Description

What Is a Library Management System

     A library management system is software that brings together the description and organisation of the collection, reader services and access to information. Data is maintained in a single system, available to staff and readers according to their roles.

     Web access and support for diverse digital content allow the library to provide information and services remotely. This makes the team’s daily tasks easier and expands the library’s readership.

Key Benefits

• Unified library information – data is entered, stored and used in a shared environment.
• Web access – staff and readers use the system through a web interface.
• Diverse content – you manage library information and digital materials in various formats.
• Flexible classification – the collection is organised according to the classification schemes your library uses, including JEL for economics literature, in line with international academic practice.
• More efficient teamwork – the automation of library activities and improved communication make day-to-day service easier.
• A wider audience – online access makes the library’s information and services available to more readers.

LibSys Perfect – Our Solution

     LibSys Perfect brings together the work of the library team and reader services with reliable, flexible and intuitive tools for entering, accessing and managing information. Data on the collection and available digital materials is stored in a connected environment that supports both day-to-day operations and reporting.

     The system combines modern software and user technologies with relational and document databases, which provide reliable storage for both library records and digital content. The web interface makes communication with readers easier and enables remote use of the library’s information and services.

     Key advantages:

• Connected library operations – the catalogue, record-keeping, lending and reader services are managed in a single system.
• Collection and digital content – library records and diverse digital materials are processed, stored and used together.
• Online services for readers – the personal account, reservations and requests make communication and remote use of the library easier.
• Convenient work for the team – reliable, flexible and intuitive tools make it easier to enter, find and administer library information.

LibSys Perfect – an organised collection, easier service and a library accessible online.

Who Is the System For

     LibSys Perfect is suitable for libraries and information centres of various types:

• University and academic libraries – management of academic collections and reader services.
• School libraries – organisation and use of school collections.
• Public libraries – service for a broad readership.
• Regional and national libraries – management of large collections and library networks.
• Community centre (chitalishte) libraries – library services for local community centres and communities.
• Specialised and research libraries – collections of institutes, museums and galleries.
• Departmental and corporate libraries – library collections within organisations and companies.
• Information centres and document collections – organisation of specialised collections.

Main Features

     Features are combined according to the needs of the library and the scope of the specific implementation.

Unified Catalogue – an Organised Collection and Precise Search

     You create and edit bibliographic records with authors, subject headings, keywords and subject classifications for consistent description of publications. Readers search by material type – books, periodicals, articles or all materials – as well as by title, author, year of publication, volume or issue, keywords, subject classification, ISBN or all text fields. The AND and OR operators allow results to be narrowed or broadened. The collection can also be browsed by collections created according to the library’s needs and preferences.

Classification Schemes – Subject Organisation Tailored to Your Library

     LibSys Perfect supports any classification schemes the library needs for its work – universal, subject-specific, sector-specific or in-house. New classification schemes are added and extended according to the needs of each client, so that the description, arrangement and search of publications follow the system your library uses to organise its collection.

     The system also supports the JEL (Journal of Economic Literature) classification – an internationally established system for classifying literature in the field of economics by subject, maintained by the American Economic Association. JEL divides economics publications into subject areas using alphanumeric codes – for example, E for macroeconomics and monetary economics, and E52 for monetary policy. It is used by academic journals, universities and bibliographic databases to index articles and research. For economics universities, research institutes and specialised libraries, JEL provides classification of the collection in line with international academic practice and makes it easier to find literature on a specific economics topic.

Bulletin – Selected Publications in the Spotlight

     The library team presents new, popular or updated publications in a bulletin. The content is selected and updated manually by the librarian to reflect the library’s priorities.

Acquisitions and New Arrivals – Traceability from Order to Catalogue

     You record deliveries and donations, enter data on the materials received and add them to the catalogue. This way you can see what has been ordered, what has been received and which publications are enriching the collection.

Item Records – Information on Every Copy

     You maintain data on the individual copies of a publication – number of copies, inventory number, location, call number and availability. You can check where a particular copy is and whether it is available or on loan, which makes it easier to locate and account for materials.

Lending – Up-to-Date Information at Every Transaction

     You record loans, returns and renewals of publications, linked to the specific reader and copy. You track due dates, overdue loans, obligations and penalties in accordance with the library’s rules.

Readers and Library Cards – an Organised Service History

     You register readers, create reader records and issue cards linked to their records. The reader’s details, current loans, borrowing history and obligations to the library are available in one place for easier identification and service.

Reservations and Queues – Organised Access to Items on Loan

     Readers can reserve a publication that is on loan and join a queue to receive it. The system keeps track of the order of requests, and librarians monitor waiting readers and the fulfilment of reservations. A copy that becomes available is provided according to the established order.

Stocktaking and Withdrawal – Up-to-Date Collection Records

     You compare actual holdings with registered copies and record any discrepancies found. Missing, damaged or obsolete materials can be recorded, withdrawn or discarded in accordance with the library’s procedures. Filters and export to Excel support the checks, and changes to the collection remain traceable.

Periodicals Management – Traceable Subscriptions and Issues

     You keep track of subscriptions and the arrival of newspapers, magazines and other periodicals. You register the volumes and issues received and check which are expected or missing, so you can monitor the completeness of each title.

Reader’s Personal Account – Library Activities from Anywhere

     Readers see their current loans and due dates, borrowing history, reservations and obligations to the library. They can renew borrowed materials online when the conditions for extending the loan period are met.

Online Requests – Services Without Visiting in Person

     Readers request the online services offered by the library: creating a reader record, issuing a library card, preparing a subject reference by a librarian, subscribing to the bulletin and more. Each request is sent to the library for processing. Readers can also check whether they have any unreturned books.

External Resources – Useful Links in One Place

     From the home page, readers can reach the institution’s website, other libraries – national, university and academic – and reference sources in a single click. The selected links make it easier to access additional information.

Library Presentation – Information for Readers

     A customised page presents the library’s activities, history, services and rules. Together with the contact details, it provides the information readers need to use the library’s services.

Reports and Statistics – a Basis for Reporting and Planning

     You summarise data on the collection, loans and readers. You track the composition and movement of the collection, new arrivals, use of publications, reader activity and overdue loans, so you can plan library activities with up-to-date information.

Roles and Access Rights – Functions According to Responsibilities

     You define staff access to data and operations according to their roles. Access rights distinguish between cataloguing, reader services, reports and administration. Each staff member has the functions they need, and access is managed centrally.

Web Access and Multilingual Support – an Interface for Your Audience

     Staff and readers use the system through a web interface. In addition to Bulgarian and English, it can be provided in other languages according to the library’s preferences and needs.

Import and Export – Convenient Use of Library Data

     The system supports import and export of library information in standard formats such as Excel, Word and PDF, according to the library’s needs. This makes it easier to transfer and use the information outside the system.

Barcodes – Fast Identification and Service

     The system generates barcodes for library copies and reader cards and supports reading them with barcode scanners. This makes it easier to identify readers and to handle loans, returns and stocktaking of the collection.

Implementation and Support

     We implement LibSys Perfect using a project-based approach tailored to the specific library. First, we analyse the user requirements, work processes and operational environment of your organisation. The system is then customised and configured based on the results for optimal functionality – the structure, nomenclatures, classification schemes, record types and workflows are set up to match your actual operations.

     This is followed by deployment, data migration, integration with external systems where needed, and role-based team training. We provide user and administrator guides and technical documentation. Once the system is live, we provide support and upgrades as the library evolves.

     As your partner, we cover the full cycle – consulting, implementation, support and custom software development for specific needs. We combine modern software and user technologies, relational and document databases, and many years of experience with libraries and organisations across various sectors.