The library that students actually use.

An Integrated Library Management System digitises five core library functions: acquisition, cataloguing (accession register, often in MARC 21), classification (DDC/UDC/Colon), circulation (issue/return), and reader services (OPAC, reservations). Unlike a basic Excel sheet or generic inventory module, an ILMS handles library-specific data structures — bibliographic records, multiple copies under one record, circulation patterns for analytics. SchoolDeck ILMS is built for Indian K-12 libraries from primary to senior secondary, with CBSE and NEP 2020 reading mandates baked in.

Yes — both. MARC 21 (MAchine-Readable Cataloging) is the international bibliographic standard used by libraries worldwide. SchoolDeck imports and exports MARC 21, letting schools share data with public libraries and library networks. For classification: DDC (Dewey Decimal — standard in most Indian schools), UDC (Universal Decimal), or Colon Classification (Ranganathan's Indian system, still used by some libraries). Pick at setup; the platform generates spine labels with appropriate call numbers automatically.

NEP 2020 makes every school responsible for maintaining a well-stocked library and reading corner — a hard requirement, not a recommendation. The policy specifically calls for promoting reading habits through campaigns and competitions. It mandates 50 hours of annual training for school librarians. It encourages digital library integration (National Digital Library of India), multilingual resources via the National Book Trust, and after-hours community access. CBSE operationalises parts through the CBSE Reading Mission and CBSE Reading App. SchoolDeck supports these mandates with reading-habit analytics and Reading Mission integration.

Librarian scans the student's ID card (same barcode used for attendance and canteen). Student's profile loads with borrowing limit and overdue status. Librarian then scans the barcode on the back of each book. System records the issue, calculates due date by category (7-14 days fiction, 21 days reference — configurable), and sends parent a WhatsApp or app confirmation. Return is similarly fast — scan, system checks overdue, calculates fine if any. Whole transaction averages 5-7 seconds per book.

Yes. OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) is accessible through the SchoolDeck student app or web portal — searchable by title, author, DDC class, ISBN, subject, or grade level. Each result shows availability, shelf location (call number), and copy count. Students can reserve checked-out books; system notifies when returned. They can view borrowing history, self-renew (if no reservation pending), and see overdue fines. This OPAC-from-home access is what turns the library from a service into a resource students actively use.

CBSE Reading Mission (launched 2021 under Circular Acad-82/2021) gives schools access to a curated repository of openly licensed children's storybooks in English and Hindi for Classes 1-8, plus the CBSE Reading App ecosystem. SchoolDeck ILMS catalogues these CBSE-sourced resources alongside the physical collection, tags them as part of the CBSE Reading Challenge (Classes 6-10), and tracks participation. Librarian dashboard shows mission participation by class — useful for the principal preparing CBSE affiliation documentation.

Used to take school libraries 2-4 weeks of manual work per year. With SchoolDeck, the librarian walks each rack with a barcode scanner or smartphone (no specialised hardware), scanning every book on the shelf. Platform compares against the accession register and generates a discrepancy report — books missing, books on shelf not in register, books long overdue with specific students. 3-5 days for a typical 5,000-15,000-book school library. Report is signed off as the annual audit record.

Yes — and this is the most-overlooked feature of an ILMS. Reports on issues per student per term (identifies top readers and non-readers), most-circulated titles by class (informs acquisition decisions), genre distribution (fiction-only vs balanced reading), and year-on-year usage trends. For the principal preparing the annual report, NAAC-equivalent documentation, or CBSE affiliation review, this is the data that goes beyond "we have a library" into "we're operating a reading culture" — what NEP 2020 requires evidence of.