Librarian Pro Manual

Adding multiple items via UPC or ISBN

For speedy item entry, it is possible to type in a list of ISBN and UPC codes for items and have Librarian Pro automatically add them to your database and query the web for their details.

1. Choose "Scanner" from the "Item" menu.
2. Setup the configuration for adding items by clicking the Options button.
3. Hold up the item's barcode to the web cam or type the barcode in and hit enter.

Borrowers

Librarian Pro can manage basic user accounts for recording who has borrowed which items. To begin, you will need to have created at least one borrower.

1. Click the plus (+) icon below the borrowers list or choose "New Borrower" from the File menu.
2. Fill in the Borrower details.
3. Close the window and click Save when prompted.

Assuming you have at least one item in your library, you can assign it to the borrower by one of the following methods:

1. Select the item in the main library list and choose "Mark as Borrowed..." from the "Item" menu. You will then be prompted to select a borrower and a checked-out date.
2. Double click the item in the main library list to view its details, click the "Additional" tab, and then click the "Mark as Borrowed..." button. You will then be prompted to select a borrower and a checked-out date.
3. Drag and drop the item from the main library list onto the borrower's name in the sidebar.

All changes related to borrowing assignments are automatic and no saving is necessary. Additionally, if an item is removed from the library that borrowers have checked out, it will first be returned and then removed.

To mark an item as returned, follow the same steps as above. The buttons and menu items will now be labelled as "Mark as Returned".

It is also possible to check-out or return more than one item at a time. Simply select all the desired items in the main list and perform the same action as if you had only a single item selected.

Collections & Smart Collections

Collections provide a way to organize items in your library aside from the standard groupings of type.

Creating a new collection

1. Click the plus (+) icon below the collections list, or choose "New Collection" or "New Smart Collection" from the File menu to create a regular collection.

If you have created a regular collection, it will now appear in the collections sidebar of the main window. Type in a new name for the collection and hit enter. Then just drag and drop the items you wish to be part of that collection into it.

Smart Collections, however, are quite a bit different. Unlike traditional collections which require you to manually add your own items, Smart Collections automatically update, remove, and add items based on your criteria.

When you first choose the option of creating a new Smart Collection, you are presented with a window to specify rules for which items will be included. These rules can be changed afterward by highlighting the collection in the list, pressing the gear icon, and choosing "Edit Collection Rules".

Compatible Barcode Scanners

We used to sell both the "Unitech AS10-U Barcode Scanner" and "Honeywell Voyager 1202g Scanner" through our web site. We still fully support both of these scanners with Librarian Pro. They can be ordered from BarcodesInc.com. As time goes on they may be discontinued; however, all barcode scanners will work as long as they support Keyboard Emulation. While many USB and wireless barcode scanners may not officially list this, they will likely have it.

Creating export templates

Librarian Pro can export to HTML creating a web page. Creating new templates for both formats is relatively easy if you have experience with a text editor. Creating an HTML template requires knowledge of HTML as well. Once installed, templates are stored in the Application Support (macOS) or Application Data (Windows) folders.

Creating an HTML Template

1. Create a new folder on your desktop with the new name of your template.
2. Create a basic design for the template and save it into this new folder as masterTemplate.html. Any required images for this design must go into a folder called images. We suggest using the names: beverage.png, boardgame.png, book.png, currency.png, electronics.png, general.png, home.png, movie.png, music.png, software.png, videogames.png
3. Rename masterTemplate.html to books.html and duplicate it so you have one “body file” per item type:
   
   books.html, general.html, music.html, movies.html, electronics.html, software.html, videogames.html, boardgame.html, beverage.html, currency.html.
4. Open all body files and put a [item] and [/item] tag set around the area which will contain the template for item details. Then customize the item details area with any of the tags specified below. The content within the [item]...[/item] area will be duplicated as many times as the item count per page (as specified by the user in the Export dialog). For example, if the user is exporting 100 movies and specifies 3 movies per page, the output will contain 34 pages for movies.
5. In each body file, on the first lines following [item], include a [settings] and [/settings] tag set. This will be removed from the final product, but will prevent the template from being loaded if it does not exist.
   
