*#REDIRECT [[Integrated library system]] for{{R largefrom librariesmerge}}▼A '''Library computer system''' is the software used to catalog, track circulation (where appropriate) and inventory the library's assets. Such software is intended for the needs of the home, church, private enterprise or other small to medium sized collections. Larger, First World libraries will typically use an [[Integrated library system]] to manage the more complex activities such as acquisitions and the reference interview.
==Software Criteria==
===Distributed Software vs. Web Service===
Library computer systems tend to fall into two offerings: software to be purchased or a service. With Distributed Software the customer installs the application on their own hardware and is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the application and the data. Customers who subscribe to a service merely upload data to the vendor's remote server via the internet and may pay a periodic fee to access their data.
===Data entry assistance based upon ISBN===
Many applications can reduce a major portion of manual data entry by populating data fields based upon the entered ISBN number using [[MARC standards]] technology via the internet.
===Barcode scanning and printing===
With most any software, users can eliminate some manual entry by using a barcode scanner. But some software is designed, or can be extended with an additional module, to integrate scanner functionality. While most software vendor provide some type of scanner integration, not all will print labels with barcodes.
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==Software Comparison Matrix==
To be added here -->
==See also==
*[[Library Management System]] for large libraries
▲*[[Integrated library system]] for large libraries
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==External links==
*[http://acqweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/pubr/opac.html ACQWEB's Guide to Automated Library Systems, Library Software, Hardware and Consulting Companies]
*[http://www.librarysupportstaff.com/4automate.html Automating and Organizing Solutions] from Librarysupportstaff.com
[[Category:Library and information science]]
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