Follett Destiny Library Manager Reviews

Follet for Destiny when it comes to Library Management

Comments: Timely access of information is achieved, keeping a track of leased out books is easy and this software has lessened alot of paper work and record management.

Pros:

The fact that I can keep up tracking the library's resources such as materials and media using Follet Destiny Library Manager, make work easy. With real-time information, as an administrator, I can relay time lapse information through e-mails or shorthand messages to users prior to the due time. This software has given me a chance to easily do stock count, for instance, available materials and media, materials and media lost and who lost them.

Cons:

Well with this upcoming and growing library, I have not seen any fault yet for Follet.

Best library software out there

Comments: I’ve used it in two school systems and it is very good!!

Pros:

Easy to use. Very user friendly. Reliable. Dependable. Great customer support.

Cons:

Can’t add new students or teachers myself. An admin must do it. Inconvenience to have to wait

Keep looking

Comments: I am unhappy and have left Destiny Library Manager.

Pros:

Being able to create my own bar code. I liked that the picture of the book was offered.

Cons:

Log in 3 times to use. Fill in sections for patrons I leave 90% of it blank. The lack of organization of the program. You can't just look up fiction or non-fiction.

Excellent customer service, constantly improving

Comments: Our overall experience is positive! Students like the bold interface that they see, and it helps for them to be able to see a large picture of the book they are looking at, like it's on a shelf (we are at the elementary level, and choose the most "simple" interface).

Pros:

We recently migrated to Destiny, after several teacher librarians (myself included) pushed for the change. We all love it. It is mostly easy to use, on both the back end and for students. The tabs help keep things organized, and there are help buttons if you can't find something on your own. On that note, their customer service is unparalleled. I have never had a problem contacting someone at Follett who can answer my questions quickly.

Cons:

The one thing that can be a little cumbersome is how many tabs to you have to click on and "drill down" to get to a feature. Like a lot of software, if you're not performing a particular task every day, you can easily forget what you clicked on to get to a certain function. That said, Follett is constantly listening to customer feedback to improve functionality!

My Destiny Library Manager Review

Comments: I think it is a solid program that makes organizing a library easy. I have accounts set up at different access levels, so the students can use it as well. There is a self-checkout station in my library for instance. It is not the most user friendly program, but it gets the job done well.

Pros:

I like how easy it is to track all items. Mostly I track books as they are checked in and out by patrons, but I can add other items to track as well. I keep track of doc cams, projectors, external DVD players - basically anything that a teacher could need to borrow from the library/tech center. It is easy to look up information on patrons, books or other items. I use the feature to classify books or other items in sub-locations so I know if the book is in general circulation, or if it is one of the books kept elsewhere for classroom novel studies.

Cons:

One drawback is that the software is not as intuitive as it could be. There are many tabs and menus an it takes awhile to know where all the features are. Also, the software helps are not that helpful. If I have questions about wanting to do something, for example, setting up auto reminders to turn in books, I had to ask another librarian who was more familiar with the system to walk me through it. I also just look up questions on the internet if I need to do something specific.

Eleven Years' Experience with Destiny!

Comments: Easy to catalog, circulate materials and send overdue notices. Keeping track of interlibrary loans and interlibrary requests is also a breeze with this software. In general the software makes a librarian's life SO easy!

Pros:

I love the union catalog since it makes viewing the entire district's collection easy--at a glance! What a perk when requesting materials for students and teachers through interlibrary loan! Users can search items in many different modes and the circulation platform is amazing. Users can email or print overdue notices, you can enter various email addresses to send notices and cataloging is a breeze!

Seem it ok but hard to automation

Comments: We used Destiny for several years, overall this product helps us to run library, we also using integration to integrate with school information system. I think Destiny is a best product for Library management, a lot of international school in Vietnam using it.

Pros:

I like customer support, they provide correct information, destiny using for our library is ok. We using a hosted version.

Cons:

Some time SFTP server down, SFTP server where store our patron file, we have to contact customer support several times.

Nice but getting outdated

Comments: Once you learn the system, its still a bit complicated to find what does what, but its manageable. It lacks management you'd expect at a district level but works great for per building managment.

Pros:

Destiny is comprehensive and will manage large libraries easily and quickly

Cons:

Reporting and inventory management is outdated and difficult to bulk import. Much of their reporting is awful at best.

