have reviewed the books, TV shows, games and events that have been keeping us busy throughout June. This month's special 'What's on our shelves' edition is packed with works focused on LGBTQ+ creators, narratives and events - and much more openfifth.co.uk/whats-on-our...

WOOSH Our June 2025 book, performance, TV 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

openfifth.co.uk

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