   Example:
   [settings]
     [coverHeight]100[/coverHeight]
     [coverWidth]100[/coverWidth]
     [bigCoverHeight]400[/bigCoverHeight]
     [bigCoverWidth]400[/bigCoverWidth]
   [/settings]
   
   The top two tags specify the maximum width and height of cover art if you use [LPItem:ProductImage] in the body file. If [fillColor] (optional) is specified, cover art will be exported and if it cannot be scaled down proportionally to fit exactly to the bounds specified, filler color will be used around the edges. Otherwise, an image of “best fit” is exported. The width and height of this image may be smaller than the specified bounds, but never larger. The “big” versions refer to [LPItem:ProductImageBig].
6. Create an index.html page which links to each item page. See the list of tags below for ones valid on the Index page. There must also be a [settings] tag set on the index.html page, but for other settings. Currently, it does not have eny options. Leave it blank.
   
   [settings][/settings]
   
   
7. Optionally, create a preview.html file to enable the template preview option in the Export window. Store preview-only images in a folder other than images so they will not be copied into the final export. A style.css file will also be copied if one exists.
8. The following files should now be created:
   • index.html — the main index page for the export which contains links to the body pages (item lists).
   • books.html, general.html, music.html, movies.html, electronics.html, software.html, videogames.html, boardgame.html, beverage.html, currency.html — contains the template for each item type.
9. Launch Librarian Pro and open the Export window.
10. Click the HTML tab and press the “Install New...” button.
11. Choose the folder you just created for your template. It will then be added to the templates popup menu if it was created successfully.
12. Perform an export as desired using your new template.

Export Variables

The following is a list of variables which may be used in both HTML and iOS export templates. Validity defines where the tag can be used. Header and Footer define the area of the body page above the [item] tag and below the [/item] tag respectively. Body refers to any content between [item] and [/item]. Index refers to the index.html page only.

Custom Fields / Additional Values
To use custom values from General Items (Custom Fields) or from Additional Values, use this format: [LPItem:FieldName]. For example, if the field name is “Wine Year”, the variable would be [LPItem:Wine Year]. These fields may vary from item to item depending on what data exists.

Data Providers

You can then use any Data Providers (see elsewhere in this manual) for the item. These can be used in the body of the document between [ITEM] tags only! aN Examples: [LPItem:Title] or [LPItem:z_VideoGameAchievements]. The part after the colon is the Data Provider.

Data Providers

Data Providers can be used in HTML export templates or the Bulk Edit feature. They represent a placeholder variable for information about an item. 

In the Bulk Edit window, if you want copy data from one field to another:

1. Select the items in the main window.
2. Choose Bulk Edit from the Item menu.
3. Click the + button
4. Choose the field drop the drop down to change and it will appear in the list. For this example choose Movies->Stars.
5. Double click to edit the value in the Value column. 
6. Enter a new plain text value like "Patrick Stewart" or specify a custom Data Provider like [z_MovieDirector] to copy the value from the Director field into the Stars (z_MovieStars) field.
7. Click the Change button.

All selected records have now had their Stars field populated by the Director field, replacing any prior values.

eBay Integration

Enable eBay Seller API access for Librarian Pro (personal eBay account)

These steps prepare your eBay account so Librarian Pro can connect via OAuth and access their Seller Inventory API for product information meta data. This helps auto-fill records in Librarian Pro. If you do not enable this, very limited information will be returned from eBay.

Step 1 — Confirm your eBay account can sell

1. Sign in to eBay in a web browser.

2. Click Sell (top menu).

   • If eBay prompts you to set up selling, follow the prompts.

3. Complete seller onboarding if asked (this can include phone/email verification and confirming your contact details).

Step 2 — Set up payouts (required)

1. In eBay, go to My eBay → Account → Payments (sometimes shown under Seller Hub → Payments).

2. Add/confirm your payout method (bank account or whatever options eBay provides in your region).

3. Complete any required identity/tax steps eBay requests.

If payouts aren’t fully set up, eBay may allow browsing but block API actions that publish or manage inventory.

Step 3 — Turn on Seller Hub (if offered)

1. Go to My eBay.

2. Find Seller Hub (or a link that says “Try Seller Hub” / “Switch to Seller Hub”).

3. Enable it if available.

This isn’t always mandatory, but it makes the next steps easier to find.

