EVERYTHING XIAOMI
Get listed

OpenLibry

OpenLibry is free, open-source software for managing a school library, with circulation, cataloguing, member records, and reporting tools.

Place
#15 of 22
Score
6.0

What OpenLibry is

OpenLibry is free, open-source software for managing a school library, with circulation, cataloguing, member records, and reporting tools. Users can check books in and out with one click, and barcode scanners are supported. ISBN lookup can fill catalog records with metadata from OpenLibrary and the German National Library. Member management covers students and classes, including Excel imports and class advancement. Reports include loan summaries, reminders, and statistics, with CSV export. Schools can install the software on their own server or a Raspberry Pi, without a cloud service. The maker says data remains with the user and local installations do not use external servers. The source code is available under the MIT License. Installation is documented for Docker or bare metal; the Docker guide calls for a Linux server or desktop, including Raspberry Pi OS, with at least 2 GB of RAM and 2 GB of free storage. The software is aimed at school libraries, including those run by volunteer helpers. Setup help is available through email, and there is a Discord community.

Good

  • Free and open source under the MIT License.
  • Barcode scanners are supported for circulation.
  • ISBN lookup uses two book data sources.
  • Reports can be exported as CSV.
  • Runs locally without a cloud service.

Watch out

  • Docker installation calls for at least 2 GB RAM.
  • Docker installation calls for 2 GB free storage.
  • No free trial is listed.

Who it suits

OpenLibry suits school libraries that want to manage lending and member records on their own equipment. Its intended audience includes libraries run by volunteer helpers.

Verdict

OpenLibry brings common school library tasks into locally installed software, with circulation, cataloguing, membership, and reports. Schools willing to manage an installation can choose Docker or bare-metal deployment.

Plans and prices

From OpenLibry's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2001.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
OpenLibryFreeFree, open source school library software · locally installable · Kosten für immer

The facts

Each one read from OpenLibry's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Audience
OpenLibry is intended for school libraries, including libraries run by volunteer helpers.checked 8 Oct 2001
Catalog
The book catalog supports automatic metadata lookup by ISBN.checked 8 Oct 2001
Data hosting
OpenLibry can run on a school’s own server or Raspberry Pi, without a cloud service.checked 8 Oct 2001
Install options
The maker documents Docker installation and a bare-metal installation option.checked 8 Oct 2001
Integrations
ISBN lookup uses OpenLibrary and the German National Library as book data sources.checked 8 Oct 2001
License
The source code is available under the MIT License on GitHub.checked 8 Oct 2001
Loans
Users can check books in and out with one click, and barcode scanners are supported.checked 8 Oct 2001
Member management
The software manages students and classes, supports Excel imports, and includes class advancement.checked 8 Oct 2001
Privacy
The maker says data stays with the user and that the locally installed software uses no external servers.checked 8 Oct 2001
Purpose
OpenLibry is free, open-source software designed to help manage school libraries.checked 8 Oct 2001
Reports
Reports include loan overviews, reminders, and statistics, with CSV export.checked 8 Oct 2001
Requirements
The Docker guide lists a Linux server or desktop, including Raspberry Pi OS, with at least 2 GB RAM and 2 GB free storage.checked 8 Oct 2001
Support
The maker points users to a Discord community and offers help getting started by email.checked 8 Oct 2001

Alternatives to OpenLibry

All alternatives
  1. 1

    Librarika

    Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI
    7.4From $11.58 a month
    Visit
  2. 2

    ReadByte

    Web
    6.9From £8.25 a month
    Visit
  3. 3

    ResourceMate

    WebLinuxmacOSWindows
    6.8From $18.33 a month
    Visit
  4. 4

    LibraryWorld

    AndroidiOSWeb
    6.7From $45.83 a month
    Visit
  5. 5

    Pinakes

    Free planAndroidWebAPISelf-hosted
    6.7Free plan
    Visit
  6. 6

    SLiMS

    Free planWebLinuxmacOSSelf-hosted
    6.4Free plan
    Visit