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Version: 3.1.X

History and Partners

The ISIS Family​

ABCD belongs to the ISIS family of technologies. It utilizes the CISIS formatting language and database structure, ensuring compatibility with a long lineage of information management tools supported by UNESCO.

The software represents the evolution of library automation in this ecosystem, succeeding projects such as:

  • CDS/ISIS (DOS/Windows)
  • WinISIS
  • GenISIS
  • Open MarcoPolo
  • WEBLIS

Origins and Institutional Partners​

The creation of ABCD was made possible through international cooperation involving key institutions in the field of information science.

BIREME (PAHO/WHO)​

The Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (BIREME) led the technological development of ABCD versions 1.0 and 2.0. BIREME's expertise in creating the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and its web-based tools (like iAH) formed the core of the ABCD architecture.

VLIR/UOS​

The Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR/UOS) from Belgium provided the main funding and strategic framework for the project. The initiative was born from the "DOCBIB" project, aiming to provide a modern automation solution for university libraries in partner countries.

The ABCD Community​

Since 2016, the maintenance and evolution of the software have been managed by the ABCD Community. This group consists of independent developers, librarians, and institutions from countries including Brazil, the Netherlands, and others, ensuring the software remains open and updated.

Acknowledgements​

We acknowledge the contribution of the many developers, testers, and librarians who have participated in the project since its inception in 2008.