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Welcome to OPALS – Cogent!

OPen-source Automated Library System

OPALS Open-source Automated Library System is a powerful cooperatively developed, Web-based, open source program. This alternative technology provides Internet access to information databases, library collections and digital archives. Many school, college, research, business, religious and library union catalogs (that provide ILL services) use OPALS. There is no need to install software or purchase expensive computer hardware or software licenses to implement this powerful, turnkey Internet accessible system. The “total cost of ownership” of this standards-based, Web-based, feature rich software is demonstrably and undeniably sustainable.

We can host and maintain OPALS on our servers or we can work with your IT colleagues to install and support it at your site. Experienced programmers and technical support staff update and maintain the program, giving this open source initiative a responsive, dependable support framework that is essential for institutions that serve the public.

OPALS-Cogent is a reliable open source community that you can trust. “Perceptions 2010: An International Survey of Library Automation” published by “Library Technology Guides” lists OPALS among the top two ILS programs for system, company and customer support satisfaction.

OPALS orientation Video

John Abbott College systems librarian Carolyn Littlejohns, produced an orientation video to introduce 2011-2012 students and staff to their newly adopted OPALS OPAC. John Abbott is a public community college that serves 5700 full-time and 2000 evening students from the Greater Montreal region as well as many international students. The presentation gives an introduction to the OPAC as accessed from the John Abbott web portal.

OPALS Video guide : download the MP4

OPALS Evaluation Site – Upload Your Data to OPALS – Explore-ready in 24 – 48 hours for 3 months at no cost

Click here to request a 3 month evaluation site for your library.

No charge! No obligation!


The best way to determine whether OPALS is a good fit for your library is to experience it in the familiar context of your library’s data. OPALS technicians can set up an evaluation site into which we can upload your library’s MARC bibliographic records. In most cases, these sites are ready for you to evaluate within 24 hours. During the evaluation period, you will be able to explore all of the system’s features and have access to OPALS support staff.

The evaluation experience is a learning experience. After the evaluation, many librarians that joined the OPALS community, have not needed any formal training to use their systems.

Click here to access a demo-overview site link and login

For a quick overview… check our Demo site to learn more about OPALS and to experience all of its features.

OPALS Support and Hosting

Media Flex supports OPALS in the United States. There are no license fees for OPALS and  reasonably priced subscription fees and Internet hosting services provide funding for the outstanding support and computer engineering staff.

Bibliofiche provides support & services to Canadian and international libraries.

New York State – School Library Systems

If you are a New York State School Library System member, the following NYS BOCES School Library Systems offer Resource Sharing Union Catalogs, CoSers or OPALS hosting services: