Library science software is typically used for internal data storage and the management of information. Some of the most common types of programs are those that can be used to organize where books are in the library, allowing librarians and others to more easily find ones they need. There are also a variety of search tools and utilities that interface with databases, making it easier to navigate the lists and directories of written works. Other library science software can be used to manage digital information or to organize and facilitate membership details for people who visit the library.
Different types of library science software are often developed to satisfy a variety of needs specific to the work and management of a library. Some of the most common programs, for example, are those that create digital catalogs used to organize and manage the books and other works that are on-hand in a library. This software typically includes an extensive database to which new works can be added and old ones removed, as necessary. Such library science software effectively replaces traditional card catalogs or other filing systems that could be used to categorize books based on subject matter, author, and other designations.
Search tools and programs are also popular forms of library science software, including those that are built into organizational programs and separate utilities. These tools allow people to more quickly and easily look through the database of works within a library to find whatever they need. While many programs that organize books can include search functions, tools designed specifically for this purpose can offer more powerful features and additional options. This type of library science software can also include functionality for searching through other systems, such as Internet sites or online databases, all within a single framework.
Other forms of library science software are used to organize and manage employees and staff at a library. These programs can be similar to scheduling and managerial software used in other businesses, though it can also include tools designed specifically for a library setting. Other types of library science software may be required to track information about the books held at a location and the members of that site. As books are checked out or transferred between libraries, the internal database is updated to show that, so that future searches indicate that it is no longer at that location. Programs are often created to add and track members of a library, which communicate with other software to indicate who may be in possession of a certain book at any one time.