Mapping Research on DDC and Koha: A Bibliometric Assessment of Classification and Automation in Academic Libraries

This bibliometric study examines two pivotal domains in modern library science, Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) and the Koha Integrated Library System, to map research trajectories and understand how academic libraries balance traditional classification practices with emerging automation technologies. Analysing 238 publications from 2000 to 2024, the study identifies significant growth in scholarly output, with Koha-related research showing a sharper upward trend aligned with global digital transformation initiatives. Author productivity, journal dissemination patterns, keyword co-occurrence, geographic contributions, thematic clustering, and citation impact collectively highlight the complementary roles of DDC and Koha in shaping contemporary library operations. While DDC remains central to knowledge organization and metadata structuring, Koha represents the forefront of open-source automation, enhancing accessibility, interoperability, and user engagement. The findings confirm a dynamic research landscape where classification and automation evolve together, offering strategic insights for librarians, researchers, and policymakers committed to strengthening academic library services through integrated technological and organizational frameworks.