The Marine Biological Association chooses Koha open source library management system, hosted and supported by Open Fifth
Last updated on: 4th March 2026| 4th March 2026 | Open Fifth
Press Release
The Marine Biological Association (MBA) has chosen Open Fifth to host and support their Koha library management system to manage their collection at the National Marine Biological Library (NMBL). Open Fifth has migrated the system and will provide ongoing services to the Marine Biological Association to ensure its success in supporting these collections into the future.
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.
Carol Giles, Library Services Manager at the MBA, shared:
“This was a major upgrading project for our Koha systems at the NMBL and we have been very pleased with the service offered to us by Open Fifth. Their planning, including a full implementation schedule, meetings with both their IT and training staff and lots of post-project support have been incredibly helpful for us. We look forward to continuing to work with them to support our Koha journey.“
Helen Symington, Sales Executive at Open Fifth, shared:
“We are so excited to be hosting and supporting the Marine Biological Association with their Koha library management system. As the Marine Biological Association were independent users of Koha, they know the system well but we feel that migrating to Open Fifth hosting and support is an amazing opportunity for the library team to focus on doing their amazing work in the library. I am delighted to be their account manager because I love biology and libraries. I look forward to continuing to work closely with them.“
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 sectors, including public, academic, health, governmental, museum, law and special libraries, and archives. 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 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 ([email protected])
About the Marine Biological Association
Continually pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery, the Marine Biological Association’s cutting-edge research is anchored in a 140-year legacy of advancing global understanding of the ocean.
The charity continues to drive discovery through future-focused science, unique long-term datasets and innovative technologies that inform policy, conservation and sustainable ocean stewardship. The MBA’s research explores the complexity, resilience and vulnerability of marine ecosystems, generating knowledge that is vital for protecting the planet’s future.
The MBA also inspires the next generation of marine scientists by connecting young people with world-class researchers whose knowledge, passion and mentorship ignite curiosity and guide early steps into marine science careers.
Together with its international community of Members, partners and collaborators, the MBA champions the ocean’s value, amplifies its voice and works to ensure that marine life – and the communities that depend on it – can thrive for generations to come.
