Mandarin

4.7 (60)
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Web-based & fully customizable library automation software

About Mandarin

Mandarin provides library automation software - its flagship M5 product delivering a fully customizable system deployable on the cloud or on-premise. Built with librarians, for librarians, Mandarin M5 targets modern facilities that demand a centralized approach to managing site services while giving patrons the ability to search extensive book catalogs. Mandarin places keyword and visual search portals online, boasting auto-complete and advanced filtering tools, to assist library visitors, researchers and staff find periodicals quickly. Library resources can therefore be queried from any workstation, at the library site itself or remotely, while management features give librarians all the tools for running day to day operations.

Mandarin's cataloging capabilities include the ability to manage items, whether it be the adding, copying, editing or deleting of book records. Pre-built and custom templates assist this process, offering simpler and more advanced editing modes with picture management, MARC records import/export, plus an included equipment database. Circulation management is then supported with circulation calendars, fine calculators, quick return rules, self check-in/check-out and detailed record histories for items or patrons. Mandarin M5 goes on to include an inventory module for running full or partial checks, while reports facilities also cover the printing of barcode labels, book pocket cards, address labels and more. The system boasts over 900+ pre-formatted standard report templates across circulation, inventory, general operations and statistics, with custom reporting options also available.

Pricing starting from:

US$500.00/year

  • Free Version
  • Free Trial
  • Subscription

Key benefits of Mandarin

  • Mandarin is a provider of automated and highly customizable library management systems for smaller or specialist library sites, allowing these facilities to centralize their book catalog and give patrons access to online search portals.
  • As a cloud-based solution, Mandarin promises rapid setup and installation while liberating librarians from the additional costs and efforts required when maintaining a server. Mandarin can however be installed on-premise if preferred.
  • Cataloging features provide tools for adding, copying, editing and deleting book records alongside an included equipment database. The inventory module then enables full or partial inventory checks to be conducted.
  • Circulation features for processing loans, returns, renewals and bookings, plus the ability to query patron or item status, implement late return fines, issue refunds and send email notifications, reminders or warnings.
  • An integrated report generator includes a Report Tool offering 900+ pre-built report types, while custom reports can be created in a matter of steps before sending PDF exports out to shareholders via email.
  • Typical Customers

    • Freelancers
    • Small Businesses (2-50)
    • Mid-size Companies (51-500)
    • Large enterprises (500 and more)

    Deployment

    • Cloud-based
    • On-premise

    Markets

    Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola and 166 others

    Supported Languages

    Chinese, English, French, German, Italian and 3 others

    Pricing starting from:

    US$500.00/year

    • Free Version
    • Free Trial
    • Subscription

    Images

    Mandarin Software - Give library patrons the ability to intuitively search an online catalog of reference resources from anywhere
    Mandarin Software - Keyword and visual searches provide patrons with a user-friendly method of quickly locating the books and periodicals they require
    View 3 more
    Mandarin video
    Mandarin Software - Give library patrons the ability to intuitively search an online catalog of reference resources from anywhere
    Mandarin Software - Keyword and visual searches provide patrons with a user-friendly method of quickly locating the books and periodicals they require

    Features

    Total features of Mandarin: 34

    • Alerts/Notifications
    • Barcode/Ticket Scanning
    • Barcoding/RFID
    • Catalog Management
    • Church Libraries
    • Circulation Management
    • Customizable Branding
    • Customizable Reports
    • Customizable Templates
    • Customization
    • Data Import/Export
    • Equipment Tracking
    • Fee Collection
    • Full Text Search
    • Historical Reporting
    • Inventory Management
    • Multi-Language
    • OPAC
    • Online Catalog
    • Order Management
    • Patron Management
    • Periodicals Management
    • Private Libraries
    • Public Libraries
    • Records Management
    • Reporting & Statistics
    • Reserve Shelf Management
    • School Libraries
    • Search/Filter
    • Self Check-In/Check-Out
    • Self Service Portal
    • Serials Management
    • Third-Party Integrations
    • User Management

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    Reviews

    Overall rating

    4.7 /5
    (60)
    Value for Money
    4.8/5
    Features
    4.2/5
    Ease of Use
    4.4/5
    Customer Support
    4.9/5

    Already have Mandarin?

