In today’s rapidly evolving world of library and information management, choosing the right Integrated Library System (ILS) can transform your library’s operations and enhance the user experience. This guide will walk you through what an ILS can do for your organization, the key considerations to keep in mind, the must-have features to look for, and the practical steps to make the right choice. And if you pair it with our latest webinar, Time to Switch? How to Know (and Do) an ILS Upgrade Right, you’ll have both the strategy and the confidence to take your next step.
What an Integrated Library System Can Do for Your Organization
An ILS isn’t just software – it’s a strategic partner that helps you deliver more impact with fewer resources. Whether you manage a corporate, legal, government, or research library, an effective ILS will automate repetitive tasks so cataloging, check-ins, and renewals no longer consume hours of your week. It will also consolidate resource management including physical and digital resources, as well as subscriptions in the one system, reducing oversights and preventing missed renewals. Other benefits include simple and secure user access through self-service tools, actionable insights with reporting, and platform integration for eBooks and other media.
Key Considerations When Choosing an ILS
Selecting an ILS is a critical decision that requires careful thought. Focus on these key factors to ensure the system meets your library’s unique needs:
- Customization and Usability: Choose a system that’s easy to use and can be tailored to your library’s workflows. Features like intuitive search options and customizable homepages make a big difference.
- Flexibility and Scalability: Look for a solution that grows with your library and adapts to changes, whether you’re managing physical, digital, or hybrid collections.
- Integration Capabilities: Ensure the ILS supports industry standards and integrates with other tools, such as eBook providers or other media platforms.
- Support for Digital Resources: If your library focuses on digital collections, make sure the ILS can handle eBooks, audiobooks, and multimedia effectively.
- Customer Support and Training: Reliable support and ongoing training are essential to ensure your team can make the most of the system.
- Cost vs. Value: Assess the system’s long-term value, considering both affordability and the functionality it delivers to your library.
Must-Have Features to Look For
When evaluating ILS options, look for features that provide value for both staff and users. Essential capabilities include customizable dashboards and carousels to promote resources directly on your homepage, a mobile app for global library access, advanced cataloging tools like Z-cataloging and embedded PDF’s, and Single Sign-On (SSO) so users log in once for full access. Other features to look for include comprehensive digital resource management and engaging communications, such as cover images in email updates for your library’s resource listings.
5 Steps to Finding the Right ILS
Now that you are aware of what an ILS can do for your organization, the key considerations to keep in mind, the must-have features to look for, here are five practical steps to help make an informed decision on a new system:
- Assess Your Current System: Identify what’s working, what’s not, and what features or capabilities your current system lacks.
- Define Your Priorities: Determine your library’s unique requirements – such as support for digital resources, improved user experience, or better reporting tools.
- Research Options: Compare features, read reviews, and explore solutions like Softlink’s Liberty Digital that cater to a variety of library needs.
- Engage with Vendors: Schedule product demonstrations and ask detailed questions about customization, integration, and costs.
- Get Stakeholder Buy-In: Involve decision-makers and ensure everyone understands the benefits of the new system and their role in implementing it.
How the Webinar Complements This Guide
In our 30-minute session, Time to Switch? How to Know (and Do) an ILS Upgrade Right, you’ll see how to spot the early warning signs that your system is slowing you down, calculate the hidden costs of staying put, and navigate the upgrade process with clarity.
You’ll walk away understanding:
- The top signs it’s time to change systems.
- The risks and opportunity costs of delaying an upgrade.
- How to gather requirements, prepare your team, and clean up your data.
- Who to involve in the decision-making process.
- How to plan a smooth, phased implementation.
- Common pitfalls to avoid, from rushing demos to overlooking training.
Your Next Step
If your current system is holding your library back, now is the time to explore a better option. Liberty Digital is designed for special, corporate, legal, and government libraries that need powerful resource management, advanced digital support, and integrations that keep them future-ready.
To get started, watch the Webinar recording, review your library’s priorities using the ILS Change Readiness Checklist, then speak to us again to see how Liberty Digital can work for you.