How to Migrate from Manual to Digital Library Management in 7 Days

• ·Sign up for 24Library (free plan — no credit card needed)
• ·Complete your library profile: name, address, contact, logo
• ·Define your fee plans (monthly, quarterly, annual rates)
• ·Note: do NOT import any data yet — just configure the basics

• ·Export your existing member data from Excel / WhatsApp / notebook to a CSV file
• ·Required columns: Name, Phone, Email (optional), Membership Type, Expiry Date
• ·Use 24Library's CSV import tool (Settings → Members → Import)
• ·Verify the import — spot-check 5–10 records for accuracy

• ·Open Seat Management → draw your library layout (rows and seat numbers)
• ·Create your shifts: Morning (6am–2pm), Afternoon (12pm–8pm), Evening (2pm–10pm)
• ·Assign existing members to their current seats in the system
• ·Set shift pricing to match your current rates

• ·Go to Settings → Notifications → WhatsApp Reminders
• ·Enable reminders for: 7 days before expiry, 1 day before expiry, day of expiry
• ·Test the reminder by sending a test message to your own number
• ·Review the message template — customize the library name and sign-off

• ·Show staff how to check in a member (scan QR or search by name)
• ·Show how to register a new member
• ·Show how to mark a fee payment as received
• ·Share the admin app login — staff can manage from their phones

• ·Use both the manual register AND the digital system today
• ·This is your rollback safety net — keep it for one day only
• ·At end of day, compare: are all attendees in both systems? Are all payments recorded?
• ·Fix any discrepancies in the digital system

• ·Announce to members: "We are now fully digital — use the app to check in"
• ·Send a WhatsApp message to all members explaining QR check-in
• ·Put the paper register away (archive it — do not destroy it for 1 month)
• ·Monitor the dashboard for the first week — check attendance counts daily

"What if we lose member data?"

Your paper register still exists — it does not disappear when you import to software. You have a physical backup until you are confident everything is correct.

"Members will be confused by the QR system"

Most members adapt in one visit. The QR code is sent to their WhatsApp — they just scan it at the entrance. If someone forgets, staff can check them in by name in under 5 seconds.

"Is it expensive to migrate?"

24Library is free to start. Migration itself requires no spending — you are just moving data from Excel to the cloud. The only cost is an hour of your time.

"What about members who do not have smartphones?"

Print a QR card for them (the system generates a printable version). They carry the card and staff scan it — same process, no smartphone needed.

"What do we do with old paper records?"

Archive them for 12 months, then shred. The digital system is your new record of truth. Most libraries find they never need the paper after month 2.