Library software?

[Melissa Tredenick]

We currently are using Concourse Software by BookSys but are thinking about changing. We are considering Follett's Destiny Library Manager which would make lookup for students web-based - we are leaning more towards web-based than what we currently have now which is one reference concourse that is connected to a librarians computers.

Any thoughts on web-based lookups vs. the reference computer? Any thoughts on those two software I mentioned or can you recommend one you use?

[Courtney Lewis]

We just had a great conversion from Winnebago Spectrum to TLC with an Aquabrowser overlay. I've heard good things about Destiny, but my library advisory board voted unanimously for the Aquabrowser interface (a search interface that can be laid on top of any software, although TLC developed it) because they felt it was more reflective of they way they searched and needed help, and they could access their accounts with ease. TLC has all the features I wanted in terms of reports and other data, so it was fine with me!

You can see the library catalog at http://library.wyomingseminary.org and if you googled Queens County library in NYC you'll get a better sense of it (simply because they have a few million more books they I do :-). It was the smoothest conversion I've ever been through and the customer service was top notch - I couldn't believe how friendly everyone is at TLC!

Good luck!

[Ernie]

Courtney, we are transitioning to a new library system this year. I will have demos available for my Youth Advisory Council of middle school students. Who was on your Library Advisory Board?

[Karen Douse]

We use Destiny and love it! I would certainly go for a web-based system. It offers so much more flexibility with access 24/7 for faculty and students.

[Emily Auerswald]

My current library (and my previous) are both on Destiny. It's very straightforward, and I've found that even the least library-inclined students (who have tuned me out for the rest of class) are able to conduct an effective search.

Web-based is really handy - I've had a number of students go home, find the books they want, and then bring in a list the next day. It seems like they actually take a little more time to conduct the search than when they're in class, know it's about to end, want to get to lunch, etc. Faculty members like being able to search the collection from their own desk - I've received a number of inquiries that have led to great research projects that the teachers might have skipped, had their preparation required multiple trips to the library. One thing I did like about having a reference computer, however, is that it's easy to monitor and figure out when kids need a little extra help. I kind of miss that being web-based, but I'd say that the facility with which students and faculty can search the collection makes up for it.

[Ernie]

Great timing Melissa, I will be shopping for a new library system this year too. Let's compare notes as we go along.

[Melissa Tredenick]

Well, just to keep you all updated - we ended up going with Atriuum by BookSystems. We were using Concourse by Book Systems but Atriuum is their more inclusive software package so we considered it a significant upgrade. We are up and running and it is great so far.

While I was awed by Destiny's reviews and features, the price tag was definitely out of our reach, especially the yearly subscription cost. For the same price (and maybe even less) we had Atriuum up and running, and it is hosted off site by BookSys! Which for people in the tech department like myself is great, one less server to manage!

[Barbara Jansen]

We use Destiny and really like it. Students have web access and the admin side is easy to learn and use.

[Michele]

My school is trying to decide between Destiny and Atriuum. We are a K-12 and are not currently automated. Has anyone here used both and have partiality towards one?