    Software buyers need your help! Product reviews help the rest of us make great decisions.

    Showing 5 reviews of 60
    Vanessa
    Overall rating
    • Industry: Primary/Secondary Education
    • Company size: 11–50 Employees
    • Used Weekly for 1+ year
    • Review Source

    Overall rating

    • Value for Money
    • Ease of Use
    • Customer Support
    • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

    Great Option for Small Schools at a terrific price

    Reviewed on 2019/04/24

    We have saved money by knowing what is in our inventory. In the past, we have bought duplicate...

    We have saved money by knowing what is in our inventory. In the past, we have bought duplicate copies simply out of poor inventory control. Mandarin allows us to know where everything is at all times.

    Pros

    I love that we have the ability to not only automate our library but can also run our textbook management and electronics management through the Mandarin system. As a small private school, our budget is limited and anything that helps us control inventory and save money in the long-run is a worthwhile investment.

    Cons

    My only complaint is that it is sometimes difficult to find an item on Record Fetch. The system is not very forgiving with typos and not all ISBNs are in the system, even when the book may be. I also wish they would include Usborne Books in the system. We get many of these books donated to the school and have a difficult time logging them in the Mandarin system.

    Marcia
    Overall rating
    • Industry: Education Management
    • Company size: 11–50 Employees
    • Used Daily for 6-12 months
    • Review Source

    Overall rating

    • Value for Money
    • Ease of Use
    • Customer Support
    • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

    Very Good Library Management Software

    Reviewed on 2022/03/29

    We went without a Library Software Management system for 10 years! Our older system (Follett) was...

    We went without a Library Software Management system for 10 years! Our older system (Follett) was outdated and the cost to update it was too much. Mandarin came in and integrated our database with their software so I had a working database again -- and could go from there. It works with our FACTS system so I didn't have to put in any patrons at all. I've felt very supported all along the way and will continue to need support as we move into Inventory this summer. Really a good company!

    Pros

    The company is excellent and the support is by far the absolute BEST I've ever experienced. If I email support or call I'm IMMEDIATELY helped. Outstanding is the best adjective. The software is very user-friendly. I'm not a full-time librarian so there was definitely a huge learning curve for me -- and the software was NOT hard to learn. There's tons of videos to help as well. The company completely integrated our old software program into Mandarin, so I didn't have to do anything -- except clean up our system. It's also fully integrated with FACTS -- our school management system. I'm very happy we went with this company.

    Cons

    I really need to use if for a longer period of time and honestly I don't have anything to compare it to because I'm not a "regular librarian" who might have had experience with other library software -- I have none. But, having said that, I think there are a few things that could be better. To Search for a "missing" book I look in "Status" -- but to do that I have to first go to Catalog and find the book's barcode -- that's an extra step. There should be a way to find who has the book or what the status is without first needing to look up it's barcode. So it's just a little cumbersome. Also, I'm finding that ALL my records are missing some key components that I'm having to add manually to each one. I wish there was a faster way to do that as well. But these are honestly very minor things. Overall, I'm really pleased so far.

    Alternatives Considered

    Follett Destiny Library Manager

    Reasons for Choosing Mandarin

    Cost and wanting a system that was integrated with FACTS and a company that was small enough to be available to help us as we needed it -- not to get some automated answering machine.

    Reasons for Switching to Mandarin

    See above.
    Christopher
    Overall rating
    • Industry: Education Management
    • Company size: 51–200 Employees
    • Used Daily for 6-12 months
    • Review Source

    Overall rating

    • Value for Money
    • Ease of Use
    • Customer Support
    • Likelihood to recommend 0.0 /10

    We were sold something other than what we received.

    Reviewed on 2019/04/24

    When we decided to purchase this software we had very specific needs. We were told everything we...

    When we decided to purchase this software we had very specific needs. We were told everything we wanted to do was already in the system or that the system would do it. Since then we were told it can't do what we were told it could do before we agreed to the contract.

