Abracadabra.net
Abracadabra.net is a hosted, browser-based library system designed specifically for primary schools.
What Abracadabra.net is
Abracadabra.net is a hosted, browser-based library system designed specifically for primary schools. It supports searching the catalogue, issuing and returning items, producing reports, withdrawing items, and adding stock. The hosted service runs in a browser, with Edge and Chrome named by the maker, and receives automatic updates and daily backups. Schools moving from another library system can request data conversion and continue using existing scanners and bar codes. Packages cover hosting and support, the library management system, conversion, cataloguing, and on-site services. The Library Management System package costs £299, paid once, plus VAT, and includes first-year hosting and support, a scanner, labels, and an email module; hosting and support then costs £199 a year. The software-only package costs £499, paid once and requires schools to install, train themselves, and enter and classify book details; setup may take up to six months. School Library Systems says hosted personal data is based in the UK and protected by technical and organisational measures. The maker has operated since 1997 and offers support, aiming to respond within 24 hours.
Good
- Designed specifically for primary schools
- Hosted service receives automatic updates and daily backups
- Conversion can retain existing scanners and bar codes
- Includes reports, circulation, and stock management
Watch out
- No free plan or free trial
- Software-only setup may take up to six months
- Library Management System has a yearly hosting fee after year one
Who it suits
Abracadabra.net is aimed at primary schools managing book circulation and library stock. Schools should choose a package based on whether they want hosted support, migration, or self-managed setup.
Verdict
Abracadabra.net covers core school library tasks and offers hosted or self-managed package options. The package choice matters: self-installation requires schools to handle training and catalogue data themselves.
Plans and prices
From Abracadabra.net's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting and support | £199 a year | Hosting and support after the first year · Annual |
| Cataloguing service | £299, paid once | One on-site day · typically 1500+ books · travel expenses may apply · Plus VAT; additional days £250 each |
| Library Management System | £299, paid once | High schools +£100 · scanner, labels and email module included · Plus VAT; first year hosting and support included, then £199 hosting and support |
| Move from existing system | £299, paid once | Data conversion · Teams training session · existing scanner and bar codes can be used · Plus VAT; first year hosting and support included, then £199 hosting and support |
| Software package only | £499, paid once | Self-installation · self-training · data entry and book classification done by school · scanner and 6000 labels included |
| Premium (all-in-one) service | £1,299, paid once | Several on-site days · book data entry and Dewey spine labelling completed · scanner and 6000 labels included · Price depends on library book count |
| One day on-site intensive | £799,999, paid once | One on-site day · installation and training included · around 1500 books entered in most schools · Travel or accommodation expenses may apply depending on location |
The facts
Each one read from Abracadabra.net's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Barcode scanner
- The software-only package includes a Cipher Lab barcode scanner for scanning books.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Data migration
- The maker offers conversion from an existing library management system so schools can continue using existing scanners and bar codes.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Data sharing
- The privacy notice says personal information is not shared with third parties, except for a currently unused option concerning non-personal book reviews and reading statistics.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Designed for
- The maker says Abracadabra was designed specifically for primary schools.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Email module
- The Library Management System package includes an email module.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Maintenance
- The maker says the hosted system receives automatic updates and is backed up daily.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Primary features
- The software supports book search, issuing and returning items, reports, withdrawing items and adding new stock.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Product
- Abracadabra.net is a fully hosted, web-based automated library system for managing a school library.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Security and privacy
- The privacy notice says School Library Systems uses appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect hosted personal data and that data is based in the UK only.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Setup limitation
- The software-only package requires the school to install and train itself and enter and classify book details; the maker says setup may take up to six months.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Support
- The maker offers comprehensive support, aims to respond within 24 hours and provides a data retrieval service.checked 8 Oct 2001
Where it runs
- Browser access
- The hosted system runs in a web browser, and the maker names Edge and Chrome.checked 8 Oct 2001
The company
- Founded
- 1997checked 28 Sep 2001
- Headquarters
- Stretford, Manchester, UKchecked 28 Sep 2001
- Maker history
- School Library Systems says it has been established since 1997.checked 8 Oct 2001
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