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Abracadabra.net

What Abracadabra.net is
Abracadabra.net is a hosted library management system for school libraries, designed specifically for primary schools. It runs in a web browser, with Edge and Chrome named by its maker, School Library Systems. Staff can search books, issue and return items, run reports, withdraw items and add new stock. The service is cloud-based, with automatic updates and daily backups. Schools moving from another library system can arrange data conversion and continue using existing scanners and bar codes. The Library Management System package includes a scanner, labels and an email module; the migration package includes a Teams training session. Other options range from hosting and support to cataloguing and on-site services. The £499 software-only package leaves installation, training, data entry and book classification to the school, and setup may take up to six months. School Library Systems says it has been established since 1997. Its privacy notice says hosted personal data is based in the UK and protected by technical and organisational measures. The maker offers support, aims to respond within 24 hours and provides a data retrieval service.
Who it suits
Abracadabra.net suits primary schools that need a hosted system for everyday library circulation, cataloguing and reporting. Schools changing systems may find the conversion service useful, while those wanting book entry and labelling handled on-site can consider the premium service.
What it does well
- Supports book searches, issuing, returns, reports and stock additions.
- Hosted service receives automatic updates and daily backups.
- Conversion service lets schools keep existing scanners and bar codes.
- Library Management System package includes a scanner, labels and email module.
- Hosted personal data is based in the UK.
- Support aims for a response within 24 hours.
What to know first
- No free plan or free trial is offered.
- Software-only setup requires school installation, training and book data entry.
- Software-only setup may take up to six months.
- Hosting and support after the first year costs £199 per year.
Limits
There is no free plan or trial. The software-only package requires the school to install and train itself and enter and classify book details; setup may take up to six months. Hosting and support after the first year costs £199 per year for the Library Management System and Move from existing system packages.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Premium (all-in-one) service | Price depends on library book count · Several on-site days · book data entry and Dewey spine labelling completed · scanner and 6000 labels included | £1,299, paid once |
| Hosting and support | Annual · Hosting and support after the first year | £199 a year |
| Library Management System | Plus VAT; first year hosting and support included, then £199 hosting and support · High schools +£100 · scanner, labels and email module included | £299, paid once |
| Move from existing system | Plus VAT; first year hosting and support included, then £199 hosting and support · Data conversion · Teams training session · existing scanner and bar codes can be used | £299, paid once |
| Cataloguing service | Plus VAT; additional days £250 each · One on-site day · typically 1500+ books · travel expenses may apply | £299, paid once |
| Software package only | Self-installation · self-training · data entry and book classification done by school · scanner and 6000 labels included | £499, paid once |
| One day on-site intensive | Travel or accommodation expenses may apply depending on location · One on-site day · installation and training included · around 1500 books entered in most schools | On request |
As schoollibrary.co.uk lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://schoollibrary.co.uk/ to review the available packages.
- Choose a package, such as the Library Management System or Move from existing system.
- For a hosted package, use the system in a browser; Edge and Chrome are named.
- If moving from another system, arrange data conversion and a Teams training session.
- If choosing Software package only, install and train the system and enter and classify book details yourself.
Verdict
Abracadabra.net is a fit for primary schools seeking a hosted library system with circulation tools and options for data conversion or on-site cataloguing. Schools that choose the £499 software-only package must handle installation, training and book records themselves; its setup may take up to six months.
Questions
How much does Abracadabra.net cost?
The Library Management System and Move from existing system packages each cost £299 once, plus VAT, with first-year hosting and support included. Hosting and support then costs £199 per year. The software-only package costs £499 once.
Is there a free plan or trial?
No. Abracadabra.net is paid, and there is no free trial.
Which platforms does it support?
It is a hosted, cloud-based system accessed through a web browser. The maker names Edge and Chrome.
Can a school keep its existing scanner and bar codes?
Yes. The maker offers conversion from an existing library management system so schools can continue using their existing scanners and bar codes.
What does the Library Management System package include?
It includes a scanner, labels, an email module and first-year hosting and support. Hosting and support costs £199 per year after the first year.
Who makes Abracadabra.net?
School Library Systems makes the product and says it has been established since 1997.
Facts from Abracadabra.net's own pages
- Barcode scanner
- The software-only package includes a Cipher Lab barcode scanner for scanning books. · schoollibrary.co.uk, 8 Oct 2026
- Browser access
- The hosted system runs in a web browser, and the maker names Edge and Chrome. · schoollibrary.co.uk, 8 Oct 2026
- Data migration
- The maker offers conversion from an existing library management system so schools can continue using existing scanners and bar codes. · schoollibrary.co.uk, 8 Oct 2026
- Data sharing
- The privacy notice says personal information is not shared with third parties, except for a currently unused option concerning non-personal book reviews and reading statistics. · schoollibrary.co.uk, 8 Oct 2026
- Designed for
- The maker says Abracadabra was designed specifically for primary schools. · schoollibrary.co.uk, 8 Oct 2026
- Email module
- The Library Management System package includes an email module. · schoollibrary.co.uk, 8 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1997 · schoollibrary.co.uk, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Stretford, Manchester, UK · schoollibrary.co.uk, 28 Sept 2026
- Maintenance
- The maker says the hosted system receives automatic updates and is backed up daily. · schoollibrary.co.uk, 8 Oct 2026
- Maker history
- School Library Systems says it has been established since 1997. · schoollibrary.co.uk, 8 Oct 2026
- Primary features
- The software supports book search, issuing and returning items, reports, withdrawing items and adding new stock. · schoollibrary.co.uk, 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Abracadabra.net is a fully hosted, web-based automated library system for managing a school library. · schoollibrary.co.uk, 8 Oct 2026
- Security and privacy
- The privacy notice says School Library Systems uses appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect hosted personal data and that data is based in the UK only. · schoollibrary.co.uk, 8 Oct 2026
- Setup limitation
- The software-only package requires the school to install and train itself and enter and classify book details; the maker says setup may take up to six months. · schoollibrary.co.uk, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker offers comprehensive support, aims to respond within 24 hours and provides a data retrieval service. · schoollibrary.co.uk, 8 Oct 2026
Where Abracadabra.net stands on Freedom251
- School Library Management Software#15 of 22