Handy Library Manager

Very helpful Customer Service

Commentaires : Handy Library Manager has been a great addition to the library. It has made adding books and borrowers a breeze and helps keeps things organized!

Avantages :

Very helpful customer service whenever we have questions or issues. Space to input lots of information regarding each book added. User friendly!

Inconvénients :

Yearly cost for the Auto-Catalog feature.

Good Job, PrimaSoft

Commentaires : Only been using Handy Library for the length of the free trial, and just bought the program a week or so ago. Have yet to have in-person meetings, so have not actually used the program "under fire". But thorough testing suggests things will go smootly

Avantages :

We have a small non-profit organization with a library of about 1250 items - books, magazines and videos. I was able to completely customize Handy Library Manger to our simplified needs. Check Out and Check In require only one or two scans of the barcodes. It doesn't seem to mind if you start with the borrower or the library item. Entry of new borrowers or library items can be done individually or in groups from an Excel spreadsheet. Managing the loans also seems easy, with the option to create personalized reminder emails. And if a change gets made in the item title (like correcting a typo) while the book is checked out, the changed name can still be found by the Check In process.

Inconvénients :

It has been somewhat of a challenge getting the software personalized for our club, but we got it done. There is a very complex Operating Manual that could use a search routine, but we got around that using Google searches.

Library Manager for small libraries

Commentaires : We were using the old card and pocket system to check out books. It was very time consuming. Using the automated import has saved us a tremendous amount of time.

Avantages :

It was very easy to install. Also very user friendly. I also like the support on the web. It helped me to make barcodes and spine labels. I was recommend this to any small library for ease of use and install.

Inconvénients :

Support is to high prices for my small budget. When I would rather buy books for my library.

For a small library (approx 5k books) it gets the job done. We have two rooms on two systems.

Commentaires : We have achieved organization of our books. For 2024 we need to get on the web so our congregants can search for books.

Avantages :

The organization of our books. I like being able to find books by ISBN number and have some of the book descriptions filled automatically.

Inconvénients :

I'm sure there are more features than we know of that might be useful to us. We are thinking of upgrading to 4.3 to use the cloud but we have not made that move yet.

Blessed to have Handy Library Manager

Commentaires : ExcellentProfessional

Avantages :

All its features, how user friendly it is, how it can handle a lot of information and then simply categorize them in a fruitful way

Inconvénients :

Nothing. All is excellent. Thank you so much

PGCPS Psychological Services

Commentaires : We have had a great experience with Handy Library Manager. We have the cloud based with Primasoft hosting our library, as well as the lifetime upgrades. These features have been extremely worth it as we are able to keep our software current, access technical support when needed, and access the information from anywhere despite limitations with our own school district's server use.

Avantages :

Handy Library Manager has been very easy to use. We very much appreciate the extensive tutorials on the website, which easily got us up and running with basic and even some advanced features. It has revolutionized the way that our materials are managed and we have experienced less loss of our supplies. Our staff really like the ability to look up the availability of supplies through the online searchable database.

Inconvénients :

If you are not familiar with sql it can be tricky to know how to create a report that is organized and set up the way you want it, but customer service has been very helpful when we have asked what sql language to use.

Canberra Quilters Library

Commentaires : The product has been easy to learn. We have multiple volunteer assistants who picked up the operation very quickly. We are a not-for-profit quilting guild with a library of approximately 2000 items for members only. The ability to email overdue reminders has been a great help.

Avantages :

Easy to learn the software and support from the vendor has always been helpful and prompt. We had only a limited budget and needed to replace our previous legacy library system. The swap over was smooth and again support was prompt and helpful when requested. We also appreciate that we can have our catalogue hosted by Primasoft with a link available on our website so members can browse the catalogue online.

Inconvénients :

Nothing stands out as a weakness or least liked.

Still Happy

Commentaires : Our experience with the Handy Library Manager is that the software actually promoted our community Library to become known as "very professional". Our clients love the fact that they can be contacted by email, that they can become a member with a Barcode ( just like the big library in town) and that they feel " looked after". We can't do without this product as it truly has given our small town an edge of class without costing us a fortune.

Avantages :

I simply love the Handy Library Manager. Right from the beginning, when I first started to search online for a; Simple, Efficient, Accurate, Reliable and Cost Effective management program, I have been super impressed and happy with my decision to purchase this software. The Handy Library Manager is a compact and streamlined managing system which is easy to navigate and simple to use. The added HELP Tab directs you straight to the problem or issue you are facing and clearly ( with clear diagrams) helps you to work through your problems or issues or questions you may have. Additionally, the tutorial HELP is so quick and easy to learn that you will find yourself mastering the program within minutes. I love it! It has helped me to start our community library without a huge cost or investment in software that you would need a Technology degree to use. The Handy Library Manager has been the starting point of our community Library and 4 years later I am still happy with my choice to press BUY online.

Inconvénients :

As a small community Library, I feel that there is very little to change or add in the program as it suits what we want.

Small school library use software

Avantages :

It's easy to setup, easy to use and reasonable pricing.

Inconvénients :

I would love if barcode generator is available. By having barcode generator will allow us to put the barcode on the book and then enter the item at a later time. Also phone support is not as great. I tried to call during work hour to have support but no answer.

