The first thing I discovered in my research was that Destiny is actually a suite of software including a library management system, a textbook manager, a media manager, an asset manager, and a curriculum called Aspen. Though each of these software systems can be integrated into a cohesive school management system, it is not necessary to subscribe to the entire software suite. With this in mind, this review will focus on Destiny Library Manager.
Basically, Follett breaks down library management into three aspects: Destiny Library Manager, Destiny Quest, and Digital Subscriptions. The library manager offers resource management as well a collaborative, social-network type environment for patrons. Destiny Quest is a graphic interface for searching the web. Digital subscriptions offer a range of curriculum support tools.
Destiny Library Manager's major functionalities are circulation, cataloguing, searching, reporting and library management functions (I'm not sure what these are - I couldn't find any specific details). For statistical reports, there is in-system integration with Follett's Titlewise software; for acquisitions and cataloging, the software integrates with Follett's Titlewave. The social-networking aspect of the program allows uses to have profiles and "friends" and share reviews of books. Additionally, Destinly offers a mobile management app for LMS who want to manage circulation and other library tasks on the go. In all, the management system sounds a lot like Alexandria, the system I used during my practicum, but without the social networking or mobile aspects. However, I admit that these are enough to intrigue me.
Destiny Quest claims to have a "student-friendly search interface" which features graphics for student use. I think the best way to show this is to include a few screenshots from the Destiny website. Image 1 is the screen a student sees once they initiate a search. Image 2 shows how students might refine a search. Image 3 gives an example of the social networking aspect of the program. One final note about searching - Destiny does offer an app and smartphone-friendly interface for those students and faculty that want to search on the go!
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Finally, Destiny offers what Follett calls "digital subscriptions"which look at managing web content, reading level, curriculum standards, MARC records, and database services. From what I could find, these are certainly useful, but many schools may find them redundant, as they already have programs in place to address these needs. For example, WebPath express offers a way for educators to monitor and regulate web content for students, but many schools have firewalls in place through their IT department. Another example is a reading service that helps students find books at the appropriate reading level, but many schools may use the Scholastic Reading Inventory, or other assessments that monitor student reading level. Finally, database usage is certainly important, but all Montana citizens have access the EBSCOhost through the state library.
According to Automation Marketplace, most of Destiny's new integrations this year have to do with eBooks and FollettShelf - a virtual bookshelf. I did look into Follett's eBooks, and it looks like a library would have to buy book bundles for students to access the Follett eBooks. The starter high school fiction bundle runs nearly $350, while unlimited access to the high school common core 28-book history series is nearly $1800. Though it seems good, I'm not sure how well the system would work with eBooks that are not from Follett. In fact, I know of at least one library with this management system that decided to use Overdrive for eBooks, rather than the Follett's integrated system.
As someone who knows so very little about library management systems except for my research this week and for conversations with a few librarians, this is helpful. I, too, looked at Follett. The website has so much to wade through, doesn't it? I hadn't considered that for some schools, some of their services could be redundant. Since we are not automated, I am just thinking a starting point, not a middle point.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Follett has a lot to offer but maybe its too good to be true???
ReplyDeleteLibrary management functions are many things -- like picking when to run system updates and back-ups and maybe putting restrictions on some accounts -- odds and ends that you don't think about until you want to do something.
ReplyDeleteFollett Destiny is full of features, so for someone like Glenda, you don't have to deploy them all at once. you can start simple and then add more features as you go along.
I don't know anyone in a school library using the social features, but I wish I did. Schools do worry about privacy and of course about people who might post inappropriate things. Librarians worry about having to spend time policing postings and where to draw lines. Public and academic libraries have the same concerns, but it would be really interesting to see what would happen if those features were enabled.