Recommendations for software import substitution in libraries

Abstract

The author explores Russia’s import substitution policy in information technologies embraced with the aims: to ensure independence from foreign software, databases and hardware providers; to ensure national information safety, including that of the country’s critical infrastructure; to support and develop national IT industry; to support country’s economy; professional education and training in IT. The author offers his recommendations for software substitution in libraries based on the Russian Federation national standard GOST R 59793-2021 “Information technologies. Automated systems. Standard complex for automated systems. Design stages”. The recommendations divide the processes into eight stages: analysis of library’s information system software; search for analogues of the software in use; purchase from a provider; software testing and preinstalling; saving and output of software to be replaced, and further data recovery within new software; employees training; pilot trial of library’s information system; library’s information system operation (final implementation). The author concludes that the recommendations are to assist libraries in solving the challenges that slow down or block the transition to domestic software, and emphasizes that the recommendations are based on the RF standards and laws, and allow for specific features of Russian libraries.