Database for a small library

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I am trying to set up a database management system for our small community
library. This would need to have details of titles we currently have, as well
as profiles of library patrons, and enable a check out/return option. Can any
one out there please help with some suggestions if this can be done on Access?

Thanks
 
Access is most appropriate for this application!

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Thanks Steve for your response. Are there any templates available for this
application to get me started?

Thanks
 
Thanks Steve for your response. Are there any templates available for this
application to get me started?
Click to expand...

Several... it's a very common Access exercise in fact.

Try a search at http://groups.google.com - use Advanced search, search the
microsoft.public.access.* groups, and search for Library Book Checkout or
similar terms.

Some general Access resources might help too:

Jeff Conrad's resources page:
http://www.accessmvp.com/JConrad/accessjunkie/resources.html

The Access Web resources page:
http://www.mvps.org/access/resources/index.html

A free tutorial written by Crystal (MS Access MVP):
http://allenbrowne.com/casu-22.html

MVP Allen Browne's tutorials:
http://allenbrowne.com/links.html#Tutorials

John W. Vinson [MVP]
 
TM1 said:
I am trying to set up a database management system for our small community
library. This would need to have details of titles we currently have, as well
as profiles of library patrons, and enable a check out/return option. Can any
one out there please help with some suggestions if this can be done on Access?
Click to expand...

A decent library app will likely take you at least a month or three to
build. There are good quality open source free packages available
You can search for such at your favourite search engine.

Alternatively your librarian or such should be able to ask their peers
for what they would suggest in such a system. I'm sure there are
various mailing lists or such that would welcome such help.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
Tony's Microsoft Access Blog - http://msmvps.com/blogs/access/
 
Creating a library application in Access can be a challenge, depending on
the level of complexity you need. There are other sources for library
software that might do the job for you. There are professional quality
library programs available for very low cost ($50...), or even freeware.
Considering how much time it might take to create your own, you might be
better off using something pre-built.

A quick Google search reveals many dozens of vendors selling a wide variety
of library management software. For example, you might look at the
following:

http://directory.google.com/Top/Reference/Libraries/Library_and_Information_Science/Software/

Or, you can find shareware library systems as well, with a search at
www.tucows.com, or even a Google search for "free library software".

You might also be interested in a small library application which I have
created using Access, and which is available as freeware. It includes a
circulation system and an online catalogue. You can check it out here:

http://www3.sympatico.ca/lornarourke/fred.html
 
Hi Fred

Thanks for your help, I have checked your access-based program and it looks
about right for what we need. Will be in touch again if I run into problems

KD
 
You are welcome. I encourage you to email me with any questions - I've yet
to create any documentation. <blush>

BTW, the latest version (2.0) is a completely modifiable template - MDBs not
MDEs...
 
Hi Fred
Just a question on your excellent program. I have been entering the data in
my home computer. After inputting all the data if I saved the entire set of
files which are included in your software bundle, and copied it onto the
computer at our library, would all the info still be there? In other words,
would I be able to carry on entering new data in the other computer or have
to start again from scratch?

Cheers KD
 
Hi Fred
Just a question on your excellent program. I have been entering the data in
my home computer. After inputting all the data if I saved the entire set of
files which are included in your software bundle, and copied it onto the
computer at our library, would all the info still be there? In other words,
would I be able to carry on entering new data in the other computer or have
to start again from scratch?
Click to expand...

PMFJI but... all of the data is in a MDB file. I haven't used Fred's template
so I don't know which is which, but I can say with confidance that a) you can
move the database and b) you won't need to reenter any data.

John W. Vinson [MVP]
 
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