Top 10: Library Management Software (LMS)

2024. Libero Library Management System adds 2-Factor Authentication



In a galaxy not too far away—specifically the one with oddly comforting keyboards—Knosys has unfurled the next chapter of its flagship odyssey, Libero, version 6, a marvel of technological tinkering designed to make your digital library experience as smooth as a Vogon poet's rendition of iambic pentameter is not. Among its splendid bells and whistles, it offers Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for the Libero 6 Dashboard login, which is essentially a friendly bouncer asking for Email, SMS, or TOTP passwords to prove you're not a mildly intelligent shade of blue. Librarians will rejoice (possibly with a cup of something frothy) over its souped-up bibliographic data management, boasting record-merging wizardry and the ability to wrestle MAB into MARC conversions like a pro. Meanwhile, in the WebOPAC corner of the cosmos, search and registration are now so intuitive they might just know what you want before you do, and the Member Portal has been given a sorting and visual makeover that feels like zipping through hyperspace—only without the pesky time dilation.


2023. Libib adds Patron freeze to prevent self-checkouts/holds



In a move that might well leave library managers feeling slightly smug and patrons slightly baffled, Libib Cloud Library Management software has unveiled its latest Pro account delight: the Patron Freeze. Previously, the system relied on the quaint but deeply flawed honor system to prevent patrons from grabbing too many books or hogging all the holds. When things inevitably went awry, the only solution was a heavy-handed nuke-the-patron approach, deleting them (and their literary history) from existence—a bit like solving a messy desk problem by setting the entire desk on fire. But lo! Enter the Patron Freeze! With a swift managerial flick of the digital wrist, troublesome patrons can now be frozen in place, unable to check out or place holds, much like a confused penguin at a locked library door. A polite notification will inform them of their predicament, while a fetching blue striped background will mark their frozen status in the system, ensuring managers can spot them with ease. Everyone wins—except the frozen patrons, of course.

2022. Koha enables two-factor authentication



The latest incarnation of the ILS system, Koha 22.05, saunters onto the stage with an optional dabble in two-factor authentication (2FA)—because, let’s face it, passwords alone are about as secure as hiding your library key under the doormat. This avant-garde security flourish involves time-based, one-time passwords (TOTP), which sound impressive and, to be fair, rather are. Librarians are invited to partake in the ritual by downloading an authenticator app—Google Authenticator, andOTP, or any suitably clever app that won’t lose your codes in a cosmic accident. With a quick detour to More > Manage Two-Factor Authentication, you can unlock the mysteries of 2FA by: 1) Pointing your phone at a QR code with all the earnest intent of someone trying to capture a rare Pokémon, and 2) typing in the cryptic one-time code that materializes. Thereafter, each login becomes an adventure as the system politely demands the magic authenticator code in addition to your usual credentials. Pro tip: Opt for apps with backup features—because when the universe sneezes, you’ll want your 2FA accounts firmly tethered in the cloud or somewhere equally non-ephemeral.


2022. Libero to offer libraries more security



In the ineffably vast and bewildering universe of library management systems, Libero has introduced a dazzling array of updates so practical, even a Vogon bureaucrat might consider them handy. Among these enhancements are rather clever bits like optional default passwords—wherein librarians can set a member’s surname or phone number as the initial access point, sparing members the agony of a mysterious first-time login. And if that's not enough to feel positively splendid, they've also implemented improved security measures, like nudging members with politely insistent emails reminding them of renewal details all bundled in one place (far easier than searching the length and breadth of the Milky Way for such trivialities). There's even the endearing ability to store and respect preferred names for members, all while preserving the gravitas of official records. Best of all, password change requirements on the first WebOPAC login ensure a boost in security without a hint of Vogon poetry, so users can safely roam the electronic stacks, enjoying an experience that's a tad more inclusive, a smidgen more secure, and possibly a lot more delightful.


2021. Evergreen adds acquisitions administration, holdings maintenance



The release of Evergreen 3.8 is announced by The Evergreen Community. Evergreen is a highly-scalable software designed for libraries to facilitate the discovery of library materials by patrons and assist in managing, cataloging and circulating those materials, regardless of the library's size or complexity. This release brings numerous new features and enhancements, such as Angular rewrites of several staff interfaces including acquisitions administration, holdings maintenance, item attributes editor, patron triggered events log and item triggered events log. Additionally, it introduces a case-insensitive option for browsing headings, a new interface for editing notes attached to bibliographic records, improvements to the staff interface for browsing bib records attached to a heading and consolidation of patron notes, messages, alert messages and standing penalties into a unified notes interface. Other additions include settings for determining item value based on item price and acquisition cost, enhancements to override event dialogs in checkout and renewal interfaces, the ability to edit the patron photo URL during registration, settings for hold stalling based on pickup library, settings for default pickup location for staff-placed hold requests, utilization of a newer Stripe API for credit payments in the public catalog, display of cover images in My Account pages for items checked out, check out history, holds and holds history and new reporting views such as item statistics and Dewey call number blocks and ranges.0352


2014. Bibliovation adds new Discovery Layer



LibLime has flung open the digital curtains to unveil the cosmic marvel that is Bibliovation 5.6, a release orbiting the freshly minted Discovery Layer. Built upon the gloriously arcane foundations of a RESTful API, this innovation doesn’t just stop at "useful"—it boldly strides into the realms of extraordinary local tinkering and effortless alliances with third-party galactic titans of academia. Highlights in this latest upgrade include the elegant art of merging authority records (because chaos in cataloging is so last epoch), a cunningly versatile OPAC editor, and mobile device support for the librarian on the go. As with its noble predecessors, the entire Bibliovation enterprise hums contentedly within the Plack environment, making everything run smoother than a Vogon bureaucrat's forms. And let’s not forget the Solr search engine—a dazzling open-source behemoth derived from Apache Lucene, capable of scaling up faster than a panicked whale falling from the sky, supporting the sprawling search needs of academic and internet empires alike.