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What is our definition of a Small Library?

A small library is not defined by how important it is to its community, but by its resources, staffing, and technical capacity. Our system is designed specifically for libraries that need simplicity, affordability, and reliability without requiring specialized IT knowledge.

A small library typically has:

A limited budget

  • Less than $350 for a simple, single-computer installation
  • Less than $700 for a small network or multi-computer setup

Limited IT resources

  • Few computers
  • Basic or intermittent internet access
  • No dedicated IT staff
  • Little or no experience installing or maintaining advanced web-based library systems

Minimal staffing

  • Operated by one person, often temporarily
  • Run by a volunteer, teacher, or administrator
  • No formal degree in library science required to manage daily operations

This includes many:

  • School libraries
  • Church or community libraries
  • Small public libraries
  • Private or special-purpose collections
  • Rural or underserved libraries
  • Prison libraries

What Does It Mean That Our System Is "For Small Libraries"?

Our system is designed to be:

  • Easy to install - no servers, no complex configuration
  • Easy to learn - usable without library science or IT training
  • Affordable - predictable costs with no hidden infrastructure expenses
  • Low maintenance - minimal updates and ongoing technical work
  • You can focus on running your library, not managing software.

Who This System Is Best For

This system is ideal if:

  • You want to be up and running quickly
  • You do not have IT staff
  • You need reliable, straightforward library software
  • You value simplicity over complex customization

If you need a large, multi-branch, highly customized enterprise system, this may not be the right fit—and we are transparent about that.

Not sure how to use our library management software? We are here to help you find what you are looking for.

Recent answers and tutorials with images and easy instructions:
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