Online Public Access Catalog ...OPAC

Destiny by Follett is what is currently used in my Middle School Library and the other three libraries in the district. I like the system and think it serves the library well. I am comfortable with the system and through my interview with the District’s Lead Librarian, I became aware of additional features and strengths of Destiny along with the reasons the district purchased the program five years ago.

 Destiny is web-based so it can be used from any Internet connected computer, allowing students and staff access from the library, the classroom and from home. It can also search for materials in the Middle School library as well as all other libraries in the district, increasing the amount of material available to patrons.

The system allows users to search for materials in a variety of ways including:  a basic search, a power search, a visual search (particularly nice in younger grades and with ELL students) and my favorite, a “did you mean search”.  Destiny is image-rich, with the purchase of an additional feature, pictures of book covers are displayed in a search list and clicking on the book cover (Title Peek) allows the reader to explore book pages and read reviews. To help with the selection of a book from a search list Destiny displays valuable information, such as the copies available in the collection, a description of the book and the books reading and interested level.   Destiny also makes suggestions of other subjects that are related to a book selected and a direct link takes the reader to a new list of material options.  

Patron records follow students in Destiny as they progress from school to school within the district. This feature eliminates the need to enter student information into the school OPAC as they move on through their school years in the district.

Service is an important consideration when maintaining and operating a school library. OPAC. Follett provides strong, efficient and flexible support for Destiny Library Manager.  It is available through email and on the web.  In addition, live customer service is available through phone service to help subscribers with problems and issues.

Barcodes, spine labels can be created in Destiny and MARC records can be downloaded.  Many types of reports can be created, including circulation statistics, overdue materials and the age of specific areas of the collection.

Internet Safety Sites

There are many resources available to help educate and empower parents, children , educators, and community members about the important issue of internet safety.  Here are a few:

Overall internet safety:

http://www.netsmartz.org/

Created by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children this site provides information on all internet safety topics. Information is provided for parents, educators, teens, tweens, young children and law enforcement.  Appealing graphics for students, includes real-life videos.  Tips and conversations starters for parents and educators

http://www.wiredsafety.org/youth.html

This is an all around good site for internet safety resources.  It provides information and lesson suggestions for teachers and librarians (with a good section on cyber safety through information literacy).  There are also links for parents that are available in both English and Spanish. It is also a good resource for students of all ages.

http://www.commonsense.com/internet-safety-tips/

This is an internet survival guide for parents created by common sense media.  It provides  good information for parents  to help children be safe and smart when  using the internet.

http://ikeepsafe.org/PRC/

This site is full of information for parents, kids and educators on all aspects of internet safety.  It includes videos & tutorials, lessons and activities.  Good resource.

Cyber-bullying:

http://www.athinline.org/

This site is for students and addresses online/digital bullying.  Information, videos, blogs, to help educate students about and speak out against cyber-bullying.

http://stopcyberbullying.org/index2.html

This site is focused toward students.  Provides students with definitions, strategies and legal considerations related to cyber-bullying.

http://www.cyberbullying.us/

This site provides information about how to work toward eliminating online social cruelty among students. Statistics and education resources are provided.  The Focus of this site is toward teachers of grades 6-12 students. Includes a link to a review of state bullying laws.

http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index.html

This site on all types of bullying provides information for kids, teens, parents, educators and community members about cyber-bullying.  Covers what is cyber- bullying, recognize the signs and how to get help.