A guide for public libraries: Finding the right software to help you manage your library and serve your patrons
Choosing new library management software can be a daunting task, and one that a lot of people might only do once or twice in their careers. As the centralised source of information for your stock, customers and statistics it is often the most important piece of software within your library. Changing systems can be time consuming and expensive, so it’s important to ensure that when you make your decision – it is the right decision for your library, both now and in the future.
We’ve worked with thousands of institutions over the years as they navigate the process of choosing new library management software, and we’ve watched both highly successful processes which end up with software being deployed for the long term, and others who end up looking again and again every few years and never quite finding the right fit. We’ve been speaking to our customers and networks and studying what makes all the difference when it comes to choosing the right software and distilled that information into a simple guide which walks you through how to get it right.
What we identified is that the institutions who succeed, in one way or another get the following 6 steps right. So we’ve put together this free simple, best practice guide to choosing the right library management software for you which provides tips for being successful at the following stages:
- Understanding your needs
- Setting clear goals
- Prioritising your needs
- Researching what’s available
- Evaluating your options
- Making your decision and getting final sign off
You can download the pdf guide here.
