The education sector has been one of the late adopters of technology, especially when it comes to administrative tasks like library management. However, manually managing library operations can exhaust resources and increase overhead costs. Total expenses of libraries in the US alone were more than $2 billion in 2018. 

Library management software can help schools and institutions manage their operations more efficiently. These systems automate repetitive tasks and reduce dependence on human labor, helping schools cut down library costs. 

Let’s look at some essential reasons why schools should invest in library management software. 

1. Streamlines Your Processes

Libraries in large schools have thousands of books, magazines, and journals that librarians need to manage. No matter how skilled your library staff is, overseeing such a colossal volume of books every day isn’t easy. 

Library management software streamlines your library processes. It helps speed up administrative activities like stock verification, indexing, circulation, book acquisition, binding, cataloging, etc. The system automates the majority of processes, thereby streamlining the tasks and eliminating repetitive work. 

2. Reduces Operational Expenses

Manually managing a library comes with high daily costs of paperwork, labor, etc. When you implement the best school management software, you put all the information in digital automation tools. Hence, you entirely ditch the use of paper, ink, and printers, which significantly reduces your operational costs. 

At its core, the best library management software is designed to provide a digital, paperless, and automated solution that reduces costs and man-hours. 

3. Saves Time and Resources

Stock management and verification, when done manually or using spreadsheets, can take a lot of time. Let’s say your library has 75,000 books. Assuming that you have three people working on generating accurate reports, the entire process for all the books could take about six months. Counting 25 working days and eight working hours per day for six months, the total time taken will be around 3,600 hours. 

A library management software solution can reduce this time to 5-7 hours only. That’s more than a 90% reduction. Plus, your staff won’t need to fumble across spreadsheets and enter the data manually. Thus, you’ll save both time and resources. 

4. Provides Round the Clock Access to Users

Suppose a student urgently needs a journal to complete her assignment. She assumes that the journal might be available in the library and decides to get it issued the next day. But when she walks into the library, she finds out that the journal isn’t there. A staff member tells her that a student has already issued it. 

Wouldn’t it create an awful experience for the student? The best school management software with library management capabilities resolves this hurdle. Students can access the library stock in real-time to find which books are available in stock and which ones have already been issued. 

5. Eliminates Errors and Inconsistencies

Manual library operations are prone to errors. It’s easy to enter the wrong issue dates in the register, forget to mark a book as issued or miscalculate the late submission fines. While these issues might seem minuscule, they can multiply over time and lead to hefty expenses. 

The best library management software eliminates these errors and inconsistencies. As discussed, it automates the majority of repetitive library tasks, which alleviates the risk of wrong entries or missed details. 

6. Is Remotely Accessible

One of the essential benefits of library management software is that it comes with cloud capabilities. The library staff can access their operations remotely on any device. Therefore, they can stay on top of their work even if they’re not present in the library. 

The education sector, although late, is adopting remote work. A library management system’s cloud capabilities enable institutions to make their library operations remote, more accessible, and more efficient. 

7. Is Inexpensive

Unlike many software solutions, a library management system isn’t a hefty investment. There are numerous inexpensive options available, making library automation a viable option for small schools and institutions. 

Moreover, most library systems are customizable as per the user’s requirements. You can pick the features you want and ditch those you think aren’t needed. For example, a library management solution is scalable to all platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. But if your entire institution runs on Windows OS, you don’t need support for other operating systems. 

Since SaaS products’ pricing is based on the features included, removing some features can help you reduce the overall cost of the system. 

Conclusion

Even in this internet era, students rely on libraries and books to access credible information. But with the volume of books constantly increasing, providing an excellent experience to students isn’t easy. 

A library management solution allows you to automate library operations and offer your students a new-age library experience. With an automated system, you can manage resources more efficiently, reduce library costs, and positively impact the bottom line.