    We are going to reimplement our old system because even though it didn't fit all of our needs it gives us more of what we need than what Mandarin has been able to do.

    We wanted specific data reports at our fingertips and was told it would happen. I have to call in and have them done for me and even then, the results are not completely right.

    We were told this system came with a conference room schedule system and that it would be easy to use. No such thing existed.

    The conversion of our old Database left out important information and books altogether. This is not as big a deal as I can fix this but the interface is not easily customizable nor is it user-friendly to anyone who doesn't know Marc 21.

    Going forward you should really not sell features you do not already have, or you should be willing to develop them for the release.

    Had we known then what we know now we would have gone with another company who could have offered everything we were looking for. We have spent grant money on this system that we felt was the best direction based on the information we were given, only to have it be something different.

    I am sure your system is a perfect fit for a vast majority but for us it is not working.

    Pros

    Visually it was better looking than our previous system.

    Cons

    It didn't do almost everything we were promised it could do.

    Response from Mandarin Library Automation

    Hi Christopher, Thank you for sharing your review. We are very concerned about the experience you are having. We would welcome the opportunity to assist you and correct the issues you have listed. Thank you for your patience. We will also contact you directly to assist.

    Ann
    Overall rating
    • Industry: Libraries
    • Company size: 201–500 Employees
    • Used Daily for 1+ year
    • Review Source

    Overall rating

    • Value for Money
    • Ease of Use
    • Customer Support
    • Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10

    Used it to hand link 4 school libraries

    Reviewed on 2022/01/20

    I loved the professionalism and the service that I got. After using them in an Ohio prison and know...

    I loved the professionalism and the service that I got. After using them in an Ohio prison and know how strong the bid process for companies to land contracts with the state, I knew they would be good for the charter school libraries I was creating in the state of Michigan. After hand linking over 19,500 books with over 4,500 to go and having library aides take over the management of the other 3 libraries while I finished the 4th, I knew I made the right decision.

    Pros

    I like that I got want I needed, the ease of use, and the tech support they gave for the price. I saved over $12,000 over other systems and working in public schools every dime you save can go toward books for the library.

    Cons

    That I had to have 4 different logins for the 4 schools that I had to remember. I also didn't like that I had to call or email them for new login for the staff even though they quickly did them for me.

    Alternatives Considered

    Follett Destiny Library Manager

    Reasons for Switching to Mandarin

    Offered similar bells and whistles for a much cheaper price
    Ronzstah
    Overall rating
    • Industry: Education Management
    • Company size: 501–1,000 Employees
    • Used Daily for 2+ years
    • Review Source

    Overall rating

    • Value for Money
    • Ease of Use
    • Customer Support
    • Likelihood to recommend 9.0 /10

    Mandarin Review

    Reviewed on 2021/04/07

    Inventory issues and also daily transactions that can be so overwhelming

    Inventory issues and also daily transactions that can be so overwhelming

    Pros

    It is easy use read and getting used to also there is less complications when performing daily transactions by just scanning a barcode

    Cons

    a more modernized user interface

    Alternatives Considered

    Koha ILS

    Reasons for Switching to Mandarin

    It had no limit of books to catalogued into the system
    Showing 5 reviews of 60 Read all reviews

    Mandarin FAQs

    Below are some frequently asked questions for Mandarin.

    Mandarin offers the following pricing plans:

    • Starting from: US$500.00/year
    • Pricing model: Free Version, Subscription
    • Free Trial: Not Available

    Annual subscriptions for Mandarin, cloud-hosted, range from $500-$950 depending on library size and patron numbers. On-premise pricing carries a one-time purchase fee of $1250, then $780 annually for each site to cover services and updates.

    Mandarin has the following typical customers:

    Self Employed, 2–10, 11–50, 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000

    Mandarin supports the following languages:

    Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese

    Mandarin supports the following devices:

    We do not have any information about what integrations Mandarin has

    Mandarin offers the following support options:

    Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Phone Support, 24/7 (Live rep)

    Related categories

    See all software categories found for Mandarin.