Koha is the free library system most Nepali librarians have heard of, and for good reason. It’s mature, open source, used by libraries around the world, and it has been running in Nepal for well over a decade. But “free” and “right for your library” aren’t the same thing. This article looks at how Koha is used in Nepal, what librarians say about it, and when a simpler system makes more sense.
A short history of Koha in Nepal
Before Koha, Nepali libraries that automated used a mix of tools: CDS/ISIS and its Windows version, and commercial Indian systems such as SOUL and LIBSYS, among others. Koha arrived in 2008. The SAMV library began circulating books with it on 18 May 2008, the first library in Nepal to do so, and training by Dr Mohan Pradhan helped it spread. The Parliament Library at Singha Durbar later adopted it for both Nepali and English documents.
Koha has since become the default choice for academic and special libraries, and EIFL piloted a virtual union catalogue of Nepali libraries built on it.
What Nepali librarians say about Koha
A 2025 study in the TULSSAA Journal surveyed 41 librarians at Nepali libraries using Koha. Its findings are a fair summary of Koha’s position:
- Librarians were aware of Koha’s features, and most were satisfied with its features and performance.
- But only a few were technically able to install and customise it.
- The study concluded Koha is suitable for Nepali libraries, but that training and awareness programmes are required.
Other writing about Koha in Nepal points to the same practical problems: installation, upgrades, backups and customisation all need technical skill, and moving old records in needs conversion work.
Why Koha is hard for small libraries
None of this is a flaw in Koha. It’s a consequence of what Koha is: a full integrated library system built for libraries with servers and staff.
- It runs on a server. Koha needs a Linux server with a web server and a MariaDB or MySQL database. Someone has to install it, keep it updated and back it up.
- The internet matters. Unless the server sits inside the library, the desk stops when the connection drops.
- Hosting costs money. Paying a company to host Koha removes the technical work, but adds a yearly bill. See what Koha really costs.
- It does far more than a small library needs. MARC cataloguing, Z39.50 and multi-branch setup are powerful, and also a lot to learn for a teacher running the school library between classes.
When Koha is the right choice
Stay with Koha, or choose it, if your library:
- catalogues in MARC and shares records with other libraries,
- needs a public online catalogue (OPAC) members can search from home,
- has several branches or many desks working on one catalogue,
- and has someone who can run a server, or a budget for hosting.
That describes most university and large college libraries in Nepal.
When something simpler fits better
Most of Nepal’s libraries look different: a school or community library with one desk, one computer, a few thousand books, patchy internet and no IT staff. For them, a desktop app is simpler than a server.
Khulla is one option. It’s open source like Koha, but it installs like an ordinary app on Windows, Linux or Android, keeps the whole catalogue in one file on that computer, and works with no internet at all. It has a Nepali interface and shows fines in Nepalese rupees.
Be clear about the trade-off, though. Khulla has no public online catalogue, no MARC import, and two computers can’t share one catalogue yet. A library that needs those should use Koha.
| Koha | Khulla | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on | A Linux server, used in a browser | An app on Windows, Linux, Android or the web |
| Needs internet | To reach the server, unless it’s in the library | No |
| Set-up | Server, web server, database, configuration | Run the installer |
| MARC and Z39.50 | Yes | No |
| Public online catalogue | Yes | Not yet |
| Interface languages | Many, through community translations | English and Nepali |
For a longer comparison, including SLiMS, OpenBiblio and BiblioteQ, see the best open-source library management software, compared, and for the options schools and colleges in Nepal actually use, the best free library management software in Nepal.
Questions
Is Koha free in Nepal?
The Koha software is free and open source. What costs money is running it: a server, hosting, installation, upgrades and training, whether that's your own staff's time or a company's fee.
Which libraries in Nepal use Koha?
Koha is used mainly by university, college, government and special libraries. The SAMV library was the first in Nepal to circulate books with Koha, in 2008, and the Parliament Library has used it for Nepali and English documents.
Is Koha good for a school library in Nepal?
Koha can run a school library, but it needs a server and someone who can install, upgrade and back it up. A school library with one desk and no IT staff is usually better served by a simpler app that installs on the library computer and works offline.
Can Koha handle Nepali?
Yes. Recent versions of Koha support Unicode, so Nepali titles can be catalogued and searched, and Koha's interface can be translated.
Try Khulla in two minutes
Open the demo in a browser: nothing to install, no account to create. When it fits, download Khulla for Windows, Linux or Android.
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