Sp10488MyInfo

Items checked out to the account and resource lists.

The “My Info” portion of Follett’s Destiny cataloging system provides users a way to track their account and usage. To access the “My Info” tab the user logs in with a user ID and password. The user ID can be imported from other log-in systems from the district and users can be encouraged to keep the same password across multiple applications. This increases the likelihood that the patron will remember the user ID and password and therefore uses the “My Info” features.

Once logged into the Destiny, a “My Info” tab appears alongside of “Home” and “Catalog.” From this tab the patron can access “Patron Status” and “Resource Lists.” “Patron Status” allows the patron access to “Items Out, “Fines,” Holds,” and “Recommended Titles.” The “Resource Lists” section gives the patron access to personal and public lists that have been created.

“Patron Status” is a great way for students and staff to take responsibility for their individual library accounts. Since Destiny can be accessed from any computer with internet access at any point, patrons can check their account for upcoming due dates, overdue books, and the status of holds. The “Recommended Title” section allows users to recommend books to each other, similar to Facebook’s book shelf, except in a monitored situation. The librarian can choose to monitor all comments and/or filter for selected words.

“Resource Lists” are a great way for patrons to track reading and research resources. Once logged into Destiny, the patron may return to the catalog and search for resources. Since the patron is logged in the catalog now provides a link to “add to list.” By adding the resource to a list the user can easily find the resource at a later date on the “Resource Lists” page in “My Info.” For example, if a student is searching the catalog on a topic of interest and finds several books that s/he would like to eventually read these titles can be added to a “Resource List.” Or, if a teacher has requested resources of Native American legends, the librarian can create a resource list and make it public. Then the teacher and students can access the list once the resources have been re-shelved. Further, if the teacher requests the same resources in subsequent years the list can be accessed and the resources gathered quickly, perhaps by a library aid. The student can also select titles from the list that s/he used for the research and add to a personal list, which provides the student with a list of resources.

=Bibliography= Franzen, J. (2010, March 25). School Library Media Intern. (J. Franzen, Interviewer) Melcher, S. (2010, March 25). Library Secretary. (J. Franzen, Interviewer) Whearty, N. (2010, March 25). School Library Media Specialist. (J. Franzen, Interviewer)