Do you need support for Koha installation, the open-source library management system, on your Ubuntu server? Whatever your job may be – librarian, system administrator, or tech enthusiast, we have the right guide for you with our comprehensive guide.
Installing Koha on your system doesn’t need to be, and isn’t a difficult process. Our step-by-step tutorial provides a detailed explanation of the whole procedure, from setting up repositories to configuring your OPAC so that beginners can find it easy to understand. You’ll learn how to:
- Configure your Ubuntu environment correctly
- Set up the MariaDB database
- Install and configure Apache server
- Create your first library instance
- • Access the admin panel and staff client interface
Forget the complicated technical words or overwhelming commands. We’ll make it easy to follow each step and insert actionable commands in-between, thus avoiding the common mistakes and fixing problems one by one.
So you have made up your mind to upgrade your library management system. Then, let’s delve into the process of installation and your Koha instance running.
Understanding Koha: An Open-Source Library Management System
Are you looking to modernize your library’s management system without breaking the bank?
Enter Koha, a powerful open-source library management system that’s revolutionizing how libraries operate worldwide.
Think of Koha as your library’s digital command center. Just like how a smartphone organizes your daily life, Koha organizes your entire library collection.
What makes Koha stand out in the world of library systems?
First, it is a completely free and open-source program. Thus, you will not only get the technology of Goliaths here—you will also be connected with the global authority for librarians and developers who keep upgrading the software.
Think about having a system that can do all the work starting from arranging books on the shelves to the book checkouts, with a comparable level of adaptation to that of your favorite social media profile.
Whether you are a small community library or a university library, Koha is custom-fit to the task as it is a chameleon that easily adapts to the environment.I know you want to know the best part, don’t you?
You don’t have to be a computer pro to use Koha. Its user-friendly interface allows you to manage your library just as comfortably as you would scroll through your favorite website.
System Requirements and Prerequisites
Before starting the installation procedure, let’s make sure your system is ready to be the host of Koha. You can compare the process of system preparation with cooking a fine dish in the kitchen – the right ingredients and tools are a must.
Your ubuntu server has to be in a state conveying the idea of a machine that is properly working, with the needed amount of RAM (not less than 2GB) to run the operations of Koha without interruptions.
Installation Steps:
1. Add Koha Repository:
Before adding repositories update your system packages:
sudo apt update
sudo apt -y install sudo wget gnupgTo prevent installation warnings, add the repository key to your APT trusted keys and update the system again:
wget -q -O- https://debian.koha-community.org/koha/gpg.asc | sudo apt-key add -
wget -qO - https://debian.koha-community.org/koha/gpg.asc | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/koha-keyring.gpg
sudo apt updateYou need to add the Koha Community Repository into your system in order to ensure that you install the most recent Koha stable release.
echo 'deb https://debian.koha-community.org/koha stable main' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/koha.list2. Update and Upgrade Ubuntu
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt clean3. Download and install the latest Koha release
Before proceeding, ensure your Ubuntu system is up-to-date. Now, you can download and install the latest Koha release by using the following command:
sudo apt-get install koha-common4. Server configuration:
After completion of installation open the following file by applying the the code:
sudo nano /etc/koha/koha-sites.confOpen the Koha configuration file for editing:
For your setup, change the following variables as necessary:
e.g: change INTRAOPRT=”8001” (koha admin panel will be accessed through this port)
OPACPORT=”8002” (port to access opac)
# Apache virtual hosts creation variables
DOMAIN=".myDNSname.org"
INTRAPORT="80" # use 8080 for an IP-based install.
INTRAPREFIX=""
INTRASUFFIX="-intra"
OPACPORT="80"
OPACPREFIX=""
OPACSUFFIX=""
# SQL file to load into new instances
DEFAULTSQL=""
# Zebra global configuration variables
ZEBRA_MARC_FORMAT="marc21" # or normarc or unimarc.
ZEBRA_LANGUAGE="en" # match with installation language (e.g. es for Spanish)
BIBLIOS_INDEXING_MODE="dom"
AUTHORITIES_INDEXING_MODE="dom"
# Memcached global configuration variables
MEMCACHED_SERVERS="127.0.0.1:11211"
MEMCACHED_PREFIX="koha_"after making changes save and exit the editor.
5. Database Installation (MariaDB or MySQL)
Koha uses MySQL or MariaBD as the data source which can be installed using the following commands:
sudo apt install -y mariadb-server OR
sudo apt install mysql-server Note: It will be for database password during installation kindly give a strong password.
To enhance database security apply the following command increase MySQL security:
Sudo sudo mysql_secure_installation
Answer the first prompt with “N” and the rest with “Y”
After database installation Enable Apache mod_rewrite and mod_cgi modules:
sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo a2enmod cgi
sudo service apache2 restartEdit the ports.conf file by adding Listen 8001 & Listen 8002 in the beginning of the file and save it.
sudo nano /etc/apache2/ports.conf 6. Create the library instance (the name can be changed to anything )
To create instance just copy and past the following code terminal:
sudo koha-create --create-db library7. Enable Modules and Site and respart apache2
sudo a2enmod deflate
sudo a2ensite library
sudo service apache2 restart8. To Get the Default Password of Koha Copy and paste the following command in the terminal
sudo xmlstarlet sel -t -v ‘/yazgfs/config/pass’ /etc/koha/sites/libraryname/koha-conf.xml
randompasswordtext
Congratulations Koha installation for the command prompt is completed. To access the web installer open the browser and type the following address:
http://localhost:8001Conclusion
Congratulations on completing this extensive guide on Koha Installation. Following the directions we have provided you with, you have learned how to obtain and install Koha completely from scratch. So, you are currently aware of how to perform all library cataloging tasks from creating a file to the final operation.
Remember that, even though the installation process might seem hard at first, a perfectly prepared Koha system will make you proud of the effort you have put in. The machine’s adaptability, the great tools it offers, and the help from the community combine to make it an excellent solution for libraries with different scales. The situation where you stand still while the installation takes place is very logical. As you start learning to use the system of Koha on your new library, you will be frequenting the library often to learn about the dexterity and power of the system. Although it’s not an easy job to do, no doubt you are planning to get the best library tool with all the wonderful features that it boasts of it