Book Systems has provided the church library automation industry with software and support for nearly two decades.

Features for Church Library Automation

Concourse was designed with levels to allow churches the option to start their library automation process slowly and add more features as the library needs them. Each level has all of the features of each of the levels preceding it. Described below you will find a brief description of each level followed by a more detailed list of features that are included in each of the levels. If you prefer, we also have a features by level chart.

• Personal Version
• Level 2
• Level 3
• Level 4

Personal Version

The Personal Version is just right for church pastors, professors, home schooling, or anyone who needs to catalog a personal library. This version offers browsing, searching, cataloging, and reporting functions suitable for a personal library.

Cataloging

• Add and edit item records quickly and easily.
• Prevent title duplication; automatically prompts for comparison of items with similar titles.
• Add copies of items in seconds.
• Classify using the Dewey Decimal System, LC Classification, or your own!
• Use Sears or Library of Congress subject headings
• Integrates seamlessly with eZcat for fast, easy, and reliable retrospective conversions
• Define keyboard shortcuts to move between functions, reports, etc. Shortcuts are specific for each user; quicker and easier than using the mouse.
• Catalog all types of media -- books, records, audio tapes, video recordings, maps, etc.
• Use DoubleCheck, an exclusive feature of Concourse, to display catalog records electronically so you can check the work of volunteers and workers.

Print/Report Capabilities

• Sort results and reports in ascending or descending order.
• Configure and print reports in your specified format.
• Save report configurations for later use; modify saved configurations when necessary.
• Generate lists of holdings by material type, age group, location, classification, and circulation type.
• Generate spine and pocket labels.
• Generate Study Program labels
• Generate catalog cards - shelf list or full set.
• Generate Shelf List, Accession List, and many other reports from menu options.

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Level 2  

Level 2 is perfect for the church library that doesn't want to circulate materials via computer and doesn't need MARC 21 capabilities. This Level provides browsing, searching, cataloging, and reporting functions. Additionally, it provides an Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) and inventory features.

Note: Level 2 includes all the features of the Personal Version listed above

Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)*

• Use a variety of search options to locate an item quickly and accurately; Easy Word, Visual, Simple, Power, Expert, and Study Programs Search are as simple as clicking a picture or typing a word and pressing the Enter key.
  
• Configure the background of the OPAC screen.
  
• Create messages for a scrolling marquee. Messages may be about library hours, new books, community events, etc.
  
• Create a hyperlink to the Internet that automatically displays on the main screen.
  
• Keep your patrons focused on searching by configuring the main display so that the Exit button is hidden.
  
• View statistical information about the number of searches done from each OPAC terminal on the network.
  
  * Online means on the computer searching; does not require Internet access.

Inventory

• Inventory a section of your library or inventory the entire library collection (while the library is open)
  
• Generate inventory lists. Get a list of missing items, items that are out-of-order, or lost items.
  
• Move items from one location to another and/or change the circulation type using a scanner.
  
• Perform inventory with a portable barcode reader.
  
• Print a Holdings Summary that provides information about how many items you have, how many items are in, out, reserved, or lost.

Administration

• Establish login names and passwords for all workers.
  
• Set up worker permissions, limiting or expanding worker authorization for certain functions within the program.
  
• Set up item classes, such as material types, age groups, circulation types, report classes, and locations.
  
• Generate a Collection Aging Report (an item list by copyright year) to assist you in weeding out-of-date items in your collection.

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Level 3

Level 3 is tailored to the church library that wants to track circulation via computer but does not need MARC 21 capabilities. This level provides browsing, searching, cataloging, and reporting functions. In addition to OPAC and inventory features, it provides features needed for both circulation and patron entry.

Note: Level 3 includes all the features of the Personal Version and Level 2 listed above.

Circulation

• Checkout items to patrons quickly and accurately.
• Check in items from patrons quickly and accurately.
• Move patrons from one class to another
• Assign special due dates when needed.
• Reserve materials by item ID number, title, author, or subject.
• Reposition or Remove patrons from the reserve queue
• Assess, waive, and collect fines.
• Generate circulation receipts with or without a receipt printer.
• Generate overdue notices as cumulative lists and/or individual notices.
• Generate statistical reports, for any date range, based on patron classes, report classes, money paid/waived, items added/deleted, or patrons added/deleted.
• Generate due date slips as needed.
• Generate lists of overdue items in call number order for shelf verification before sending notices.
• Generate estimated fine reports
• Generate patron address labels
• Review an item's status (in, out, reserved, or lost).
• Review a patron's record for items currently on loan, overdue, reserved, fined, etc.
• Review the history of a patron or an item for a specific date range.
• Track in-house usage statistics

Administration

• Establish login names and passwords for all workers.
  
• Set up worker permissions, limiting or expanding worker authorization for certain functions within the program.
  
• Set up item classes, such as material types, age groups, circulation types, report classes, and locations.
  
• Generate a Collection Aging Report (an item list by copyright year) to assist you in weeding out-of-date items in your collection.
  
• Set up your patron classes, establishing loan restrictions
  
• Review transactions by patron or item
• Review transactions by type (checkin, checkout, sent e-mail/letter, modify patron, etc.)

Reports

• Generate various patron and item reports
  
• Generate various statistical reports

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Level 4

Level 4 is the most professional version, which is perfect for church libraries that receive cataloging data from book vendors in MARC 21 format. This Level provides browsing, searching, cataloging, and reporting functions. In addition to OPAC, inventory features, circulation and patron entry features, it also provides MARC 21 record support and professional input/output capabilities.

Note: Level 4 includes all the features of the Personal Version and Level 2 and 3 listed above.

Cataloging

• Import MARC records.
  
• Export MARC records.
  
• Filter records before export.

Contact Linda Ward for more information about the levels as well as pricing based on your church's annual operating budget.