Using some sort of Electronic Sign In to Library

[Tina M. Glatz]

Hi,

 

I'm toying with the idea of setting a computer up near the front entrance of my high school library to use as an electronic sign in and an information display.

 

Currently we have a handmade sign that is boring and a clipboard for students to sign in.  I'm thinking of creating a Google Form for students to use to sign in. 

 

Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions?

 

Tina

[Catherine Scholl]

I was thinking of doing the same thing, but I was afraid things would slow down at lunches where several student come in at once. I am wondering if we could scan their IDs?

[bj neary]

That is what we do- makes it very quick!

[Nikki Robertson]

I use an Excel spreadsheet for this task.  It has worked great!

[Tina M. Glatz]

Nikki,

 

Thanks for sharing the photos!  I like that idea as well.  Then you wouldn't have to be dependent on the Internet working.

 

 

[Anne Poole]

Our school uses Genesis for student check in at our Media Center.  We have a scanner and students use their IDs.  What gradebook program does your school use?

[Catherine Scholl]

We use Blackbaud Gradebook.

[Tina M. Glatz]

Anne,

 

We use TeacherEase.  Our student information system is ESIS.  I haven't heard of Genesis.

 

[Anne Poole]

Genesis is a student management system with grading and scheduling functions.  We were able to get their tech support to create a login for the Media Center which could scan in students using their IDs, and then do a mass check out at the end of the period so we didn't have to waste time having each student scan their ID again.  It created a screen where students either scan in their ID or type in their last name.  It is also used to check in late students in our main office.  Perhaps you could have ESIS look into creating a similar solution? 

[Catherine Scholl]

We also use Moodle. I am wondering if Moodle has an attendance component.

[bj neary]

What kind of library catalog system do you have?  We have Destiny and our students scan their IDs before school, after  school, and the 3 lunch periods and it works pretty well. 

[Tina M. Glatz]

BJ,

 

We have Destiny also.  Do you mean they scan their IDs to check out books or just to sign in to the library?

[bj neary]

They can scan their IDs to enter the library.  When I said pretty well--there were a few problems.  In our district they restrict how long a webpage can stay open...so after 10 minutes we would lose all the students who scanned their IDs if we hadn't printed the report out.  So, tech told us to keep the scanning for attendance purposes on Mozilla and we have the library catalog on Internet Explorer open both at the same time just different tabs.  Do you want to call me and I will walk you through it?  215-887-4117 and my cell us 215-740-8677