Deploy Koha Library System on AWS in minutes using CloudFormation templates. Choose the tier that fits your library’s needs and follow the step-by-step deployment guide.

Note: We recommend choosing the ARM64 tiers (Basic, Standard, Enterprise) for the best price-performance using AWS Graviton processors. The free tier is currently only available on x86 instances to maintain AWS Free Tier eligibility.

Prerequisites

Before deploying, ensure you have:

  1. AWS Account with payment method configured
  2. AWS Marketplace Subscription to your chosen tier
  3. 5-15 minutes (5 mins for Free/Basic/Standard, 10-15 mins for Enterprise)

Step 1: Subscribe via AWS Marketplace

All deployments start with a Marketplace subscription.

Subscription Process

  1. Click the appropriate subscription link above
  2. Sign in to your AWS account
  3. Review pricing and terms
  4. Click Continue to Subscribe
  5. Accept terms and wait for confirmation (~2 minutes)
  6. Click Continue to Configuration
  7. Select CloudFormation Template as delivery method
  8. Choose your AWS region
  9. Click Continue to Launch

Once subscribed, proceed to the deployment guide for your tier.

Step 2: Deploy Your Tier

After subscribing, follow the detailed deployment guide for your chosen tier:

→ Free & Basic Tier Deployment

Single EC2 instance with local MySQL. Perfect for small libraries and testing environments.
Deployment time: ~5 minutes

→ Standard Tier Deployment

Single instance with automated S3 backups and optional SSL. Ideal for medium-sized libraries.
Deployment time: ~5 minutes

→ Enterprise Tier Deployment

Multiple servers with multi-AZ high availability with Aurora, ALB, and auto-scaling. Built for large academic and public libraries.
Deployment time: 10-15 minutes

Step 3: Complete Post-Installation Setup

After your CloudFormation stack completes, complete the initial configuration:

→ Post-Installation Setup Guide

This guide walks you through:

  • Retrieving your Koha administrator credentials
  • Accessing the staff interface
  • Completing the Koha web installer
  • Configuring basic system preferences
  • Setting up your first library branch
  • Creating patron categories and item types

Setup time: 15-30 minutes

Step 4: Configure Your Library

After completing the web installer, use the comprehensive implementation checklist to configure all aspects of your library:

→ Implementation Checklist

This comprehensive guide covers:

  • Data migration strategies and testing
  • Admin configuration and system preferences
  • Localization and internationalization
  • Circulation rules and policies
  • Patron management configuration
  • Cataloging and authority setup
  • OPAC customization and branding
  • Enhanced content integration
  • Acquisitions and serials configuration
  • Go-live planning and preparation

Configuration time: Varies by library complexity (typically a few hours to several days)