How do I start an inventory catalog for a small bookstore?

How do I start an inventory catalog for a small bookstore?

So I have come into a bunch of books, probably 700-1200, and am thinking about starting an online new/used bookstore. I have no experience running a bookstore, minor experience with retail and a lot of experience with internet development (but less IT).

I can see how most of these steps will work, but I don’t understand how to efficiently catalog the inventory. I’m hoping it’s something like running a scanner across the barcode and into a program that populates information on the book from some massive database somewhere. I would like to be able to add a little additional information (quality of used books, etc).

Once I have my own database of books, I feel relatively confident that I will be able to link my data with online storefronts or create my own, but this first step is baffling. Is this one of those things that everyone in the industry just takes for granted? I can’t find data on it anywhere…

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3 Comments for How do I start an inventory catalog for a small bookstore?

  • 1. Alice  |  December 3rd, 2010 at 5:29 am

    The barcode should have all the information on any new book in your store. I imagine there already exists software which you can purchase to maintain your store inventory. It would be similar to the software used by libraries to maintain the records of their book collections.

    Some software salesperson, or a number of them, would be delighted to demonstrate their products to you, I am sure. Much, much easier than developing your own system.

    Here is a product available for free download. I know nothing about it, so I can’t tell you if it is exactly what you need or not.
    http://www.topshareware.com/store-inventory-software-free/downloads/1.htm

    Do a Google search for “store inventory software” to see many more options.

  • 2. Flower  |  December 3rd, 2010 at 6:05 am

    Use Excel spreadsheets

  • 3. Bookie  |  February 8th, 2011 at 10:48 pm

    Homebase is the programme to use – I’ve tried a few and it’s the best by far when working with large quantities of books. Even better it’s free from Abebooks.com / .co.uk.

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