LSU Libraries has recently become a member of the Islandora Foundation, joining institutions such as the American Philosophical Society and the Smithsonian Institution in an effort to support and further the Islandora project. Islandora is an open source digital library/digital repository software that is used by libraries, archives, and cultural institutions worldwide to manage and present digital material on the web.

LSU Libraries has been using Islandora to develop the Louisiana Digital Library on behalf of the Louisiana Digital Consortium, a partnership of Louisiana libraries, museums, archives, and cultural heritage institutions. Developers at LSU Libraries have been actively writing code and contributing to the Islandora developer community for some time, and while membership is not required to use the software or to contribute to the project, it signals that LSU Libraries is committed to using the software, now and in the future, and membership provides monetary support to advance its growth and ensure its viability.

The Islandora Foundation organizes the community of users, developers and volunteers who maintain and improve Islandora. As a member, LSU Libraries will be involved in its governance, receiving a vote in the general meetings, and be allowed participation in the Technical Advisory Group and Project Teams.  LSU staff will also receive discounted registration in Islandora related camps and conferences, to which LSU Libraries has sent representatives for the past three years.

The Foundation is currently working to develop the next generation of Islandora software, working with Fedora 4 Repository. This work will allow for better linked data applications and integration. The Islandora Foundation membership adds to the list of other professional groups that LSU Libraries belongs to, such as the Coalition for Networked Information and the National Information Standards Organization.