Open source software for library of things?
Open source software for library of things?
A local library of things is moaning about the crap back end of their systems and I wondered whether anybody could recommend something more user friendly.
They currently use https://www.lend-engine.com/ . I would love it if something like https://evershop.io/ could be used with it's sweet UX... Any other ideas? 🙏
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Why not use regular library software? Surely there's a FOSS solution there.
Thanks, I saw this and discounted because of the books focus but perhaps it's easy enough to add different categories. I'll take another look đź‘Ťđź‘Ť
Have also had this suggested https://www.odoo.com/app/rental
I guess you only really need to be able to add pictures, maybe a barcode, and time tracking, right? None of that's book specific.
There's usually a fee for borrowing items so it would need to connect to a payment system đź‘Ť
Oh. That sounds less like a library and more like a hire service.
Yes you're probably right. It's called library of things locally. The hire costs are very low but necessary for sustainability of the scheme
Things often have various maintenance cycles that need to be maintained. Most tools require regular safety checks (usually performed by user right before use) that you probably don't want to depend on the public for. Batteries may need to be charged or changed. Oil changes and the maintenance of other consumable parts. Firmware updates. Licensing (and maintaining a record of licensing) for said firmware or software. Warranty timelines for repair or replacement. Maintenance that needs to be done after each use, every time interval, or only (or especially) if the thing sits unused.
I would guess that at least some library software would have the ability to track maintenance needs or at leat damage state. But yeah, maybe not the periodic stuff.