Library Management System FAQs: Everything you need to know about setting up and running a school library

Yes. Crucially, you’ll need some way of exporting the catalogue data to a CSV, XML, Excel spreadsheet or similar. Even if the data is somewhat incomplete or disordered, we can usually work something out. However, the more data is available and the more logical it is, the better. If the ISBN is available, we can use it to obtain additional information about the book.

Absolutely, as long as you are able to supply the data in a CSV, spreadsheet or similar file. At a minimum, we only need first and last names, although email addresses are advantageous, as they allow users to reset their own passwords and receive borrowing alerts. We’re also able to import other information including class and year (for schools), job title, gender and more – but it’s all optional.

It’s vitally important that libraries are able to keep track of their inventory. Because libraries expect their stock to be returned to them at some point, they need a way of identifying specific items. Then, the librarian will know what’s out on loan and to whom, what’s due to be returned, and what’s available on the shelves at any given time. If a book lands on the check-in desk, the barcode will match it to a particular copy in their catalogue and allow the item to be loaned again to another borrower. It will also make sure that the existing borrower no longer has that item marked as being on loan to them.

Library cards simply make it easier and quicker for particular borrowers to identify themselves. It also makes running a self-loaning service much easier. Borrowers can scan their library card to identify themselves, scan the barcode on the item they want to borrow, and they’re away. People might have similar (or even the same) names, but their library card will have a number on it that’s unique.

Classmarks and shelfmarks are both tools to help you and your users find books easily, but they serve slightly different purposes.

A classmark is used to classify a book according to its subject. It’s part of a wider classification system, such as the Dewey Decimal Classification, that groups books on similar topics together. For example, books about space might all be given the classmark 520, while cookery books could be 641. This code tells you what the book is about.

A shelfmark, on the other hand, tells you where the book belongs on the shelf. It often includes the classmark plus additional information — such as the first few letters of the author’s surname or a section code for a particular area of the library. For example, a book with the shelfmark 641 SMI might be a cookery book (641) by an author named Smith.

In Simple Little Library System (SLLS), there’s a single field that you can use for either a classmark or a shelfmark, depending on your preference. Some librarians choose to stick to subject-based classmarks, while others build their own system that combines both. SLLS gives you the flexibility to organise your collection in the way that works best for your library and users.