ProLib - Media Centre Management Software
ProLib can be used in a school library (media centre) of any size.
It caters for an unlimited number of items being processed for an unlimited number of library members. ProLib can operate on a stand alone computer or as part of a network.
Features
Approved by the Education Department.
The software operates on all known open system networks. Currently, it is running on Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP, Millenium, Novell and NT networks
ProLib is fully 2000 and barcode compliant.
ProLib caters for any number of concurrent users on the same network
It has an easy to use comprehensive manual written by a trained school librarian.
ProLib comes pre-loaded with over 5000 subjects, 2000 authors and 1000 illustrators already defined. The user can add an unlimited number of any data item used in the system.
Items
ProLib caters for an unlimited number of material types.
It has total subject cross-referencing, with "see" and "see also" references.
Each item is separately accessioned and fully cross-referenced to call numbers,
subjects, authors, languages, series, illustrators, item types, materials, titles,
publishers, series etc etc
Numeric and alphanumeric Accession Numbers are catered for.
An item can be catalogued as having multiple Titles, Authors, Categories, Series,
Suppliers, Material Types, Languages and Illustrators.
Items can be broken up into Short, Medium, and Long-term loan categories.
Items can be put on a restricted issue list or ‘never to be issued’ lists.
Magazines and Periodicals are catered for.
A restriction list can be built up for a project that allows certain items to be reserved
for a given period for any member or group of members.
An automatic correction routine allows the librarian to define a series of codes that
should be replaced by one correct code. The routine automatically replaces every
reference of the incorrect codes throughout the entire ProLib database.
Weeded items are reflected in the Accessions Register.
Lost items, with associated member payment tracking is included.
Same title items can be catalogued once and copied to the other accession
numbers.
ProLib contains a unique feature in that automatic cataloguing can be used by
entering the ISBN number. ProLib then picks up the standard cataloguing used at
other ProLib libraries from a CD provided by ProGen, and offers this to the
librarian. The data can be amended if required. This facility is of great use to
non-trained librarians.
Items in need of weeding or repair can be "marked" without removing them from the
system.
Members
ProLib caters for any number of library members. Each member has a unique
library number that remains with them for as long as they are a member of the
library.
Members can be broken up into an unlimited number of member types. Each type
can have different rules in terms of loan period, maximum number loans at any one
time, fine values and whether extensions are permitted.
Automatic (but optional) fines can be raised on overdue items with automatic
blacklisting of members that exceed a certain fine value level
An extensive enquiry system allows a person to undertake their own enquiries
without having access to those parts of the system that allow updates to the data.
A year-end class promotion routine easily moves members up and out of the school.
Members can be blacklisted.
Photographs of the library members can be stored within ProLib.
They are automatically displayed whenever the user enters a member’s library
number.
Members can request to view/print their reading history, fine data, overdue items,
and suggested reading lists at any time.
Should the school be running ProEd, ProGen's School Administration System, all pupil movements are automatically fed across into the ProLib system, so the librarian does not have to enter pupil or class data into ProLib.
For those schools who have an Administration System, but not ProEd, an Excel interface providing the same pupil data update functionality is provided.
Reservations, Issues, Returns & Extensions
ProLib contains routines that allow the librarian full control over the above functions whether they run their library on a member by member basis, or whether they work in bulk mode with a class of pupils.
There is a facility to automatically generate a letter to a member if a reserved item is returned to the library.
A fines and payments subsystem is included, with a fine summary letter available at any time.
ProLib caters for bulk issues, returns, extensions and weeded items
ProLib is one of the very few systems available for schools that processes reservations by item title, rather than the simpler and ‘unfair’ method of lodging reservations against an accession number.
All the screens have extensive "lookup" and "help" facilities.
The system caters for automatic Return Dates. ProLib uses the date of issue, the
member type and the item type being borrowed to calculate the return date. The
calculations even allow for holiday periods and whether items can be loaned during
these holiday periods. But at all times the librarian can override ProLib.
Most screens in the system allow one to view/print the member and/or item issue
history, overdue data, fines etc without ever leaving that screen.
Reporting & Enquiries & Statistics
ProLib can print to any type of printer that has been configured into the Windows operating system. It can also print to non-Windows based printers provided their printer control character set is available.
Extensive reporting covers every aspect of the Library.
All the reports can be viewed or printed or stored for later printing.
Wild card searches allow you to find any item even if part of the title is unknown.
Automatic loan statistics per day, week, term and year are available.
The librarian can customise the statistical reporting they require.
Item count facilities report on the number of each type of item in the library by year
accessioned.
A sophisticated stock taking facility, linked to the Returns System, allows the user to
do a rolling stock take at any time.
Stocktaking is simplified by the use of stock take discrepancy reporting.
A built in security (backup) system allows the librarian to secure the data to diskette
or memory stick or CDs and to restore the library data from these mediums if
necessary.
ProLib can print all of the standard label formats required in a library, incluing the
barcode labels for items and membership cards.
Many of our ProLib librarians have remarked that their ProLib software offers features that do not even exist in their supposedly sophisticated municipal and government libraries.
If you would like to arrange a visit to your school by one of our consultants, or would like a demonstration copy of ProLib sent to you, please refer to our Contact Us button on this screen. Once again, thankyou for visiting our web site. We hope that you will join our ever growing, satisfied, user group. ProLib is currently installed in 126 libraries in the Western & Eastern Cape Provinces.
