Every six months, a new version of Koha

Keep Your Koha System Current with This Reliable Upgrade Guide

Koha, the world’s first open-source integrated library system (ILS), is known for its flexibility and regular feature-rich updates.

Upgrading Koha—especially on a Debian-based system—is a straightforward task that ensures your library system remains secure, stable, and up to date. This blog walks you through a smooth upgrade process.

1. Update Koha Packages

Begin the process by opening your terminal:

Applications > Accessories > Terminal

Then, execute the following commands to update your system’s packages and install the latest Koha version:

sudo apt-get update  
sudo apt-get upgrade  
sudo apt-get install koha-common

These commands pull the latest Koha packages from the official repository and apply any system upgrades.

2. Resolve GPG Key Issues (If Any)

In case you encounter a GPG error while upgrading, it indicates the system can’t verify Koha’s package source. Fix it using:

wget -O- http://debian.koha-community.org/koha/gpg.asc | sudo apt-key add -

Once done, repeat the previous step to ensure a complete and error-free upgrade.

3. Clean Package Cache

Post-upgrade, it’s wise to remove residual files and free up disk space:

sudo apt-get clean

This command clears the local repository of retrieved package files that are no longer needed.

4. Upgrade the Koha Database Schema

Every Koha version introduces database improvements. To apply those changes, run:

sudo koha-upgrade-schema library

Replace library with your actual Koha instance name. This command updates your database to match the latest version’s requirements.

5. Rebuild the Zebra Index

The final step is to rebuild Koha’s Zebra index, which supports advanced searching:

sudo koha-rebuild-zebra -v -f library

This ensures all bibliographic and authority records are correctly indexed and searchable.

Final Thoughts

Keeping Koha updated is not just about enjoying new features—it’s also crucial for security, compatibility, and smooth performance. By following the steps outlined above, library staff and IT teams can ensure that their Koha system stays efficient and future-ready.