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I provide IT work for a state prison. Our inmates have a library that houses approximately 8000 books.
Our state has tried several open-source library database manager programs in the past, but they have
been cumbersome, buggy, and easily broken. We frequently rotate inmates in and out of jobs,
so ease-of-use is an important factor for us. Handy Library Manager Provides this.
The software was easy to configure, and came with easy to understand instructions.
It almost felt like plug-and-play.
Primasoft has always provided outstanding customer support. One of the values
in upgrading our software was having the ability to send our database in to be repaired.
After five years of use, the inmates had bloated the database to 123 MB. Primasoft was
able to clean out the clutter and reduce it to 7MB! As an IT person, I do not have the time
and expertise to jump down the rabbit-hole of database management. Primasoft's assistance
cleaning the database was worth the investment of the upgrade alone.
I would recommend this software to any organization that has valued staff or volunteers that
need to learn the software quickly. Handy Library Manager is a sophisticated program,
but it has a very kind learning curb.
WHF (Correctional Facility)
Lee (IT)
I am working with a small prison resource center. We are looking for library software for a medium
size library that is run by volunteers. We have downloaded the free trial and are finishing up
testing it's compatibility with our needs. We have very much enjoyed the ease of access
that Handy Library Manager provides and and the availability of training materials.
I anticipate us purchasing the HLM soon.
Prison Resource Center
T.R. (IT)
Feel free to use my comments in any way that helps you or PrimaSoft.
In my career I have been a programmer, analyst, database designer, system support specialist, IT manager and CIO. In other words I am quite familiar with the industry.
I have to say that the support I am receiving from PrimaSoft for Handy Library Manager is the best I have ever experienced. There has been no push back that my requests are unreasonable. There has only been a steady willingness to hear my issues and to try and explain or adapt.
The staff and you in particular have made serious efforts to adjust to our needs.
I am truly impressed.
David LaPlata County Jail Library
Library:
We are a non-profit operating in two County Jails (Corrections Facility).
Type of library items:
We track paper back Religious materials only.
Number of items:
We manage 250 items per facility (totaling around 450-500 books. Also manage approximately 750 inmates total. This is not maximum
number however. If we are asked to serve in additional facilities the operation will indeed grow. Depending on size of any new facility would
determine number of additional items we manage.
Advantages:
First, the price, then ease of use. The features allowed for customization to meet our specific needs and the relationship and kindness of
primasoft in making the application available to our small non profit.
Software users:
Volunteers handle the entire operation of maintenance, check in and check out,
President of non-profit and Sr. Chaplain of both facilities. Software is used 3 days a week at length. We are currently writing a manual for new
volunteers.
Summary:
I am very happy with the Handy Library Manager. It has made our life so much easier and the handling of our materials faster and more
efficient. Took a bit for me to learn and am still attempting to customize a few things. It is my hope to learn and set up the server/cloud version
at some point. Managing over 4 machines is a challenge but have figured out a way that works for us. I would also be happy to send my file to
you all, so you can see exactly what we've set up and all our reports and such. While our use may be for a small operation and non-profit it
means a lot to us and we are grateful to have it. I recommend this application to anyone needing a system to track and manage materials of
any kind they are loaning out.
Freedom Declared Ministries, Inc.
Chaplain Steph
library type: The library is a small school library at a Juvenile Corrections Facility
library items: I actually track Books and Movies
why you decided to use our software: It is very easy to use, affordable, and just right for the size of libraries, both media and books, that we have.
who is checking items out/in: The books are checked in and out and maintained by a Supervisor, due to the nature of the facility.
who is in charge of running the software: The supervisor also runs the software.
what are some of the features you would like to see: I would like to see images for the movies come up when the ASIN number is entered. I don't have time to upload images for the movies.
in the scale 0-5, how do you value our services and Handy Library product: 5
Wendy Kingsley, BSED
SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPERVISOR
Abraxas Academy
library type: jail library
library items: books
maximum number: about 3,000 books
why you decided to use our software: We like that it's affordably priced and easy to use. Some features are truly "handy" and include easy renewing and reserving functions, and easily generated overdue notices.
who is checking items out/in: librarian
who is in charge of running the software: The librarian uses it on a daily basis.
what are some of the features you would like to see:If the auto-catalog feature could be tuned to capture books by UPC (for my old books)
as well as ISBNs, that would be convenient.
in the scale 0-5, how do you value our services and Handy Library product: 4.5; I appreciate the speedy and detailed customer service.
Librarian, Gerry M.
naphcare.com