[Libs-Or] School Library Management System

[MAURER Jennifer * SLO]

Hi Erica,

Last school year, someone asked me about the same topic, and this is the info I sent them:

These are the library management systems (LMS) / integrated library systems (ILS)<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_library_system> I am aware of. This is not a recommendation for or against any of the systems.
Pay attention to what the LMS/ILS offers. At a minimum, I think you’d want to have a catalog / online public access catalog (OPAC), circulation, acquisitions (ordering), and reporting. The ability to use the system to do an inventory would be nice. It would be great to be able to access the catalog online, outside of the physical library. Also, consider the level of support the company offers.

·       Accessit<https://accessitlibrary.com/>

·       Alexandria<https://www.goalexandria.com/k12/> (popular for K-12 schools; higher end of the cost spectrum)

·       Atriuum<https://www.booksys.com/atriuum/schools>

·       Follett Destiny<https://follettsoftware.com/library-suite/destiny-library-manager/> (popular for K-12 schools; higher end of the cost spectrum)

·       Insignia<https://www.insigniasoftware.com/K12> (may be on the higher end of the cost spectrum)

·       MackinVision<https://home.mackin.com/mackinvision/> (seems to be increasingly popular for K-12 schools; may be on the higher end of the cost spectrum)

·       Mandarin<https://www.mlasolutions.com/>

·       OPALS<https://opalsinfo.net/> (fairly popular for smaller schools or when cost is a major factor)

·       SirsiDynix Horizon<https://www.sirsidynix.com/horizon/> (may be on the higher end of the cost spectrum)

·       Surpass<https://surpasssoftware.com/>

·       TinyCat<https://www.librarycat.org/> (fairly popular for smaller schools or when cost is a major factor)

·       TLC<https://tlcdelivers.com/library-solution/> (may be on the higher end of the cost spectrum)

Also, if you want the potential to hear from more school library staff about their experience with their LMS/IMS, consider posting your query on the listserv<https://www.olaweb.org/oasl-listserv> for members<https://www.olaweb.org/join-oasl> of the Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL), if you’re a member. To post, send your message to oasl-all at ola.memberclicks.net<mailto:oasl-all at ola.memberclicks.net>.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have questions.

Best,
Jen

Jen Maurer, MLS (she/her)
School Library Consultant, State Library of Oregon
jennifer.maurer at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:jennifer.maurer at slo.oregon.gov> | 971-375-3540 | https://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries

[Logo with this text: State Library of Oregon, Library Support and Development Services]

From: Libs-Or <libs-or-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> On Behalf Of Chaney, Erica via Libs-Or
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2025 2:29 PM
To: Post to Libs-Or (libs-or at omls.oregon.gov) <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>
Subject: [Libs-Or] School Library Management System

Hi all,

I am just starting to put out feelers about changing our Library Management System and I am wondering if anyone has any feedback or experience.

Do any of you have thoughts on School Library Management software?  I am happy to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Thanks
Erica



Erica Chaney
Instructional Media Center Lead

Pronouns (she/her)

Corvallis School District 509J


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