User-friendly for staff and students

Comments: As long as you don't need to update student/patron records from Skyward, you're probably okay.

Pros:

The graphical interface (with multiple themes) for students is fun and engaging. The frontend is very easy to use. Administrator tools are a little confusing to use at first. Online help is thorough and useful - the product's saving grace.

Cons:

One complaint: Updating the Follett patron database is not compatible with Skyward (student information system) - requires a hands-on-intensive data collection/conversion/upload process (which we must do several times a year). Automatic updates was the pivotal feature we were sold on when deciding on purchasing - that was not a realistic promise. Uploading student pictures is no easier. Attempts at automating these processes have proven futile.

Good Library Management System

Pros:

You can fully customize the software and it will work with MySQL, SQL Express and Full SQL license, you can add patrons, bar codes, inventory, etc and give users within your organization access to the inventory. Works great with active directory

Cons:

Upgrades could be a pain so make sure you have a valid support

Destiny Library Manager - So You can Find your Books!

Comments: We've been using Destiny for nearly 15 years now, and as the project manager, I was happy to replace our old, desktop application library management software. It allowed student's access to an online Card Catalog, and offered a base start for younger students to access the internet. Managing the software has been easy. Most of the time, employees don't require training as they step it. Just once or twice seeing it in use, and they figure it out. Follett offers a quality service, and when I've had a few (very, very rare) issues over the years, they have always responded back right away with the information I need. No bouncing through scripted responses, they just solve the problem. So Follett Destiny, it does the job, and it does it well. (And I've seen other School's alternatives, and I'm happy we have Follett).

Pros:

Destiny is an excellent web based Library Management system. In the old days we called it our "Digital Card Catalog." It has a number of great features (some of which are addons), to show book covers, related links, and more. It has long since been our front end for our libraries, and our Librarians (and helpers), have required little training for them to do their jobs. The software is frequently updated, when a critical issue occurs, but also yearly patches to keep things fresh enough. The software also has a nice add on, Web Path Express, for younger students to explore topics their are searching for. If a student searches for Baseball (within Destiny), a student will be offered curated high quality content links from the Internet that might be pertinent to their research. It's a great starter for our little guys. Does interface with Active Directory too!

Cons:

Destiny's interface is a little dated. After years and years of use, it just looks old. Functionality is not lost, nor is anything else. But seriously, I cannot come up with much more than just that it's "classic" look. Destiny is a bit pricey (but competitive.... )

Use It Every Single Day

Comments: This program can do SO many things I'm sure I don't know the half of it. The reports alone that can be done take time to learn, manage and then master. It's an incredible program for a school library to have. I couldn't manage this junior high library without it.

Pros:

I like the fact that it keeps records of material in our library in various forms. I can categorize material in fiction, nonfiction, biographies, graphic novels, dvds, audio books, even supplies like scissors and then bar code that material. Check that bar code out to a specific individual and it keeps a record of when it was checked out and when it should be returned if I put a due date on it.

Cons:

There is a page called categories and when you input new material into the database and then can check off what type of material it is: fiction, equipment....even get specific if you'd made those categories like a category of fantasy books......the page that lists ALLLLLLL your categories that you've ever made has the names of the categories on the left...the box you have to check to place that material into a category is WAY over on the right. It's difficult to see if you are checking off the correct thing when the category name and the box are so far apart from each other.

Great For A School Library

Comments: While the system functioned well and easily for years, as we grew, our library needed more options. The public became more familiar with online options and resources and expected us to offer many of the same things. We chose to move onto another software platform but I'd still recommend Follet to a smaller library and or school based library.

Pros:

Follett was a good product. When our library was in it's beginning stages of being digitized this was a good jumping off point.

Cons:

As our library grew in patron numbers and collections size and more and more technologies and services were becoming the norm we needed a more expanded system. Follett is much more suited to school libraries.

I don't know what we would do without Folleett in our school library.

Comments: See above under what I like MOST about this software.

Pros:

I like that it's a one stop shop! It catalogs our collection for easy searching, I can make lists within it that are private to me or I can share, I can also run any report I can think of and even program and schedule reports to be run and even emailed to teacher or students. When I use Title Wave to look up books that I am considering buying, it tells me if I already own it, cutting out the need to look up each title in my collection. The customer service is phenomenal and they always go above and beyond to make my job so much simplier.

