Library Management Software: An alternative for Primary and Secondary Schools

What is the best library management software for primary schools? Exploring an alternative for your current system.

Who is this for?

As a primary school educator, you’re looking for effective library software to organize and manage your book collection efficiently.

• Because without a good system, it is difficult to keep the school library organised. Which books are currently in the library? Who owns which book, and is the one I'd like to read aloud available right now?
• Because the software you're now using isn't appropriate for your school because it takes a long time to 'work in' the books and not everyone can handle it.
  
• Because you want to see what books the pupils are truly reading. Are there novels that demand more attention, and are there any that may still be discarded?
  

Why Your Primary School Needs Effective Library Management Software

This guide compares library software solutions, detailing their features, benefits, and drawbacks for primary and secondary schools.

The following elements are crucial to consider in advance:

1. User-friendliness: Is it simple for everyone to use? Or does the responsibility lie on one specific person?
2. Flexibility and Accessibility: Can it be used in a number of ways, and how can we ensure that the books are accessible to pupils?
   
3. Reading promotion: Is it feasible to help pupils choose right books?
   

Heading for normal lib system

Overview of the School Library App: a Tailored Solution for Primary Schools

The development of the School Library App started in 2021 and is still ongoing.

Most of the functions are aimed at promoting reading, but the application also has all the functions to manage the collection and for use as a lending system.

This allows administrators, parents, teachers and pupils to lend and return books via any desired device (laptop, tablet, phone).

Additionally, teachers can monitor pupil engagement, track reading progress, and assess reading skill development using this software. Pupils receive personal book recommendations based on their reading behavior.

Features of the School Library App: Adaptability and User-Friendliness

Actually, the School Library App is uniquely designed for primary schools, prioritizing student engagement and fostering a love for reading.

All other systems have been created from the perspective of an actual library. This frequently causes irritation among teachers.

A primary school library is distinct. Is it really necessary to know which unique copy each pupil owns?

• Is it sufficient to know that a pupil borrowed a certain title?
• Are the books in the classroom or centrally located?
• Are kids permitted to borrow books independently, or do parent aides or teachers take on this responsibility?
  

Such a unique scenario requires a tailored approach and solution.

If you wish to maintain a particularly tight lending process, a system with a unique serial number is recommended.

If not, you might choose a method that uses the ISBN as the serial number. For a large library, this saves 100 hours of training time.

Also read: 3 Types of School Library Lending Systems: Which is Best for Your School?

Streamlining Book Lending: Who Manages the Process in Your School?

If you wish to use a traditional management system, the only feasible solution is to hire a library manager who will be present in the library at specific times to lend out books.

It is best to share this task among the carer, teachers, and parent volunteers so that the library is always accessible.

If you start using the School Library App, you can also allow teachers and pupils to borrow books on their own. We cannot recommend the optimal lending process for you. The effectiveness of the lending procedure is dependent on your school's particular scenario and implementation.

The three approaches are summarised here, followed by a more extensive explanation.

Enhancing Reading Promotion with Accessible School Library Software

Because the School Library App is the only one designed specifically for primary schools, it can also be used more broadly to assist reading education in schools.

This way, personnel in charge of the school library not only get a complete overview of the collection's makeup, but also answers to queries like:

• Which category of literature is over-represented or under-represented? Which popular shows are incomplete?
• Which books have not received enough attention?
• Which novels are a good challenge for this pupil?
• Etc.

Teachers also obtain insight into their kids' reading habits, both at school and home.

• What novels do pupils read? 
• How many reading meters have they made in the last month? 
• Which pupil requires an extra push?

These insights about the pupils' reading habits can be used to make well-informed decisions when purchasing new books. This manner, the book budget is spent wisely.

That is why we remark, "Finally, full control over the school library."

In short, the reading software does much more than manage a school library. It is a comprehensive strategy to support reading education that uses the school library as the foundation.

Do you still have questions about establishing, operating, and maintaining a school library? Read The Ultimate School Library Guide. Here you will find all of our information on how to set up a school library.