Pricing model: Free, One Time License
Annual subscriptions for Mandarin, cloud-hosted, range from $750-$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.
11 reviewers had the following to say about Mandarin's pricing:
Mandarin is a wonderfully affordable program that has many bells and whistles for the price.
Pros
Ease of use
Tech Support is very helpful. You can either watch videos or call for personal support.
Cons
search function for entering MARC records
Rating breakdown
Likelihood to recommend: 10/10
Mandarin provides an affordable and easy-to-implement integrated library package (cataloging, circulation, public access interface). It continues to offer more features and the IT support department has been very helpful when a bit of tweaking is needed.
Pros
Versatile library automation with room to accommodate new features. Good software support - very available. Great price for small libraries.
Cons
This company's products are geared for elementary and high schools. The OPAC features reading-level categories which are not necessary for specialized libraries and those serving adults. However these features can be removed by Mandarin support. There are some problems in the cataloging software when adding subsequent subdivisions (involving punctuation). But these can be worked around. It would be great to have more options for the public visual search interface (like font style, colors, etc.) and general layout.
Rating breakdown
Likelihood to recommend: 8/10
Overall, I love Mandarin and would recommend it. I am in my first year with this product, so occasionally I have questions. The customer service has always been kind, helpful, and quick.
Pros
I love that my card catalog is available online to families and is so user friendly for them. They love the visual search and recommended reading pages! The gallery is also a nice bonus, as is the blackboard. It is also extremely helpful that you can customize your searches to narrow down your results. Also, I, as an administrator, like how easy it is to carry out transactions for the students.
Cons
Filling in values for book information gets a little confusing. Adding a book using the ISBN is a great feature that automatically fills in most information needed. However, if you must manually add a book, then it is tedious looking up what information goes into what value number and field/sub-field.
Rating breakdown
Likelihood to recommend: 10/10
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
As an experienced professional cataloger, I would like to see the policies that govern the system to better understand display functions.
Rating breakdown
Likelihood to recommend: 10/10
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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.
Rating breakdown
Likelihood to recommend: 10/10
There are about 30 public libraries in Ontario using various versions of Mandarin M3/Mandarin Oasis. The system has been a solid performer over the years, at a price that is reasonable and manageable for smaller libraries. When we were looking for a system that would allow each library to use the system independently, and without an onsite IT person, Mandarin was the one that seemed to be the best fit. Check-in, check-out, holds, catalogue searches - all of those basic functions are easy to manage within this system, and easy to explain to new staff or volunteers coming into the library. A good choice.
Rating breakdown
Mandarin has helped patrons to access the contents of the library collection in the comfort of their homes. Information is simply a click away.
Pros
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 remotely online. In the wake of COVID-19, the library continued offering services despite the staff and patrons remaining in their homes.
Cataloguing staff now have less work load as Mandarin allows them to perform copy cataloguing. Pre-recorded information of the resource is retrieved using record Fetch.
Mandarin offers patrons with a good interface which helps them to search the contents of the library using topics, words or terms. More still, the advanced search features help patrons to filter searching into narrow specific terms.
Mandarin provides patrons with links to e- books, audio books and other digital resources, making the library to become a digital one.
Mandarin improves inventory control in the library system. Records pertaining to accessions list, books on order and other files are well managed.
Cons
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
Rating breakdown
Likelihood to recommend: 9/10
When our Student Information System decided to get rid of their library system we had been using for years I didn't know where to begin. Mandarin provides a lot for the cost and has met the needs of our small school library.
Pros
It is easy to catch on to the features and how it works. It has a lot of neat things you can customize, many we have not used yet, but I hope we will in the future. Customer support has always been easy to reach and very knowledgable and helpful.
Cons
Some things don't seem intuitive for me, but support is always quick to respond when I can't figure something out or find the answer in documentation.
Rating breakdown
Likelihood to recommend: 10/10
Our small but very busy community library in a small Maine town has been with the Mandarin system for several years. Their product gets better with each upgrade, the technical support when needed is timely and we are usually not impacted by "fixes." Mandarin has allowed us to move our library forward with new technology, ideas and services that ensure our library keeps up with our patrons' ever changing needs. The Library Governing Board and I recommend Mandarin as an affordable, reliable and excellent system.
Rating breakdown
I have had a great experience with Mandarin. Anytime I've needed help, the tech department has been quick to help me. They guide me in ways that are easy to incorporate on my end. They also are very mindful of things that need to be fixed on their end. The cost is wonderful. This system is worth every penny. My overall experience has been wonderful! For a lady who doesn't like change, Mandarin has been a great help!
Pros
What I like most about the software is the ease of the transition from one system to another. Our school had to change from another system. Mandarin was the best choice for our school for a change that wasn't an option. I find features in M5 that I never had in the other system. My favorite is the ability to add new books to the system with ease.
Cons
This is not so much an issue for people who do understand code. But I had a bit of an issue with it at the beginning. I am learning what each number stands for and how to utilize it when I'm adding an item or updating something in the system.
Rating breakdown
Likelihood to recommend: 10/10
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.
Pros
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 books in minutes. Physical barcodes are easily printed - a budgetary savings. I love the visual search - parents and students can link to ebooks, public library resources, college prep, homework helps, audio books, whatever I want to create a link for assisting research and resources - the world is at our disposal. Parents can easily email and send book requests. An economical high quality services for private schools with small library budgets. Technical support is amazing 24/7 and they are great teachers. Training library help is very easy. There is no need to purchase MARC record as the record fetch has most titles and it is very easy to create your own record. I highly recommend this software for ease of use and ability to expand circulation options. We separate textbooks and general library but it is all in the same catalog. Teachers easily check out their classroom textbooks. I am re-cataloguing sets of elementary books and tech support makes global call number changes saving the time of bringing up each title to change the record.
Cons
What is there not to like? I love this software!!!
Rating breakdown
Likelihood to recommend: 10/10
