FOLIO (Future of Libraries Is Open) is a community-driven, open-source library services platform (LSP) that is transforming the library operations and technology landscape. Moving beyond the limitations of traditional, proprietary Integrated Library Systems (ILS), FOLIO offers a modern, flexible, and extensible solution built for the digital era.
FOLIO is designed to support traditional library operations (like cataloging, circulation, and acquisitions) while enabling innovation through modular architecture. Unlike monolithic ILS systems, FOLIO is built as a collection of apps that work together through a shared platform.
Developed collaboratively by libraries, vendors, and open-source developers—including major contributions from EBSCO and Index Data—FOLIO represents both a system and a community-driven ecosystem.
In recent years, libraries have been navigating a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by digital transformation, growing user expectations, and the need for more flexible, open, and interoperable systems. Traditional integrated library systems (ILS) have struggled to keep pace with these demands. Enter FOLIO—an open-source Library Services Platform (LSP) that is redefining how libraries manage resources, workflows, and services.
Keywords: FOLIO, Library Services Platform (LSP), Integrated Library System (ILS), Library Software, Future of Libraries Is Open, Open-Source Software (OSS), Library Management System
Contents
- Key Features and Capabilities
- Modular, App-Based Architecture
- Open-Source and Community-Driven
- Cloud-Native Infrastructure
- Integrated Print and Electronic Resource Management
- Powerful APIs for Integration
- Customizable Workflows and Permissions
- Benefits of Using FOLIO in Libraries
- Freedom from Vendor Lock-In
- Lower Long-Term Costs and Affordability
- Future-Proof Technology
- Rapid Innovation
- Interoperability
- User-Friendly Experience
- Flexibility and Innovation
- Challenges in Implementing FOLIO
- Global Adoption and Community Growth
- BIBFRAME in FOLIO
- Metadata Management (Cataloging) in FOLIO
- Inventory
- MARC authority
- FOLIO Videos
- Conclusion: A Platform Built for the Future of Libraries
- How to Download & Install FOLIO: The Future of Libraries is Open?
Key Features and Capabilities
- Inventory (bibliographic & holdings)
- Circulation
- Acquisitions
- eHoldings management
- ERM (Electronic Resource Management)
- Courses and reserves
- Users & permissions
- Transparency in design
- Vendor neutrality
- Rapid development cycles
- Shared innovation and best practices
- Unified workflows
- Consolidated resource records
- Improved discovery and analytics
- Discovery layers (e.g., EBSCO Discovery Service)
- Institutional ERPs
- Authentication systems
- Data analytics platforms
- Data-driven services
- Digital scholarship support
- Non-traditional collections (maker spaces, digital labs)
- Complex migration from legacy ILS systems
- Learning curve for staff adjusting to a modular interface
- Need for strong IT support, especially in self-hosting setups
- Evolving functionality, with some workflows still maturing depending on release cycles
- Large academic libraries (e.g., Chalmers University of Technology)
- Multi-campus systems
- Consortia
- National libraries exploring open-source alternatives
- Data model compatibility: FOLIO's data model is highly compatible with BIBFRAME2, making it straightforward to create a crosswalk between the two.
- Linked data tools: Development is underway for a BIBFRAME Editor (BFE), a tool to create and manage BIBFRAME data that can be integrated with FOLIO. Another tool, the Marva editor, is being developed to help users navigate linked data and relationships in a FOLIO environment.
- Implementation and goals:
- The project aims to transition the library community to linked open data, moving beyond MARC formats to be more compatible with the internet and linked data principles.
- Major institutions like the Library of Congress (LOC) are actively involved in preparing for a BIBFRAME implementation within their FOLIO environment.
- This includes developing best practices for non-Latin script input, as detailed in an announcement from the Library of Congress.
- Community effort: The integration is a community-driven effort, with institutions collaborating on the development of FOLIO to incorporate BIBFRAME and linked data capabilities.
- Creating Instance, Holdings, and Item records
- Managing your collections (physical and/or virtual)
- Importing and exporting bibliographic data
- Editing MARC records
- Instance record. A record that contains bibliographic and administrative information about a particular resource. The Instance record is what is known as the bibliographic record. They are mostly derived from full bibliographic records (in MARC or other formats) and are intended to provide information for library staff to identify and select records in order to perform work on associated holdings and items.
- Holdings record. A record that contains information such as location, call number, and volumes owned, that enables staff to locate and manage library holdings for materials in all formats. A Holdings record must be associated with an Instance record.
- Item record. A record that contains information needed to identify and track a single item or piece. The Item record contains data specific to a single volume or piece, such as barcode and circulation status. An Item record must be associated with a Holdings record.
- Access point. Element in a bibliographic record intended to be searched, e.g., contributor’s name, title, subject. Also referred to as a “heading.”
- Authority record. A record that records the authorized forms of names, subjects, and subject subdivisions to be used in constructing access points in MARC records, the forms of these names, subjects, and subject subdivisions that should be used as references to the authorized forms, and the interrelationships among these forms.
- Authorized access point. An access point that is represented by an authority record.
- Heading. Same as: access point.
- Reference. An entry in an authority record that points the user to either the authorized access point or a related authorized access point.
Yes — FOLIO (short for Future Of Libraries Is Open) is a 100% open-source library services platform (LSP) that you can download, use, modify and install yourself under the Apache 2 license — meaning it’s free and open software.
🔗 Where to download the FOLIO software
The official source code for the FOLIO project is publicly hosted on GitHub by the FOLIO community: (GitHub)
📦 FOLIO on GitHub (all repositories)
👉 https://github.com/folio-org/ — this page lists all the code repositories for FOLIO’s platform, modules, installation scripts, and tools.
Useful repositories include:
Platform code and modules (e.g., the platform UI and backend)
👉 Search on the folio-org GitHub page.Installation runbooks and deployment guides
👉 https://github.com/folio-org/folio-install — collection of instructions for installing the platform.
You can clone any of the repositories locally to your computer or server using Git, e.g.,
git clone https://github.com/folio-org/platform-complete.git
to get a full set of FOLIO modules. (GitHub)
🛠️ How to install and run FOLIO
FOLIO is not a single downloadable “installer”; instead, it’s made up of many components you install and run together. Here are the main ways people set it up: (FOLIO Documentation)
1. Use pre-built Vagrant boxes
FOLIO provides ready-to-use virtual machine images (Vagrant) that run a FOLIO instance with sample data.
This is easiest for learning, testing, or development.
2. Single-server installation (containers)
You can set up FOLIO on a single server or PC (usually Linux/Ubuntu) using Docker/containers.
This is good for a small deployment or experimenting.
3. Production / multi-tenant deployment
For real library operations, FOLIO is often deployed with Kubernetes and additional infrastructure (PostgreSQL, Kafka, OpenSearch/Elasticsearch). (FOLIO Documentation)
📘 Documentation and guides
The official FOLIO documentation site has step-by-step installation guides and usage instructions:
👉 https://docs.folio.org/docs/getting-started/installation/ — includes installation types and prerequisites.
🧠Tips before installing
FOLIO is a complex platform — it’s not a simple desktop app. Installing it typically involves server setup, databases, and container orchestration. (FOLIO Documentation)
If you’re new to server administration or Linux, consider trying a Vagrant box first or use hosted services from a provider that supports FOLIO. (FOLIO Documentation)
