New Guide Koha Library System Guide

Koha is a powerful open-source Integrated Library System (ILS) used by libraries worldwide. This guide will help you install and configure Koha on an Ubuntu server.

Step 1: Update Ubuntu

Before installing Koha, update your system’s package lists and upgrade installed packages to ensure compatibility.

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

Step 2: Add the Koha Community Repository

Koha is not available in the default Ubuntu repositories. Add the official Koha repository manually.

echo deb http://debian.koha-community.org/koha stable main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/koha.list

Add the repository key:

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

Step 3: Refresh System Packages

Update the system package list to recognize the newly added Koha repository.

sudo apt-get update

Step 4: Install Koha

Now, install Koha by running the following command:

sudo apt-get install koha-common

Press y when prompted and wait for the installation to complete.

Step 5: Configure Koha

Edit the configuration file to set the domain name and port:

sudo gedit /etc/koha/koha-sites.conf

Modify the INTRAPORT value to 8001 or another preferred port.

Step 6: Install MySQL

Koha requires a database to function properly. Install MySQL with:

sudo apt-get install mysql-server

After installation, configure a MySQL user and database as needed.

Step 7: Create a Koha Instance

Enable Apache modules required by Koha:

sudo a2enmod rewrite
sudo a2enmod cgi

Restart Apache:

sudo service apache2 restart

Create a Koha instance with:

sudo koha-create --create-db instance_name

For example:

sudo koha-create --create-db library

Step 8: Configure Apache Ports

Edit the Apache ports configuration:

sudo gedit /etc/apache2/ports.conf

Add the following line:

Listen 8001

Restart Apache to apply changes:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

Step 9: Enable Modules and Sites

Disable the default Apache site:

sudo a2dissite 000-default

Enable necessary modules and your Koha site:

sudo a2enmod deflate
sudo a2ensite instance_name

For example:

sudo a2ensite library

Restart Apache:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

Restart Memcached service:

sudo service memcached restart

Step 10: Retrieve Admin Credentials

To get your Koha admin username and password, run:

sudo koha-passwd instance_name

Alternatively, find the credentials in the configuration file:

sudo gedit /etc/koha/sites/library/koha-conf.xml

Step 11: Access the Koha Web Interface

Open a web browser and enter the following URL:

http://127.0.0.1:8001

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Koha on your Ubuntu server. You can now configure and start managing your library system.

Reference By

Omkar Kakeru

Founder Of Playtech