Top 10: Free Library Management Software

2023. Koha enhanced the Acquisitions module



In the vast, often bewildering universe of free library management software, the intrepid Koha has boldly updated its Acquisitions module—a mechanism so clever it could almost order a sandwich while balancing the library’s budget. The latest incarnation of this marvel offers a reimagined order receive page, now equipped with the startling ability to select and process multiple orders at once, thereby saving librarians from the Sisyphean task of endless reloading and re-searching. A delightfully named 'Confirm' button awaits, eager to usher all selected orders into existence with a single, decisive click. But wait, there’s more! This enhancement lays the groundwork for such wizardry as default actions for bulk orders, while also sprinkling in extra fields for order lines—fields so accommodating they allow for user-defined input, free text, or selections from an authorized smorgasbord of values. And because the universe wouldn't be complete without a nod to the arcane, it’s now possible to siphon data directly from MARC records or perform a bit of on-the-spot record editing wizardry.


2023. Judges grant OPALS the 2023 MLA Platinum Award



In the sprawling, improbably delightful cosmos of library software, OPALS has once again snatched the shimmering intergalactic glory of the Platinum Award, a gleaming nod to its heroic dedication to customer service and product brilliance. Librarians—those wise guardians of knowledge and Dewey Decimal chaos—have showered us with their cosmic admiration, and we are profoundly, if a little smugly, thankful. The 2023 Modern Library Awards (MLAs), a dazzlingly impartial program powered by the collective wisdom of LibraryWorks readers, have published their much-anticipated scores in a supplementary scroll of Library Products & Services News. Companies bravely offered their wares for review, summarized in neat little descriptions, which librarians—be they from public, academic, K-12, or special realms—rated on a scale of 1 to 10 after experiencing these wonders firsthand. Four library references were a prerequisite for entry, and, in true improbability-field fashion, the LibraryWorks staff kept their hands firmly off the scoring controls.

2022. Koha adds Electronic resource management



The new version of open-source library management software Koha has added Electronic resource management (ERM) module. This new module adds a mechanism to track the selection, acquisition, licensing, access, maintenance, usage, evaluation, retention and de-selection of a library’s electronic information resources. These resources include, but are not limited to, electronic journals, electronic books, streaming media, databases, datasets, CD-ROMs and computer software. Also the new version adds option to require 2FA setup on first staff login, allows storing item values as a template for creating new items, adds ability to create bundles of items for circulation, adds the ability to create ‘saved searches’ for use as filters when searching the catalog.


2022. Evergreen improves interface and notifications



Open-source library management software Evergreen has released the new versio 3.10. This major feature release introduces several notable enhancements, including further Angularization of the acquisitions interfaces, the addition of support for the EDI DESADV message for advance shipment notices, integration with the Bing Maps API for geographic sorting, improved formatting of outgoing emails as HTML, the capability to use Evergreen as an identity provider for OpenAthens, compatibility with Ubuntu 22.04, the introduction of a new experimental Angular interface for circulation and patron management and the Angularization of various other staff interfaces.