iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Bayeux, WWII, and a library system murder mystery...🕵 It's time for the Open Fifth team's reviews for September! Check out what we've been reading, watching and doing this month: openfifth.co.uk/whats-on-our...

openfifth.co.uk

WOOSH Our September 2026 book, event and exhibition 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

010

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Find out what the team have been reading and watching this month in our August reviews post: 'What’s on our shelves: Orwell, One Direction and Satine vs Acme'. openfifth.co.uk/whats-on-our...

openfifth.co.uk

WOOSH Our August 2026 book, theatre, film and TV series 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

010

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Next week Helen and Fiona will be in Glasgow for ARA 2026 @araukie.bsky.social. Visit the Open Fifth booth to find out all about the archive software products we support. On Weds, see former archivist Helen's talk 'The Ship of Theseus to Trigger’s Broom to digital preservation and authenticity'🧹

Open Fifth
We're attending ARA 2026
Visit Helen and Fiona at the Open Fifth booth to discover AtoM and Omeka, open source archive software. Look out for Helen's talk on digital preservation and authenticity.
Archives & Records Association Conference (ARA)
Glasgow, Scotland. 5 - 7 August.

001

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

We’re delighted to introduce the newest member of the team - Olivia Reynolds, Junior Software Engineer 👋 Since joining us in June, Olivia has already started contributing to our Koha LMS and Aspen Discovery projects. Olivia looks forward to connecting with our library customers and OSS communities.

030

Reposted by Open Fifth

aspenlibrarysoftware.org @aspenlibrarysoftware.org · 20/07/2026

The countdown is on! ⏳ There are 100 days until AspenCon 2026 in Oklahoma City. Take a look at the schedule, see this year's presenters from across the Aspen community & access registration: community.aspendiscovery.org/AspenCon2026 We can't wait to see you in-person & online this October!

011

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

The Open Fifth team have been bringing the sunshine inside today in Edinburgh ☀️ Our Libraries Community Event - Scotland has wrapped, a fantastic afternoon of catching up with customers, sharing updates and developments, delivering training, networking and exchanging knowledge.

Photo - Open Fifth team members Andrew, Helen, Fiona and Martin smiling towards camera in a meeting room. Screen behind them shows a slide 'Open Fifth Libraries Community Event - Scotland. 23rd June 2026'

010

Reposted by Open Fifth

Jen Hillyard @mininglibrarian.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

On my way to sunny Edinburgh for a customer day with @openfifth.bsky.social about all things Koha!

121

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Looking out over the rooftops of Edinburgh at the Quaker Meeting House, ready for our afternoon with northern customers discussing #opensource, #koha and #aspendiscovery among other things!

View from Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh, overlooking neo-classical rooftops against a lightly clouded blue sky.

030

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Check out our Summer Events Programme for three months packed with free webinars, in-person conferences, and Open Fifth customer-only events. We look forward to seeing you online and irl soon! openfifth.co.uk/event/summer...

openfifth.co.uk

Open Fifth Summer Events Programme 2026

Open Fifth's Summer Events Programme includes conferences, in-person events, and webinars from June to September.

010

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Pedro Amorim shares his experience taking on the Release Manager role for the Koha LMS. In this week's 'What's on our mind' video, Pedro covers his early steps, workflow transitions, thoughts on LLM code, and goals for upcoming development cycles of the open source software youtu.be/qw6IKrrfOWI

youtu.be

Early days as Koha Release Manager (26.11)

YouTube video by Open Fifth

031

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

8 July: Jonathan & Sam @samgoldbird.bsky.social will be webinar panelists for 'AI Power Hour: Addressing the challenges and opportunities' with HELibTech. Discussing bot scraping and infrastructure, streamlining workflows, changing student search, introducing AI into library tools, and more.

100

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Andrew & Fiona are at Libraries Connected Annual Seminar this week, theme: 'Building Belonging: The Values that Shape Our Libraries'. For us, building belonging means championing inclusivity, accessibility, and community-driven solutions that empower libraries as welcoming spaces for all.

alt="Photo of Andrew Auld and Fiona Borthwick smiling whilst standing at an Open Fifth conference table at Libraries Connected. Banner text: The Library is Open. The table has Open Fifth branded stickers, pens, mints and leaflets."

140

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

📢 Calling all Scottish libraries and archives - Do you want to learn more about available library and archive systems? Do you have any questions about how open source software works? Do you want to network and meet with other library teams? Join us in Edinburgh on 23 June!

121

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Fiona & Andrew had a wonderful time yesterday at the NAG Public Library Forum. Fiona had the opportunity to present Oldham Library with the Public Library Project of the Year Grant for their 'Study Well' project, exemplifying the roles of public libraries as vital community services.

061

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

The last Thursday of the month means one thing here at Open Fifth - it's time for the team's film, book & TV reviews. Including a Palm Beach story, Invincible superhero, medieval intrigue, the history of the orange, a rough guide to Rhodes, and Margo's money troubles openfifth.co.uk/whats-on-our...

openfifth.co.uk

WOOSH Our April 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

010

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

The Open Fifth team are at the University of Sheffield this week where Sam Goldsmith and Helen Symington are attending LILAC 2026 @lilacconf.bsky.social . Stop by to talk open source libraries and tell us what you're reading 📚

020

Reposted by Open Fifth

National Acquisitions Group (NAG) @uklibrariesnag.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Great to see applications rolling in for the NAG Public Library Project Grant for 2026! A reminder the closing date is noon on 6th April... 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...

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"

001

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

The Open Fifth team descended on Coventry this week for our biannual company meeting where we shared visions for the future, demoed tech, dived into ISO 27001 and GDPR, and refined processes. The focus throughout was 'putting customers at the heart of everything we do'.

Group photo of the Open Fifth team standing and sitting outside of a red-brick building in the sunshine

021

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

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

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

020

Reposted by Open Fifth

National Acquisitions Group (NAG) @uklibrariesnag.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

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...

012

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

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:

010

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

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...

openfifth.co.uk

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

020

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

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...

openfifth.co.uk

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

031

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

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

110

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

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?...

youtu.be

SIP2 configuration module in Koha LMS

YouTube video by Open Fifth

021

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

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!

061

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

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

020

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

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...

cilip.org.uk

AI Wars - The Libraries Fight Back

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

065

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

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!

031

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

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...

021

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

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...

openfifth.co.uk

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

000

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

📢 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...

openfifth.co.uk

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

110

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

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.

030

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

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"

021

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

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...

openfifth.co.uk

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

010

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

"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...

openfifth.co.uk

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.

021

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

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

informationprofessionaljobs.com

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...

010

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

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

021

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

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...

openfifth.co.uk

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.

020

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

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=...

041

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

📢 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...

eventbrite.com

Webinar - Introducing Archives: AToM Archival description & access software

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

110

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

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...

cilip.org.uk

Relationship counselling

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

031

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

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...

eventbrite.com

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

010

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

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...

eventbrite.com

Open Fifth Events

These are events Open Fifth is running in the future.

111

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

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...

openfifth.co.uk

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.

020

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

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.

042

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

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...

openfifth.co.uk

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

010

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Pride has arrived in Koha this month through a new plugin, the Homosaurus 🌈🦕 The Homosaurus is an inclusive vocabulary for describing LGBTQ+ resources in the collections of libraries, archives, museums, and other institutions. Read more about the dev & how to access: openfifth.co.uk/news/homosau...

openfifth.co.uk

Homosaurus, an LGBTQ+ linked data vocabulary, is now in Koha

Pride has arrived in Koha this month through a new plugin, the Homosaurus - an international LGBTQ+ linked data vocabulary

010

Open Fifth @openfifth.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

AI bots crawling websites are slowing down sites with unprecedented traffic, consuming resources, and affecting user experience. We have seen an increase in the amount of bots crawling our library sites, catalogues present an attractive source due to rich metadata openfifth.co.uk/fighting-the...

openfifth.co.uk

Fighting the AI bots

Since around March this year we have seen an increase in AI bots, with library catalogues an attractive source as they contain rich metadata

033