Open-Source Software in School Libraries‪.‬

I do not see how we can afford to purchase, support, and maintain our technology program. I would like to be optimistic, but look at what is happening to budgets everywhere. We were hoping for an increase in per-student dollars this year, but instead, they have eliminated the software funding entirely Grants and initiatives have helped our schools get where we are today, but I do not think that we can sustain the program we have built. Does this scenario sound at all familiar? How much are you spending on computer software? Many schools are examining the fees that they spend yearly to purchase commercial software. Most are finding that they are spending a huge amount of money every year on proprietary software and operating system upgrades. Some are limiting the purchase of specialty software and confining licensing to a core software group. Ever-present budget concerns are leading administrators and decision-makers to look for ways to lessen software costs while at the same time attempting to meet varied classroom and curricular demands.