Introduction
Libraries are the keepers of a body of knowledge passed down through the ages, yet their conventional role in society is becoming obsolete. The library management system has allowed for a dramatic improvement in the organization and management of libraries in educational institutions.
Keeping track of the circulation of numerous volumes and maintaining accurate records was a monumental effort for librarians of yesteryear. Here’s why online library administration applications can turn antiquated libraries into modern digital automated ones. It’s important to ensure the following are included in any library management software.
Features Of Library Management Software
- Publicity In the Media
Library circulation serves as the bridge between the library’s collections and its users. Having the right books available for the right readers at the right time is facilitated by the issue/return facility. The media circulation department is in charge of lending books to patrons and keeping tabs on their due dates and whereabouts.
Library Management Software is used in the automated circulation system to track the registered users, the books issued to each user, the books returned, the dates on which they were returned, and the overdue books.
- Extensive Monitoring
Finding a specific book in a large library can be difficult, but this software helps librarians out by giving a thorough tracking facility. It records the circulation of library materials, including those that have been checked out, returned, or are overdue.
- Barcode Compatibility
Barcodes are assigned to each book in the open-source library management system. The barcode is used to generate the book’s title, author, subject, and publication date. This method makes better book identification possible in large libraries with many users.
- Predictive Technology
The ability to automate book return reminders is another important feature of a library management tool, as it will ease the librarian’s workload and benefit the patrons. The tool should automatically generate system reports on the library’s efficiency.
- Elimination of Library Penalties And Cards
The need to issue library cards to patrons has been eliminated thanks to an automated circulation system. Each individual’s information is stored in the program’s database, and the program itself has a feature that allows generating and printing of bar-coded ID cards. As an added feature, the library management software should have a way to charge overdue fines or fees to customers who still don’t return overdue materials after being reminded.
- Collecting and Organizing Media
The books and journals owned by the library, as well as those that are available for checkout, are displayed in an online cataloge that is managed by the integrated library management software. The library’s books are available to users 24/7, regardless of their location. The system also maintains a database of all users who have signed up for it.
In addition, the library management system facilitates the addition of new digital books and the removal of outdated ones.
Conclusion
A library management software functions independently or as a component of a school’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. By identifying the best fit for your library, you can save money and time on operations for library patrons and employees. Library services are evolving to meet the needs of a society that is becoming increasingly digital due to technological advancements. Students in today’s information age must be able to utilize accessible resources to back up their claims effectively. Library management systems are developed to solve the difficulties of bridging the information gap between a school’s student body and its information repository.
Reference
https://www.skoolbeep.com/blog/library-management-system/
https://itechindia.co/blog/what-features-should-your-library-management-system-have/
https://www.elibrarysoftware.com/features-library-management-system.html
https://openeducat.org/blog/our-blog-1/post/what-features-should-a-library-management-system-have-98
