June 2025. Heythrop Library has chosen Koha as its new library management system to replace the previous system. Open Fifth has implemented the new system and will provide ongoing hosting and support services to Heythrop Library to ensure its success in supporting these collections into the future.
About the Koha library management system
With over 18,000 systems worldwide, Koha is one of the most widely used library management systems (LMS) in the world. Koha is entirely web-based for both staff and public functions. This helps make the system light, easy to use, easy to deploy and easy to manage.
Koha's impressive feature set continues to evolve and expand to meet the needs of its user base. It includes modules for circulation, cataloguing, acquisitions, serials, course reserves, user management, interlibrary loans, and more.
Clemens Gresser, Heythrop Librarian, shared:
"When we realised that we needed a new library management system, we weren't looking for Koha, but how to implement Koha. Open Fifth, formerly PTFS Europe, has for years supported enlightened libraries that believe in the spirit of open source software and the power of a collaborative community.
Koha gives our users a clearer catalogue and messages, makes it easier to see which of our 200,000 items are available in the reading room, and highlights new arrivals automatically on the main page, with journal alerts sent straight to subscribers' inboxes.
This transformation wouldn't have been possible without Open Fifth. We're deeply grateful to their skilled staff who guided us through migration and implementation over the last few months, and proud of what we've achieved together."
Helen Symington, Sales Executive at Open Fifth, shared:
"We are pleased to welcome Heythrop Library to the Open Fifth customer community and to support them in achieving their goals of increasing visibility of their wonderful collection, allowing them better control of their Koha library catalogue, and continued collection growth and development. We look forward to continuing to work with Heythrop Library following the launch of their catalogue through ongoing support and seeing how their library team leverages the system to further highlight their unique offerings.
Heythrop Library has joined a growing number of specialist libraries using Koha as their library management system with support from Open Fifth. The scalability and flexibility of Koha makes it a solution well suited to specialist libraries and their specific needs."
About Open Fifth
Open Fifth Limited (formerly PTFS Europe Limited) is a UK-based company with the vision to make technology easy for libraries. We focus on enabling library users through high-quality, open source software solutions. Our way of working is characterised by listening, finding solutions, reliable delivery, and above all open communication. Our highly skilled team has a friendly and approachable style in delivering our quality implementation and support services.
We proudly work with customers across all library sectors, including public, academic, health, governmental, museum, law and special libraries. The reason so many customers continue to choose us is that we solve problems, we don't sell software. When libraries join us as a customer, they are gaining the expertise of our developers, trainers, data migration experts, and experienced account managers to support them throughout the journey. As an ISO/IEC 27001 certified company, you can also rely on the quality and integrity of the support we're providing.
More information on Open Fifth: www.openfifth.co.uk.
Any questions? Please contact Helen Symington.
About Heythrop Library
The Heythrop Library dates back to 1614 when the Jesuits founded their college in Leuven dedicated to the education of future Jesuit priests preparing for work in what was then the English mission. Most recently, it was the library of Heythrop College, University of London. When the College closed in 2019, the Jesuits in Britain, who are its owners, remained committed to the upkeep and development of the collection both for the continued use of those training for ministry in the Church and of the wider academic community. It also supports the studies of those engaged in programmes here at the London Jesuit Centre. The collection has over 200,000 volumes, with 8,000+ books and the latest issues of over 150 journals. The Library has books and journals which are unique to the UK, and most volumes are stored in one of two off-site stores. Some of the oldest books are house at Campion Hall, the Private Hall of the Jesuits, in Oxford.