[LM_NET] Hit- Destiny Patron Info (long)

[Priscilla Cox <pcox@GULF.K12.FL.US>]

Here is my original post.
Hello to all,

Our district has recently decided to go with a district wide circulation system and 
we have chosen Destiny. We are still in the set up phase of this but one question 
has arisen that is causing slight panic in our media specialists. Our schools are 
all small and because of this we have always just assigned our students a simple to 
remember patron id number that they use to check out books. The student gives the 
number; we type it in and then scan their books. With Destiny we will be using the 
student's district number which is 10 digits long. There is no way our students can 
remember a 10 digit number, especially at our elementary school level. So my 
question is this; how do you check out books using Destiny? Do you make each 
student a library card that they have to carry around with them? What do you do?
Thanks in advance and I will post a hit if anyone would like me to.

I received numerous responses and have included a variety of them. Many of them had 
the same suggestions. I want to thank everyone who responded. I am getting more 
today and if anything original comes in I will post another hit.

Priscilla
**We're in the stage of converting to Destiny just like you.  We're excited!  I use 
this method and will probably continue.  Each student has a paint stick with their 
barcode and name taped to it.  They keep these in the classroom and bring them when 
they come to check out.  The stick is their shelf marker as they look for books and 
the barcode is used when they check out.  Hope that helps.
**We just ask for their last name most of the time, and have the search set for 
last name...
**For elementary you can make cards that either you keep or the teacher keeps and 
you hand out during library time.  Or you can make a binder with a page for each 
teacher and all of the barcodes for that class on the page. I've done the binder in 
the past and it worked fine.
**Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers can learn to carry around a card, although I 
admit ours don't do a very good job of it, even though it's "required."
**With Destiny you can print a class list of barcodes for each teacher.
Most of my elementary schools print them and keep them in a binder at the 
circulation desk.  Of course, you can also make cards with the barcode on them.  If 
you use Lifetouch as your photographer, they will make you cards when they do 
school pictures.
You can also just type in the first or last name of the student or even the 
teacher's name to bring up the class.
** At the secondary level each student has a student ID with their 10 digit ID 
number (barcode).  At the elementary level each class has a sheet with all the kids 
ID/Barcode numbers.  You can also type in the student's name
** I have a notebook with student IDs  printed by homeroom.  Students come to the 
check out desk, say their homeroom and first and last name.  Works great!  But I 
only have 16 homerooms.
** I print out the student barcodes on a sheet of paper and have them arranged by 
homeroom teacher in binder at the circ desk.
** Hi...I am a single school, so I don't know if our method would work for you.
 All of our students have a three digit patron number. For students in grades 1 
though 4, we print out their patron barcode and attach it to an index card that 
stays here in the library. Before their class comes in, we put the cards in a 
hanging pocket chart and the students look for their name (also written on the 
card) which they bring with to the circulation desk, along with their book.
 Students in grades 5 though 8 are given their cards. They need to memorize their 
number. They also need to write it down on the first page of their homework 
assignment book, in case they forget or they lose their card. None of them use the 
cards; they know their number.
 If you contact Destiny, they can offer assistance. I found them to be very helpful 
when I started out.

** We have a 6 digit #.  Our kids recite it, we punch in, off they go.  However, it 
is very easy to make ID cards or the company who makes our school photos will also 
make (for free) picture ID cards for the kids.  Another way to go is a USB number 
pad.  You'd be surprised how the key pad will encourage the kids to remember their 
numbers

** We also have Destiny and all of our students use their student IDs to login in 
for the library and in the cafeteria.  They key their names in on the keypad.  We 
do look students up by last name when necessary.  My nephew has known his ID since 
kindergarten.

** We had Destiny at my last school which was K - 5.  The students had 9 digit ID 
numbers.  All the students grades 2 - 5 knew their numbers and used them 
successfully.  By January most of the 1st graders knew their numbers.  By the end 
of the year I was letting Kdg students type in their numbers on a keypad.  They can 
do it.  It helped that they used their number in the computer lab as well as the 
cafeteria.

When students forgot their numbers we had a book with barcodes at the desk arranged 
by homeroom.  At my present school we paste the barcodes on the front page of the 
student agendas.

**        This is our third year using Destiny.  In Destiny the patron record has 
fields for BOTH a District ID# and a local barcode number. Destiny searches for the 
patron record by the patron barcode number.  As long as your district would permit 
it, you could still assign the short student ID number and use that as the patron 
barcode.  The record still has the District ID listed, but you can search by the 
shorter number.  We do not use student ID cards or rolodex at the desk.  We just 
ask the student for their 5-digit ID number and type that in to access the record.  
It's also VERY easy to search by last name for students who forget their ID number.
        I'd be glad to answer any other Destiny questions.  You can see our catalog 
at: http://destiny.lcmrschools.com/
**our elementary used to keep bookmarks by class with the student's name and 
barcode.  When they came in as a class or independently, they were easy to locate.
At the middle school, I create a card, about half an index card.  We attach the 
barcode to this for them to carry around.  If they lose it we charge 25 cents to 
replace it.  We consider it training for high school.
At the high school, they have ID badges with their district issued number imbeded.  
They use their ID to checkout materials.  They have to pay $6.00 to replace th 
badge, which is why I consider my cheep little cards training.
* We use Destiny across our district and I LOVE it.  It is my all time favorite 
library software.  You'll love cataloging and sharing title records.  We also use 
district idea, which will work to your favor when a student transfers to you (or 
away from you) within district, since everything they owe will travel with them.
I print out library cards for the kids, which you probably know you can do with 
reports in Destiny.  They have a barcode on them.  I store the cards here in the 
library by class.  I have seen different libraries do this differently.  Mine are 
in my workroom filed by class in an old card catalog.  I just put out a class when 
I have them, next to the circulation desk.  I have seen other elementaries in the 
district but them out publicly so the kids can retrieve them themselves.
Another things schools have done, but it would be way too efficient for us, is have 
a student ID pinned to the student with their ID as barcode, then they can use it 
at lunch and library.  I think that's really cool, but our kids don't have IDs!
** We have Destiny and I love it! I have a large binder that I keep at the check 
out desk. The students' library cards are organized by grade level and teacher in 
the binder. I scan each student's card when they come up to the desk. It is quick, 
easy, and the kids don't have to keep up with their own cards!
**  Our district has been using Destiny a little over a year.  We have 4 scholls 
with enrollment around 900-1000 in each school.  Our students have a 7 digit number 
and have no problem remembering them.  They also have a lunch card that they bring. 
 if they bring their card to the library, I reward them with a piece of candy.  I 
also print a list of numbers.  Also, Destiny has a feature where you can type in 
the student's last name and click on Find Patron and it will list all of the 
students with that last name. When you click on the name it takes you to the check 
out page for that student.  I am in the middle school in our district.  I LOVE 
DESTINY!!! It is very easy to use and has many great reports.


Priscilla Cox

Media Specialist/Tv Pro/Yearbook Adviser

Wewahitchka Middle/High School

pcox@gulf.k12.fl.us

850-639-5729
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