Libraries are more than just shelves of books—they’re powered by some seriously cool technology.
Here’s your ultimate guide to decoding the jargon and impressing your librarian friends.
Not to be confused with a learning management system, a Library Management System (LMS) is the software that keeps everything organized. It tracks books, users, checkouts, returns, and overdue items—yes, it knows exactly how long you’ve had that book about knitting!
Take a Library Management System and supercharge it! An Integrated Library System (ILS) also known as an Integrated Library Management System (ILMS), brings all the library’s services—cataloging, circulation, acquisitions, and reports—under one digital roof. Think of it as a library’s brain, keeping everything running smoothly, from book orders to patron records.
An excellent ILS does more than just track books; it’s like a library superhero! Here’s what it can do:
Think of a discovery layer as the library’s own Google. It’s a search tool that lets users explore books, e-books, journal articles, and more—all in one place. Instead of hopping between databases, a discovery layer fetches all the best results and presents them like a curated selection of resources.
A digital library is like a regular library but without the physical bookshelves. It’s an online collection of e-books, audiobooks, research papers, and other digital resources. It’s open 24/7, has zero late fees, and won’t judge if you browse in your pyjamas.
A digital repository is the ultimate storage vault for important documents, archives, and research papers. Universities and institutions use it to keep knowledge safe and share it with the world. If a digital library is your go-to bookstore, a digital repository is the deep archives—where history, research, and knowledge are preserved forever.
An Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) is basically the library’s search engine. Want to know if the library has that rare book on the history of cheese? OPAC can tell you. It’s the librarian’s best friend and a patron’s first stop when looking for a book, journal, or digital resource.
Libraries use security measures such as encryption, access controls, and secure user authentication to protect sensitive information, including user borrowing records and personal details. Many Integrated Library Systems also comply with data privacy regulations, such as GDPR or HIPAA, depending on the region and industry requirements. For instance, Softlink’s ILS has secure data protection in compliance with ISO27001 standard and ISO27018 for cloud privacy. Also, our data centres have Information Security Registered Assessor Program (IRAP) compliance.
AI is increasingly integrated into Library Management Systems to improve functionality and user experience. Examples include automated cataloging, personalized recommendations, and predictive analytics. A practical example of this in action is Liberty Link’s AI-enhanced scan feature. With this tool, library staff can use the app to select a resource, photograph a page of text—such as an abstract—and the AI will extract and insert that text into a field within the resource’s catalogue record. From there, the content can be easily copied into the relevant fields of the record as needed.