Cons:

Any issue we've had has been on then end of our district. We have people at a district level that can run updates or fix issues we may be having.

Easy to Learn, Great Customer Support

Comments: I use it to automate my library. I have used it for many years, have not had any problems. Occasionally the books are not in their system and the system takes a long time to let you know. Some restrictions are in place by my organization so I am not able to catalog new items. Generally been very pleased with the software. The customer service is excellent and they do respond to user suggested improvements.

Pros:

It is very user friendly, easy to learn and use. The customer service is very friendly, always helpful. Been using it for years, never had an issue I couldn't resolve.

Cons:

Can be slow at times if product is not in the system.

Love Destiny

Comments: The Destiny program keeps me up to date on any data I need to look at. I can run from general reports to the most detailed about my collection.

Pros:

The program is easy to use and understand. All the reports you need to manage a library are available and easy to use. The look is clean and easy to find what you need on the screen. The help menu has every possible question you could ask and provides visual of where you need to go or do.

Cons:

More information on the specific books provided on initial check out screen rather than having to click further to get it.

Useful Tool for Teachers!

Comments: Our school uses this software with our library, as the other schools in the district do. When I am create lessons and looking for read alouds as anchor texts or examples, the search features within this software make finding appropriate books easy. This is a huge time-saver.

Pros:

As a teacher, I love having access to this to view books in my school library. It is easy to select specific information or categories in order to find the resources I need. I also can access other libraries in our district, as we are all using the same software for our school libraries. This is particularly useful when a specific resource is needed that is not available in my building. I like the ability to log in to my own account as well. I really like that I can search books by categories or themes - such as friendship or character change. This is helpful when creating units.

Cons:

I cannot think of anything that I dislike about this software. Each time I use the site, I notice another feature that I can utilize in creating lessons and preparing for my students.

Destined for Use

Pros:

This software has a robust, user-friendly interface that allows easy ingestion and update of objects into (and out of) the database.

Cons:

While it's easy to set up automated reports, you have to be extremely careful when setting them up, or you might miss a key setting

Ne backGood system but can be clunky

Pros:

Follet is good at managing the the library resources. The database manage,et and checkout system works efficiently.

Cons:

The deployment and backend management is cumbersome and can be frustrating.

Destiny review

Comments: We have been using Destiny for 8 years now and find it very user friendly. Staff training is very hands on. Follett is open to suggestions for updates.

Pros:

ease for training new staff

Cons:

some updates have caused some of our external sign-ins to cease working

This is a great LMS system that is also budget friendly!

Comments: We get great benefits for little cost.

Pros:

I enjoy how budget friendly the software is, and it is easy for students to use. I also like how the cloud system updates itself.

Cons:

I would like the website to be a bit more visually pleasing to students. Most of my students use the basic functions, and it does not look as flashy as other sites.

Cumbersome, online help is outdated, replies to emails go unanswered

Comments: It was the one in place when I started work here. I would not have chosen this software.

Pros:

about the only thing that I have found to be above average at all is the ability to include searches to other subscriptions within the interface

Cons:

Way to many functions require too many 'manual' steps. Media Specialists / Librarians should not have to have the amount of technical knowledge that it takes to perform basic functions.

Follett Prepares Students for Future Jobs

Comments: It has been a pleasure to learn to use Destiny. It is fairly easy to use.

Pros:

The ability to allow students to be self sufficient helps run a small library. Students can check books out and help with inventory.

Cons:

I feel like the resources manager is a little difficult to learn.

Good transition for school libraries

Comments: Follett Destiny really has its niche in school libraries and you can see why in the easy to view catalog and colorful buttons to entice children to use the libraries catalog.

Pros:

I love the color customization and the fact that each school library can have access to customize their own page to the school's needs.

Cons:

At first it was difficult to transition only because we were used to an old catalog system but once that wore off, the system got easier to understand.

Best option for school libraries

Pros:

At this point, Destiny is ubiquitous in the school library world. It's a mature product that has deeply delved into its niche. It incorporates discovery of physical and digital collections in a way that's truly accessible to younger students. That's where it excels- there's a handful of good integrated library systems out there, but very few have so effectively zeroed in on the younger audience. When teaching children to learn to research, you need the right tool if they're going to have success, and this is it.

Cons:

It could be less expensive, or, at least, the pricing could be more transparent.