Build a Smarter, Stronger Collection with Confidence

Make informed collection decisions with Book Index with Reviews (BIR), a comprehensive bibliographic database designed for libraries. Gain instant visibility into books across publishers, formats, editions, and publication dates —so you always know what’s available and what belongs in your collection. 

One Source for Editions and Formats 

Stop juggling multiple sources. BIR brings together authoritative records for print, audio, large print, digital, and more, giving you a clear, unified picture of every option for every title. 

Beyond Books: Your Multimedia Inventory

Today’s libraries serve readers, viewers, and listeners. BIR also includes records for audiobooks, movies, and music, making it easy to evaluate and purchase across all the formats your community expects. Whether you’re evaluating audiobook availability, replacing worn DVDs, or expanding your music offerings, you’ll have helpful insights into what’s on the market.  

Quickly See What You Have, and What You're Missing

Spot gaps, outdated editions, and opportunities to strengthen high‑demand areas. BIR shows you exactly what exists in the market and how your collection compares, helping you invest where it matters most.  

Data That Makes Selection Decisions Faster

Rich metadata helps selectors quickly determine:

  • the most up‑to‑date version
  • alternative formats for accessibility
  • whether a title is part of a series  
  • if a title has newer translations or reissues

Spend less time researching and more time choosing the right materials. 

Seamless Support for Your Acquisitions Workflow

Our clean identifiers and standardized metadata make it simple to match items to your ILS/LMS or vendor system. No more reconciling inconsistent titles or guessing which ISBN belongs to which edition.  

Simple, Intuitive Search for Smarter Selection

Finding the right titles is easy with our flexible search tools. Start with a basic search by title, author, or keyword, then narrow results by subject, publication date, in‑print status, format, and more. Advanced search options let staff refine even further—by page count, grade level, edition type, and other selectors that support precise collection decisions. A direct link to your library’s catalog makes it simple to check local availability.  

Add Expert Guidance with Core Collections

Pair BIR with Core Collections, the ultimate selection solution. Core Collections highlights the most essential, librarian‑recommended titles -- across genres, age levels, and subjects -- so you can prioritize purchases with confidence. Core Collections provides expert guidance from librarians for librarians. Learn more on the Core Collections product page. 

Build the Collection Your Community Needs

Whether you’re budgeting for next year, responding to patron demand, or shaping a specialized list, our tools give you the insight and accuracy to make every decision count.

The right data builds a stronger collection, and a stronger library.