Step 4 — Enable and configure Business Policies (shipping/returns/payment)

Inventory-style listing tools (and many seller API workflows) rely on policies being present on your account.

1. In eBay, open Business policies (you may find this under Seller Hub settings or account selling settings).

2. Make sure you have at least one policy for each:

   • Shipping / Fulfillment policy (your shipping services, handling time, domestic/international rules)

   • Return policy (your return window and conditions)

   • Payment policy (often mostly managed by eBay, but still represented as a policy on the account)

3. Save them.

If you’ve sold items before, you may already have policies—just confirm they exist.

Step 5 — Connect your account inside Librarian Pro (OAuth)

1. Open Librarian Pro.

2. Go to Preferences, Web Finder, and turn on eBay and Seller Account 

3. Open Web Finder, and perform your first search. You'll be prompted to login with your eBay credentials.

If it doesn’t work: common fixes

• Error mentions policies (shipping/return/payment)

  Go back to Step 4 and create at least one policy of each type.

• Error mentions payouts, seller eligibility, or account not active for selling

  Go back to Step 2 and finish payout onboarding.

• Error mentions permission/scope/unauthorized

  In Librarian Pro, disconnect eBay, then reconnect and approve access again. Try from a different user account on the same computer. Try deleting preferences while the app is closed and relaunch.

• New seller limits

  Brand-new sellers may have listing limits. If you hit limits, list a few items manually first, ship on time, and limits typically increase.

Feature Requests

User Interface 

1. Create record picture from camera
2. "Read" or "Watched" badge on items

Functionality

1. Update icons from web finder in bulk in main window
2. Bulk-edit additional values
3. Mark as read under contextual menu
4. Ability to import and update eBooks, Movies, Music from iTunes.
5. Organize volumes in "1,2,3..." fashion (English sorting).
6. Multi-field sorting options (first by author, then by series, then by series number.).
7. Spotlight-searchable databases.
8. Ability to generate a MARC record upon input of an ISBN.
9. Send as E-Mail to include item image (AppleScript in Mail does not support this yet)
10. Sell on Amazon/eBay, etc. and auto-populate details
11. Seach field should treat each item it as separate search queries instead of treating it like the whole thing is in quotes
12. Ability to set partial dates (ie. October 2011) or date ranges (ie. 1997-2009)

Borrowing

1. More/customizable fields in Borrower accounts.
2. Ability edit all borrowed item details (ie. change return date)
3. Clear borrow history or clear individual entries.
4. Having a view "who has actually borrowed item X" (like the borrow history, but only actual data). The actual view in one row doesn' reveal all borrowers, if you exceed 4 or 5 borrowers

Import/Export

1. HTML export to allow breaking item lists up by collection
2. Software import to support app version numbers on Windows
3. Drag and drop apps into Librarian Pro to create miscellaneous item type with file details
4. Ignore "header row" when importing

Other

1. iOS version
2. Convert the app to use a live database instead of flat file storage. Removing the need to "save changes."

Importing from Delicious Library and others

Librarian Pro can import from Delicious Library, Bookpedia, CDpedia, DVDpedia, Gamepedia, iTunes and more!

1. With a database window open, choose "Import..." from the "Item" menu.
2. Click the type of database or information you would like to import from the toolbar at the left side of the window.
3. Specify any additional options as desired and click "Import".

Occasionally, our app can auto-navigate to the location on the computer where the existing libraries are located. However, due to new security sandboxing restrictions, this is sometimes now prevented. The Delicious Library 3 library is located at:

~/Library/Containers/com.delicious-monster.library3/Data/Library/Application Support/Delicious Library 3/Delicious Library Items.deliciouslibrary3

Additionally, a Text import option is also available. This allows for easy importing from CSV, tab-delimited, or custom flat-text file formats.

1. Click the Text icon on the navigation pane.
2. Specify both the record and field delimiters for the file you wish to open.
3. Click the "Open..." button and choose the file to import.
4. If the field and record delimiters were correctly specified, the first record should now be shown in the list.
5. Specify where each field should go by clicking on each row in the "Map To" column. This only needs to be done for the first record — it will carry over for all additional records.
6. Click "Import".

