Most church libraries are run by volunteers with no budget.
You don't need enterprise library software. You need something simple that helps you track checkouts without a steep learning curve.
Here are the options that actually work for small church libraries.
Your Book Nest (this website)
Your Book Nest is built for tiny lending libraries.
We focus on the essentials - who has what and when it's due.
What it costs
Free for churches with under 100 items.
What you get
Basic checkout and returns. Track who borrowed each item. See what's overdue.
Works on any device with internet. No installation. No barcode scanner needed.
- The good parts
Dead simple to learn, free for small libraries, works everywhere (phones/tablets/computers), designed for high-trust environments like churches, and no complicated features to ignore.
- The not-so-good parts
Requires a subscription for libraries with over 100 items, no online catalogue for members, no barcode scanning, and basic compared to full library systems.
Best for: Small church libraries (50-100 books) where simplicity matters more than features. Perfect for hospice libraries, small group collections, or new church libraries just getting started.
TinyCat (LibraryThing)
TinyCat is built specifically for small libraries, such as churches and synagogues.
It's been around since 2016, and hundreds of religious libraries use it.
What it costs
£3/month for volunteer libraries (under £1,000 annual budget and no paid library staff). £10-15/month for larger church libraries.
What you get
Complete circulation system with checkout and due dates. Patron accounts so members can see what they've borrowed. Barcode support if you want it (but you don't need it).
You catalogue books in LibraryThing. TinyCat turns that into a searchable library website.
- The good parts
Designed for volunteer-run libraries, works on phones/tablets/computers, members can search from home, imports catalogue records so you don't type everything, email reminders for overdue items, and active support team.
- The not-so-good parts
Two systems to learn (LibraryThing for cataloguing, TinyCat for circulation), £36-120/year adds up, can feel overwhelming at first, and designed for books more than other media.
Best for: Churches with 500+ books that want a proper, searchable online catalogue. Worth the learning curve if you're serious about running a real library.
Librarika
Librarika is a completely free library software.
Tons of churches use it. It works in your web browser.
What it costs
Free. Actually free.
No catch. They make money from schools and larger organisations.
What you get
Full catalogue and circulation. Multiple library branches, if needed. Patron accounts. Reports on what's being borrowed.
An online catalogue that your members can search.
- The good parts
Truly free for churches, everything in one system, no software to install, members can search and place holds online, works for DVDs/CDs/other media, and looks professional.
- The not-so-good parts
Less hand-holding than paid options, cataloguing is mostly manual (you type in book details), smaller user community, and support is email only.
Best for: Churches that want free software and don't mind learning as they go. Great option if your budget is absolutely zero.
Libib
Libib is a cataloguing software that added circulation features.
It's popular for home libraries and has a free tier.
What it costs
Free for cataloguing up to 5,000 items.
£9/month (£99/year) for Pro with circulation and patron management.
What you get
Scan barcodes with your phone. Book details fill in automatically. Clean, simple interface.
Pro adds checkout, due dates, patron accounts, and overdues.
- The good parts
Barcode scanning works brilliantly, beautiful mobile apps, super easy to learn, can catalogue books/DVDs/CDs/board games, and great for mixed media collections.
- The not-so-good parts
Circulation requires a paid Pro version, newer to church libraries (fewer church-specific features), manual entry for books without barcodes, and £108/year for small churches.
Best for: Churches with modern books that have barcodes. Perfect if you want simple and pretty over powerful.
Church Library Organizer Pro
Windows desktop software specifically for churches.
One-time purchase. Installs on your church computer.
What it costs
Around £80-150 one-time purchase.
Free trial available.
What you get
Complete cataloguing and circulation system. Barcode printing. Patron cards. Overdue reports.
Everything runs on your Windows PC.
- The good parts
One-time cost (no annual fees), made specifically for churches, works offline, includes barcode label printing, and technical support available.
- The not-so-good parts
Windows only, stuck to one computer, feels dated compared to web apps, members can't search from home, and no mobile access.
Best for: Churches with a Windows computer in the library and a librarian who prefers desktop software. Good if you hate monthly fees.
Google Sheets
Yes, a spreadsheet.
It sounds too simple. But it works for tiny libraries.
What it costs
Free.
What you get
Whatever you build. Typically: Title, Author, Borrowed By, Due Date.
- The good parts
Zero learning curve, free forever, works on any device, customise it however you want, and share with multiple volunteers easily.
- The not-so-good parts
You build everything manually, no automation, easy to mess up, gets chaotic past 50 books, and looks unprofessional.
Best for: Brand-new church libraries with fewer than 50 books. Also suitable for testing whether you need real software.
How to choose the right software
Think about your actual situation.
If you have 20-50 books
Google Sheets or simple library software. Don't overcomplicate it.
If you have 100-500 books
Librarika (free), simple library software (free under 100 items), or Libib (£9/month for Pro features).
Choose based on budget and whether you want barcode scanning.
If you have 500+ books
TinyCat (£3-10/month) or Librarika (free).
You need proper circulation and a searchable catalogue.
If you hate monthly fees
Church Library Organizer Pro (one-time £80-150) or Librarika (free).
If you want barcode scanning
Libib Pro (£9/month) works brilliantly with phone cameras.
TinyCat supports barcode scanners. Church Library Organizer Pro includes label printing.
If your budget is zero
Librarika or simple library software (if under 100 items).
Both are genuinely free.
What most churches get wrong
They pick software designed for university libraries.
Your church library with 300 books doesn't need:
- MARC records
- Dewey Decimal call numbers
- Fine management
- Multi-branch support
- Staff permission levels
You need:
- Who borrowed what
- When it's due back
- A way to search for books
That's actually it.
Start with simple, upgrade if needed
Pick the simplest option that fits your collection size.
You can always switch later. Most software lets you export your data.
Don't spend three months researching. Pick one and start cataloguing.
The best system is the one you actually use.
Questions to ask before choosing
How many items do you have? Under 100? Keep it simple. Over 500? Get proper software.
Do you have a computer in the library? No? Avoid desktop software. Choose web-based.
What's your actual budget? Zero? Librarika or simple software. Can spend £3-10/month? More options open up.
Do you want members to search from home? Yes? You need a web-based system with an online catalogue. Rules out Google Sheets and some desktop software.
Is this a temporary solution or forever? Testing it out? Start simple. Planning for years? Invest time learning proper software.
Recommendation summary
Most small church libraries (under 500 books): Start with Librarika. It's free and complete.
Churches that can spare £3/month: TinyCat is worth it. Specifically designed for you.
Under 100 books: Simple library software or Google Sheets. Don't overthink it.
Want barcode scanning and willing to pay: Libib Pro at £9/month.
Your situation might be different. But these work for most churches.
Pick one this week and start cataloguing.
