First login: what to do first

A 30-minute checklist to go from new tenant to ready-for-patrons.

Minutes 0-5: Sign in and set branding

• Open your invite email and set a password
• Sign in at yourchoice.tryshelfwise.com/auth/login
• Go to Settings → Appearance
• Upload your logo (PNG or SVG, square, 512×512 or larger)
• Pick your brand colour
• Save

Minutes 5-15: Configure your homepage

• Settings → Appearance → Hero Banner
• Either upload a banner image or pick an overlay colour
• Write a one-sentence welcome message ("Read. Imagine. Grow.")
• Set your loan period (default 21 days — adjust to your library)

Minutes 15-25: Add your first books

Two options:

• Quick: Settings → Catalog → Bulk ISBN Import. Paste a few ISBNs and click Import. Cover, title, and metadata auto-fill from Google Books.
• Manual: Catalog → Add Book. Fill in title, author, genre, and copies.

Add at least 5-10 books so your patron-facing site looks alive.

Minutes 25-30: Invite your team

• Settings → Users → Invite User
• Add your librarian(s) with the Librarian role
• Add any co-admins with the Admin role
• Save — they'll get invite emails to set their passwords

What's next

After this 30-minute setup:

• Bulk-import your existing catalogue (see "Bulk ISBN import")
• Add patrons (manually or via CSV — see "Bulk import patrons from CSV")
• Set up the self-checkout kiosk on a tablet
• Print patron cards
• Announce your library to your members

For a longer onboarding plan, see "Onboarding patrons before launch".