If you’re building a modern library discovery system, VuFind is one of the best open-source tools to consider. Designed specifically for libraries, VuFind allows users to search and browse through library collections in a seamless, user-friendly way. Whether you’re a systems librarian, a developer, or an IT manager deploying a digital library solution—this guide will help you set up VuFind 10 on Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS from scratch.

We’ll walk through installing all necessary software: Apache, MariaDB, PHP, Java, and VuFind itself. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have VuFind running locally with the ability to import MARC records. Let’s get started!

Prerequisites

Before beginning, ensure you have access to:

  • A Linux server with Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS

  • Terminal access with sudo privileges

  • Internet connectivity for downloading packages

Step-by-Step Installation of VuFind 10

Step 1: Open Terminal

You can press Ctrl+Alt+T or navigate to Applications > Accessories > Terminal.

Update Ubuntu
				
					sudo apt update
Install Mousepad Text Editor

(We’ll use it to edit config files later.)

				
					sudo apt-get install gedit
Download VuFind
				
					wget https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/releases/download/v10.1.4/vufind_10.1.4.deb
Install the Package
				
					sudo dpkg -i vufind_10.1.4.deb

If you encounter missing dependencies, fix them with: 

				
					sudo apt-get install -f
Load Environment Variables
				
					source /etc/profile
echo $VUFIND_HOME
cd  $VUFIND_HOME
Start Solr
				
					./solr.sh start
Set MySQL Root Password
				
					sudo mysql -uroot

Then run:

				
					UPDATE mysql.user SET plugin='mysql_native_password' WHERE User='root';
flush privileges;
quit;

Run secure installation:

				
					sudo /usr/bin/mysql_secure_installation

Follow prompts:

  • Press N

  • Set a root password

  • Remove anonymous users: Y

  • Disallow remote root login: Y

  • Remove test DB: Y

  • Reload privileges: Y

VuFind Post Installation Configuration

Open this URL in your browser to begin auto-configuration:
http://127.0.1.1/vufind/Install/Home

Fix any issues shown by clicking “Fix” and following on-screen instructions.

ILS Setup:

				
					sudo gedit /usr/local/vufind/local/config/vufind/NoILS.ini

Change:

				
					mode = ils-offline

To:

				
					mode = ils-none

Then:

  • Click on “Fix” under ILS

  • Choose “NoILS” from dropdown

  • Click “Submit Query”

Access VuFind

Now access VuFind at:
http://127.0.1.1/vufind

Import MARC Files into VuFind

Move your .mrc file to this directory:

				
					usr/local/vufind/tests/data

Check if it’s there:

				
					cd /usr/local/vufind
ls tests/data/*.mrc

Start Solr again:

				
					./solr.sh start

Import the file (replace filename as needed):

				
					./import-marc.sh tests/data/journals.mrc

View imported record at:
http://localhost/vufind

Final Thoughts

With VuFind 10 successfully installed on Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS, you now have a powerful open-source library discovery layer ready to use. Whether you’re indexing MARC records, integrating with your catalog system, or customizing the interface, VuFind offers a robust foundation for your digital library.

If you found this guide helpful, share it with your fellow librarians, developers, or IT professionals. And don’t forget to explore VuFind’s documentation for advanced features like search facets, custom themes, and ILS integrations.

Happy discovering!