Church library wants to upgrade to a software that is within a reasonable budget.

Handy Library Manager application for Windows PCs

Library Software / Handy Library Manager Get Free Trial Buy Now

Help, how to topics > Libraries Asking Questions > Church Questions > The library wants to upgrade to a new software that is within a reasonable budget.

ask a question, report a problem, ...

< migrating library software to new server

manage assets, send due-to-return emails >

The library wants to upgrade to a new software that is within a reasonable budget.

Our current system was purchased several years ago in order to organize the library and make it easier for members to find the books or materials they want to borrow. No one worked on it until recently, and we discovered that the software, which had been chosen by a member who moved before ever using it, was woefully inadequate. We can only process eight items at a time, and those entries have to be deleted before entering the next batch. We have catalogued around two thousand items already but currently have no searchable database, even for use by the library volunteer staff. We could print a title, author, and one subject card per sheet of three catalog cards for each item. We had to type any remaining subject cards using our pc's at home. There was no digital record of our library inventory. The library is growing, so the elders at church have authorized some upgrades if I can stay within a reasonable budget.

We're considering purchasing the Handy Library Manager software for our church library, and I am currently using it on a trial basis to be sure that it will meet all of our needs. I have some questions that I have been unable to find answers for in the support documentation, and I read that email support is free during the trial evaluation period.

We use labels from Demco for spine and circulation labels. There are 4 labels across (2 spine & 2 circulation) and 8 labels down; the circulation labels are all the same size, but the spine labels are two different sizes (every other spine label going down the page is the same size). I can't find a template or a way to account for the different spine label sizes on the page. We use all four labels across for each book, so I need to find a way to set up a template.

We use a card catalog system, and I have created Title and Author templates for creating the cards. I can set up a separate template for the Subject 1 and Subject 2 and Subject 3 fields, but we have many books that have more than 4 subjects as we use books that reference multiple books of the Bible in a single volume. I'm not sure how to create a page of 3 cards with different subjects for a single book.

Is there a limit to the number of items being entered? I found where it says there is no limit, but in the next sentence it says the software is "good for up to 20,000 items".

How much will it cost for email support after purchasing the software? I know there is extensive support documentation online, but I have to account for all possible expenses related to purchasing this software.

Demco Label: Our software is optimized for uniform labels (the same size on a page). We cannot create a template for labels with 3 different sizes.
If you would like to use Demco products maybe they offer the same spine type 1, spine type 2, and circulation labels on separate pages where all labels are the same? In this case labels will be printed separately. We could help you with setting custom library labels.

Subject Cards: Our system allows to set 3 separate major subjects and for each you can define a subject card. You can design and print library subject cards.

Limit: There is no limit on the number of items or borrowers you can enter into our library system.

Support: Support costs 59.95/year.