Pinakes

Pinakes is a free, GPL-3 licensed, self-hosted integrated library system for schools, municipalities, and private collections. It combines cataloging, circulation, a public self-service catalog, and REST APIs. Cataloging tools can import ISBN/EAN metadata, retrieve covers, manage multiple copies, and accept bulk CSV imports. Circulation covers requests, approvals, checkout, renewals, returns, due dates, and FIFO reservation queues. Its Digital Library plugin supports PDF and ePub ebooks, streaming for MP3, M4A, and OGG audiobooks, and access controls for individual items. Metadata sources include Open Library and Google Books, while Z39.50/SRU tools connect with catalogs such as the Library of Congress, OCLC, and SBN Italia. Pinakes provides an SRU 1.2 endpoint with MARCXML, Dublin Core, and MODS exports. A guided installer is available, and the project says it works on shared hosting without production build tools. Self-hosting requires PHP 8.2 or later, MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.3+, and Apache or nginx. Its companion Android app can manage loans when the Mobile API plugin is enabled.

Pinakes combines core library workflows with digital collection and catalog interoperability tools, without recurring fees. Its self-hosting requirements and email setup are practical considerations before deployment.

Pinakes may suit schools, municipalities, and private collections that want to host their own library system. The companion Android app is an option for borrowers when the Mobile API plugin is enabled.

Overview

Pinakes is a self-hosted library system for schools, municipalities, and private collections. It suits organizations that want lending, cataloging, and digital collections in one place and can manage a web server. Its broad library toolkit comes with no recurring fees, though deployment and email configuration require attention.

Key features

Cataloging combines ISBN/EAN metadata import, automatic cover retrieval, multi-copy records, and CSV bulk import. That makes it easier to build and maintain a collection with repeated copies, while still allowing bulk updates. Circulation covers loan requests, approvals, checkout, renewal, returns, due dates, and FIFO reservation queues; acquisitions, borrower access, and MARC records round out the core library workflows.

A self-service public catalog and REST APIs let patrons and connected services reach beyond staff screens. The Digital Library plugin supports PDF and ePub books and streaming for MP3, M4A, and OGG audiobooks, with access controls for each item. Patrons can also use the free Android companion app to browse, check availability, borrow, reserve, and manage loans, provided the Mobile API plugin is enabled.

Metadata sources include Open Library and Google Books. Z39.50/SRU tools connect to catalogs including the Library of Congress, OCLC, and SBN Italia, while an SRU 1.2 endpoint exports MARCXML, Dublin Core, and MODS. This gives Pinakes practical catalog exchange options for libraries working with established bibliographic sources. ICS export can sync loans and reservations with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Outlook.

Automatic emails can cover registrations, loan confirmations, approaching due dates, overdue items, and available reservations. They require setup through PHP mail() or SMTP; documented cron jobs support automated notifications and maintenance. The updater documents CSRF validation, admin-only access, path traversal protection, Zip Slip prevention, backups, and rollback on update errors. Those safeguards are useful operational provisions, but the organization still owns hosting and upkeep.

Pricing

Pinakes costs nothing under the GPL-3.0 open-source license, with no recurring fees. There is no free trial because the software itself is free. The plan is self-hosted, so the organization supplies a server that meets the requirements: PHP 8.2 or later, MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.3+, and Apache or nginx. A guided installer and support for shared hosting lower the deployment barrier, but do not remove the need to administer hosting and configure email.

Platforms

Pinakes runs on the web and through a self-hosted deployment, exposes an API, and has an Android companion app. The companion app’s borrowing and account features depend on enabling the Mobile API plugin.

Who it's for

Pinakes is a strong fit for schools, municipalities, and private collections that want acquisitions, circulation, a borrower portal, digital lending, and catalog interoperability without recurring software fees. It is less suitable for organizations that want a managed service or cannot take responsibility for PHP, database, web-server, email, and scheduled-task configuration.

Pros and cons

• Pros: No recurring software fees, with cataloging, circulation, acquisitions, borrower access, and MARC support in one system.
• Pros: Digital lending spans ebooks and streamed audiobooks, with per-item access controls and an Android app for patron tasks.
• Pros: Metadata imports, Z39.50/SRU connections, and multiple export formats support reuse and exchange of catalog records.
• Cons: Self-hosting requires a compatible PHP, database, and web-server stack, plus ongoing administration.
• Cons: Email alerts and maintenance automation depend on configuring mail delivery and cron jobs.
• Cons: The Android app’s loan and reservation functions require the Mobile API plugin to be enabled.

Alternatives

Librarika is worth considering for a hosted, freemium option with broad platform coverage: its free Basic plan includes 2,000 records, unlimited patrons, staff, and check-outs, OPAC, and email reminders. Choose Pinakes when open-source self-hosting and its digital collection and interoperability tools matter more than a record cap that comes with a free hosted plan.

LibraryWorld offers a 30-day trial subscription for testing all modules with up to 50,000 catalog records per library, making it a candidate for teams that want to evaluate a paid service before subscribing.

Orell Library Management Software uses custom pricing. Atriuum offers managed hosting and SaaS options with custom pricing. LibStack has a paid School plan with a single branch and up to 5,000 books. Accessit Library uses organization-specific pricing and may involve third-party integration fees. ABCD is another free library and documentation-center system. Koha is a free GPL v3-or-later alternative for organizations prepared to self-install on a Linux server with root access and command-line tools.

For more options, see School Library Management Software.

Verdict

Pinakes is the right choice for a school, municipality, or private collection that can run its own hosting and wants a no-recurring-fee system spanning circulation, digital lending, and catalog exchange. Its strongest reason to choose it is the combination of broad library workflows and open interoperability. Look elsewhere if your priority is managed hosting or avoiding server, email, and maintenance setup.