Post #5 Follett Destiny; Automated Library System
November 7, 2007
As I mentioned in my last post, since my library had no automated system and no card catalog, I had no idea what kind of books were in there and what condition they were in. One of my first major goals in my new library (after weeding) was to choose, obtain and install an automated library system.
Since Follett has been buying up many automated systems lately, there weren’t too many other brands left for me to choose. After reviewing several other automated systems, I decided to purchase Follett’s latest automated system called Destiny.
Destiny is a completely web based automated system. Students can use any computer with Internet access to view the catalog for the school library. Every classroom has several computers with Internet access and will be able to search the school library catalog from their classroom when needed,
There are several ways Destiny allows students and teachers to search. You can search by keyword, title, author, subject and series. If any of these results do not provide the user with what they were looking for, there is also an advanced search option which allows the user to narrow their search.
There are several added options that my school purchased that I believe to be valuable resources to students. The first is TitlePeek. This feature adds a picture of the book’s cover to each listing for the book; sort of like Amazon.com. The image of the book’s cover is connected to it’s ISBN number. So, if I have a 1992 copy of Bridge to Terabithia, TitlePeek will show the 1992 cover, not the cover with the movie images on it.
The second added feature my school purchased is called WebPath Express. When a user preforms a search, they will of course see all the materials that the school library has to offer. If you subscribe to WebPath Express, teacher-approved websites are also displayed in the search results. This is especially nice because the students are already on the Internet to search the catalog, so all they have to do is click on the link to view the website.
I have only begun to explore all the possibilities this automated system offers since I am just working on importing all the materials in my library right now into Destiny. I am excited to become an automated library and can’t wait to introduce Destiny to all my students!
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: Destiny, Follett, Library Automation, school library.
1.
eearp | November 27, 2007 at 5:01 am
The extra features sound pretty awesome. I really like the TitlePeek one. I’m one of those readers who doesn’t like to read books if they’re the movie tie-in covers. It’s weird, I know, but covers are important to me, especially after seeing all the different covers available, like when we hold our books up in YA.
The web sites that pop up with the search results option is even better. It sounds like that would help students do that all important thing and start to discern between “good” web sites and “bad” web sites when it comes to research. Sounds like you picked a really good system!
2.
grings1 | November 29, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Sounds like getting a late start in the automated world might actually work out well for your library. You get the benefit of the latest and greatest technology, and also students/teachers are already used to using OPACs, etc. at other libraries.
3.
Suzanne | January 23, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I am trying to get an estimate of the cost for Destiny fory my school system.
4.
Lana Khalaf | January 24, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Hi Suzanne,
Have you found an estimated cost for Destiny? Please let me know what the cost is if you found it.
Thanks
5.
eesiem | January 25, 2008 at 5:17 pm
When my school purchased Destiny, we got the software, scanner, titlepeek, and webpath express for around $5,000. Follet was also running a promotion so we got the state standard links free for one year.
Titlepeek & Webpath Express are options that cost extra, but they are well worth it! Titlepeek shows a thumbnail picture of the book cover in the search results. Webpath Express returns teacher-approved websites for a search along with the matching books in your collection.
I’m not sure what specials Follett is running right now, but you could call and check what the specials are in your area.
Here’s Follett’s contact Info:
Follett Software Company
1-800-323-3397
Good Luck & You’ll love Destiny if you purchase it!