Just what we needed and more

Commentaires : Overall the product is easy to learn even for non techies. We have volunteer assistants who picked up the operation very quickly. Specialized reports and labels are easy to create and modify. A well thought out product that would certainly serve many clubs, schools and other organizations quite well.

Avantages :

Very easy to learn the features and options and integrate them into our needs. The processes are very intuitive and the on-line documentation usually provides several options for completing a task. Support from the vendor has been excellent when needed but was really only sought on a few occasions when we installed "Handy" and went through our initial loads and conversion. Our needs were modest and we got a lot more product for the money with PrimaSoft. Release upgrades have integrated very smoothly and added some new complimentary features. Hats off to Marek, Andre' and the entire staff.

Inconvénients :

Nothing stands out as a weakness or least liked. There are so many strong points for our small club library that currently serves approx 250 members and 1600 volumes of books, videos and magazines.

Good value for money with responsive customer care

Commentaires : My organisation is a charity, and I am a volunteer setting up and running this small library on my own. This product, which I have now been using for about five years, is ideal for such a situation and meets all our needs for the moment.

Avantages :

Very straightforward to use, even for those without IT expertise. Quick responses to support queries & easy upgrades. Autocataloguing works well. Added bonus is that Primasoft make it available on the internet for a small library without a network server.

Inconvénients :

The online help pages need a search function. Autocataloguing does not transfer all the fields (e.g. date of publication). The catalogue does not accept two different editions of the same book with identical titles.

Excellent Product with Excellent Customer Service

Commentaires : Great! We are so happy to have a fully functional library at a decent cost. Thank you Primasoft and [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN] for developing this product!

Avantages :

It is comprehensive, intuitive, and easy to use. There are great help articles and great customer service with [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN] at Primasoft!

Inconvénients :

Not too many cons. However, it is not web based so need to have it installed on a local computer. I chose the server to easily remote in. Took sometime to get it installed but [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN] helped me out every step of the way.

Awesome Support

Commentaires : The overall experience has been wonderful. The system has so many options and we are just transitioning a manual library (old school) to its first bar code system. [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN] patience with tech support is never-ending and appreciated so much!

Avantages :

The features most important to us as the library for a homeowners association were barcoding, easy checkin/out, and having a printed receipt.

Inconvénients :

Unfortunately our Admin Team has very limited IT experience, and nothing in depth regarding setup etc. Therefore, some things that more experienced users would understand were more difficult for us to understand the concept, and thus implement without lots of questions. However, [SENSITIVE CONTENT HIDDEN] has been so helpful and patient with my basic questions and explaining how it all works together. He is a saint.

Affordable library software, good choice for small libraries!

Commentaires : The ease of use is top-notch. This application helps us to run our small
club library, with 3000 items, and 100 members. All club members can easily
check books out and in independently.

Avantages :

Our library is run by volunteer staff. We needed the library system that is easy to implement and use. Handy Library is the software that offers this and more.

Inconvénients :

Auto-cataloging requires support payment. I would like to have this feature for free

Great Library Software

Commentaires : My experience with this software has been great so far. I haven't had almost any issues as this program is easy to use- you just have to spend some time learning a few things and you'll be good to go. The few times that I had an issue, I emailed Primasoft's support and they replied very quickly with the solution to my problem. I'm really glad that I purchased this software and I highly recommend it to any librarians as this would be a great program for anyone to use, even beginners. This program serves our church very well!

Avantages :

Good price, easy to use, 30 day trial version that you can download

Great Library Automation Software

Commentaires : I strongly recommend Handy Library Manager to all librarians. It has almost all functions a library might need and some more. Yet, it is easy to use and flexible. We never had any run-time errors so, it seems very solid. We are using it on a local area network and running it on multiple computers. The performance is quite good and we have more than 20,000 books. On rare occasion when we run into some issues we email the support and get the response very quickly.
Since we may need to access it in the future from some remote locations we are planning to test the Cloud version of Handy Library Manager.

Avantages :

flexibility and ease of use

Inconvénients :

not designed specifically for schools (a minor issue)

A good balance between power and simplicity

Commentaires : Price was right, and the software had all features we needed.
Handy Library Manager provides an easy-to-use graphical interface that can easily be taught to the new librarian in a single teaching session.
I felt that Handy Library Manager program really struck a good balance between power and simplicity. Also, the good thing about the software is that the database is easy to maintain.
I don't hesitate to recommend this program for its affordability and for its capabilities.

Avantages :

reasonable price, good balance between ease of use and functionality

Inconvénients :

you have to buy a bar code scanner from some other source

Great Library Tool for our Quilting Guild

Commentaires : I received the Handy Library Manager for our non-profit Quilting Guild
association: Lakeview Quilters' Guild in Houston Texas. I was tasked with finding a new library software product that met all of the guild's needs, with limited budget. My main reason for buying software from Primasoft was the price was right, and the software had all the required features. We have around 350 members of the guild with close to 2000 quilting specific books for our members to check out at our monthly meetings. We needed to have a piece of software that kept track of what was checked out, by whom, and how many were checked out by that member. If a book was overdue, be able to send reminders to the members to return the book. Handy Library provides all this and more. We have volunteers run our library, with a new librarian each year. They may not be computer literate, as their expertise
is in quilting. Handy provides an easy to use Graphical interface that can
easily be taught to the new librarian in a single teaching session. I would recommend this software for any non-profit or small group needing Library software

Avantages :

Ease of use