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Mandarin Features
Features Summary
Functionality
4.2
/5
57
Total features
27
2 categories
Mandarin features
Common features of Catalog Management software
Screenshots
Contenders comparison
Common Mandarin comparisons
Reviewers who mentioned features said:
Vanessa B.
Primary/Secondary Education, 11-50 employees
Used weekly for 1-2 years
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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.
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.
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 C.
Education Management, 11-50 employees
Used daily for 6-12 months
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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 Our older system (Follett) was outdated and the cost to update it was too much.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!
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.
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...
Christopher R.
Education Management, 51-200 employees
Used daily for 6-12 months
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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...
Visually it was better looking than our previous system.
It didn't do almost everything we were promised it could do.
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.
ana r.
Religious Institutions, 1-10 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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The process of library status, the library transactions and the reports.
It's easy and friendly to use. The size of the letters, and the space in the templates.
Update the manual not only the video tutorials.
Ann L.
Libraries, 201-500 employees
Used daily for 1-2 years
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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.
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.
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.
Ronzstah N.
Education Management, 501-1,000 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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Inventory issues and also daily transactions that can be so overwhelming
It is easy use read and getting used to also there is less complications when performing daily transactions by just scanning a barcode
a more modernized user interface
Joel W.
Education Management, 51-200 employees
Used daily for 6-12 months
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The entire Mandarin team made the transition from Destiny easy and we lost no data. After the implementation we have received superior customer support (unlike Destiny) and the Mandarin teams seems to be able to solve any problem.
Mandarin is one of those systems that is built for the end user. It is simple and logical to use, powerful, but not overly complex. Darn near perfect.
Some of the back end features could be made more user friendly for those of us who manage the application.
Kelly P.
Libraries, 1-10 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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Excellent customer service
M5 is super easy to use and manage however, if a problem arises, the tech support at Mandarin responds quickly and delivers a solution fast so that we can continue to serve our community.
The reports are sometimes hard to navigate in order to get the correct info, however, tech support is always helpful in working with me to adjust the reports to what I need.
Verified reviewer
Research, 51-200 employees
Used daily for 1-2 years
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Mandarin has helped patrons to access the contents of the library collection in the comfort of their homes. Information is simply a click away.
Mandarin is a server based software. This makes it cheap. With one license, numerous client computers access the application. Therefore, patrons access the library collection through the client computers. I have noticed that members of Technical Service Department of the library speed up work all thanks to client-server functionality on Mandarin. Patrons are able to access the library collection...
Much as the software is efficient, less developed communities with poor internet infrastucture may find the software irritating due to internet connectivity issues. Beside, not all titles can be found on record Fetch. This compels catalogues to look for alternative sources of information. This process consumes time
Mary P.
Primary/Secondary Education, 11-50 employees
Used daily for 6-12 months
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Mandarin Library creates a public face for our school that expands the resources that we can house on campus. It is a great marketing tool of academic resources that we can easily put within student/parent reach. I love the customized look I can give to my home page. Mandarin Library is a fun and intuitive program that meet budgetary constaints while allowing me to expand in new ways. I was nervous about learning a new system and found the changes made everything easier in library management. Again, Technical Support is a phone call away and they are the most patient, kind staff of experts that speaks volumes about this company.
We are a Classical School Pre-K thru 12 - This software has made my job easier and saves me time. The transition from our old system to Mandarin was amazing. I was happy with the ease of implementing the new system and tech support patiently guided any questions. I can't say enough good things about tech support - I love the speed & ease of inputting new records and barcodes for classroom sets of...
What is there not to like? I love this software!!!
Chad S.
Libraries, 51-200 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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The switch to Mandarin from RenWeb library was a breeze. They handled all of it on their end. After a small learning curve I was up and running, with SO many more tools at my disposal than I ever had before... things I didn't even know I needed but now couldn't imagine going without. We used RenWeb because it was built-in to the SIS we already paying for. It was EXTREMELY bare bones, but it was free. Mandarin was an enormous step up at a great price. I wish I had switched sooner.
Easy to use. Value for the money. Quick response to customer service inquiries. Records (new enrollments) automatically update from SIS (FACTS/RenWeb). Record Fetch is great!
OPAC not customizable enough. Financials do not integrate with SIS (FACTS/RenWeb).
Donna F.
Primary/Secondary Education, 11-50 employees
Used daily for 1-2 years
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We were required to switch from our current library software because the provider was discontinuing the service.
First, the purchase process which was simple, helpful and professional. Second, the installation process: loading my library data, testing and support - especially the webinar presentation and followup. Third, technical support: rapid, on-time and professional. I got a call or e-mail with a rapid and complete response.
Well, it's hard to find an issue, but what I would improve is the searchability and content of the online resources. I had a question about cataloging serial publications and couldn't access what I wanted.
Stella M.
Education Management, 201-500 employees
Used daily for 6-12 months
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Okay. Tech support is amazing, though.
Can be accessed on any computer Great technical support
The transfer of data from our old system to this one was mediocre at best (Came on board when the transfer had already occurred). I have to visit EVERY book and re-enter spine info. Also quite a few books were lumped in as bib-holdings for totally different books. I understand the imported data may have been in very bad shape as well. However the ability to change multiple records in Mandarin is time consuming and extremely cumbersome. I would have liked to see rows of books in spreadsheet format and be able to edit that way. As it is TOO many screens to scroll to before you can make the edits.