Introduction

Librarian Pro is intended as a home inventory solution. While it offers many powerful features, it is not a replacement for a full library management system for a school or business.

When the program first launches, a clean database will be automatically created and displayed. Begin adding items by making a selection from the "New..." menu item under the Item menu. Enter the item details as desired, and close the window to be prompted if the changes should be kept and applied to your database.

Items can be dragged and dropped between databases, onto borrowers, and onto regular collections. To add a new collection, click the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the collections list. Specify a name, and hit the enter key to enact the change.

Please see the additional sections in this manual for help on reloading details from the web, importing, exporting, and other useful features.

Known Issues

Verified Bugs

• Hitting delete key on non-collections still shows 'Would you like to hide' dialog.

Unverified Bugs

• Every time closing database it asks to save it, regardless if there were changes (Windows only)
• Defaults to Gallery View regardless of previous setting (Windows only)
• Maximize/minimize options greyed out (Windows only)
• Barcode scanner not working (Windows)

Loading Details from The Web

Loading item details from the web is one of Librarian Pro's highlights.

1. Create a new item via the Item menu.
2. Type in the title of the item.
3. Choose "Search Web for Item" from the "Item" menu.
4. The web will be queried for possible results and they will then be displayed in the new window which appeared.
5. Use the back/forward buttons to find the correct item.
6. Click Auto-fill on the toolbar.

Mac & Windows Databases

The database format for Librarian Pro is interchangeable between both the Mac and Windows versions without any need for updating or converting. Additionally, the feature set in both applications is identical and licenses are valid for both versions.

Setting up the Wireless Barcode Scanner

After purchasing your Bluetooth-enabled wireless barcode scanner, follow the steps below to ensure successful integration with Librarian Pro:

Initial Configuration on macOS X 10.7 or later

1. Plug in and charge your wireless barcode scanner.
2. Ensure you have paired the wireless scanner with the cradle by scanning the barcode on the cradle. If successful, after 10 seconds, the blue LED on the cradle will stop blinking and stay illuminated.
3. Print and scan the code in the manual under the section "When the MS9535 Acts as a Server to Other Bluetooth Devices." This will setup scanner in the correct mode so that it can be connected to your computer.
4. In the Finder choose "Computer" from the "Go" menu
5. Open your hard drive, "System", "Library", "CoreServices" and then "Bluetooth Setup Assistant"
6. Wait for the VoyagerBT device to appear (not the MS9535 cradle), and click the "Continue" button.
7. Pairing will fail. Click the "Passcode Options..." button and choose "Do not use a passcode with this device." Click OK
8. Click Continue and pairing will be successful.

Initial Configuration on macOS 10.6

1. Plug in the cradle to a power source and let your barcode scanner fully charge. Only continue to step 3 once the scanner is fully charged.
2. (optional) Configure the barcode scanner using the manual if necessary. Metrologic MS9535 barcode scanners should work right out of the box.
3. Plug the USB Bluetooth wedge into your computer, if required. A bluetooth wedge may not be required if your computer already has Bluetooth built-in.
4. Open "System Preferences" from the Apple menu and click the "Bluetooth" icon.
5. Click the add button (+) at the bottom of the device list.
6. A setup assistant will be launched and will greet you. Click Continue.
7. On the "Select Device Type" screen select the choice: "Any Device" and click Continue.
8. Choose your wireless barcode scanner (ie. VoyagerBT) from the device list and press Continue. If given a choice between the cradle for your scanner and the scanner itself, choose the scanner.
9. The assistant will gather information about the device. When finished, click Continue.
10. Enter a passkey of "0000" (without quotes), and press Continue. The device will be configured. When complete, press the Quit button. If the passkey of 000 does not work, go back to the previous screen where you selected the device, and press "Passkey Options" and select the option to not use a passkey.
11. The device now appears in the Bluetooth device list, select it and press the "Advanced..." button.
12. Ensure the Serial Port Type is set to "RS-232" and not "Modem", and then click OK.

After Setup is Complete

1. Open "Librarian Pro" and click the "Hardware" tab in the "Scanner" window.
2. Select the VoyagerBT device and click "Connect"
3. Begin scanning! Don't forget to disconnect the scanner when finished.