Hi Stella, We will have a technical support representative contact you ASAP. It looks like we have been able to assist you based on your email below. We are glad we were able to assist you. Alex, I just spoke with you and you were able to show me a MUCH faster way to edit these bib-holdings. THANK YOU. Best regards, Stella Marquez PE Teacher FACTS SIS Administrator M5 Library Administrator Blessed Sacrament School, Sandy UT
Ann B.
Libraries, 11-50 employees
Used daily for 6-12 months
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I inherited a very poorly cataloged collection: corrupt classification, lost records, level one (or less) catalog- ing, lack of subject headings... The MLA system empowers me to provide the best bibliographic database I can create for my students. Price point is exceptional, MLA system is user-friendly, robust and secure. I am one happy catalog librarian.
The learning curve made for a very easy transition to learn the system and get to work. I did reports, inventory, edits of existing records and learned to use "Fetch" for my MARC cataloging needs in a very short time. I am delighted that the system adheres to national standards in bibliographic MARC. I feel secure with the MLA system that my work will not be corrupted or lost at anytime.
As an experienced professional cataloger, I would like to see the policies that govern the system to better understand display functions.
Verenaisi B.
Education Management, 201-500 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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1. Not tried 'Inventory' yet. How do we stock-take using a 'databar reader' to scan books on shelves 2. Like running statistical reports for institutional reports 3. Need to spare time to fully explore and familiarize myself and my team on all aspects and modules of M5 4. Need to recreate home page of our CMI M5 to include all Collections held in the library
Using its Main Search interface for copy cataloging, especially running "Record Searches".
Groups Modules - seems very complicated.
Mollissa L.
Libraries, 51-200 employees
Used daily for 2+ years
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Excellent! As always, the technical support team at Mandarin is outstanding. Their response speed, willingness to help, follow through, and accessibility is the best.
Easy to use, M5 Reports seems easier than old method
Would like more kid friendly features, such as video book trailer ability
Jorge C.
Used daily for 1-2 years
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Your online technical support is fast and effective
This quick tool facilitates your work by its great search capacity, oriented to the format of those we know on the web
Taking into account that the software is quite complete, there are functions that could be changed and give more information to the material or document that is already expired or that is no longer being used
Thank you Jorge. We appreciate your feedback.
Laura F.
Primary/Secondary Education, 11-50 employees
Used daily for 6-12 months
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I am pleased with the Mandarin System and their Support staff.
The software was easy to learn and is user-friendly in our library. I would recommend this product to other private schools needing library automation.
Once the books were added to the inventory, making corrections in the edit function could be challenging resulting in more errors.
Verified reviewer
Education Management, 51-200 employees
Used monthly for 2+ years
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Overall Mandarin has been wonderful for managing our library needs. Reports, email to patrons, entering books, etc. all go fairly smoothly. When we do have a problem or question Mandarin support is quick to respond and great to work with.
Love that it is easy to learn and has fantastic customer support! Much easier to use than larger library software systems I've used in the past. The conversion from the old system to this one was very smooth. Very affordable.
Having to switch between the Equipment, Textbook and General Library databases is sometimes confusing. One often forgets on the first search for an item and has to go back and re-search.
David K.
Libraries, 1-10 employees
Used daily for less than 6 months
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Our 30,000-volume, volunteer-run genealogy library recently upgraded its OPAC to Mandarin's web-based M5 platform. It's paid huge and immediate dividends. Searches take a fraction of the time; the page interface and faceted search functions are much more user friendly; and it is an all-around more versatile tool for patrons and staff. Moreover, Mandarin's customer and tech support have been top-notch throughout this process. Migrating data to a new system, and customizing that system to your organization's needs, is no small thing. This team could not have been more responsive, easing our stress considerably. We are a special interest, non-circulating collection, but I would not hesitate to recommend M5 to other libraries as well.
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Nicholas M.
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I have enjoyed seeing the development of the services offered to our school as a library patron on staff at our school. Stepping into the role of Librarian allowed me to use the product much more extensively for management purposes. The staff at MLA Solutions offered training to help with this transition and over the years has aided me in applying the software features in our library setting. Due...
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Henie K.
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Mandarin was one of the first software companies to provide display of different languages to smaller libraries. Many years ago this capability existed for university libraries but not high school libraries. I am a librarian in a high school that teaches in three languages - English, French and Hebrew. I needed this capability and Mandarin has consistently continued to provide this option. They...
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Nina L.
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As a Mandarin customer since 1996, I depend upon the Oasis system to deliver consistent and powerful service for patrons and library staff alike. The face that Oasis presents to patrons is user friendly and intuitive while the face that Oasis presents to the professional library staff is that of a robust and flexible toolkit. With technical support folks a mere phone call or email message away, knowing...
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Henie K.
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I have been using Mandarin/Oasis for 10 years. I had looked at 4 different systems at 4 other high schools in the Montreal area. I liked the clear simple interface, without the template boxes, the best, and closest, to the interfaces the junoir colleges used at the time. The system is easy to use, and the team at Mandarin produce updates, taking into account librarian requests at least once a year. The tech team are exceptionally responsive to questions, problems that may arise, to producing customized reports. The ease of which one can use many languages is important for me, as we teach three languages at our school. I rate this product very highly.
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Patty L.
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Mandarin serves our diverse needs for cataloging, processing, circulation, and collection management--with a wonderful, caring, and very accessible Mandarin staff and support group right there to assist us at any time. We are deeply grateful and appreciative of your presence and assistance over all the years we have worked with Mandarin!
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