Looking for a new online catalogue

[Pat Ropchan]

Hi everyone,

We are in the process of changing our library’s online catalogue. At this point, we have been using Athena (Sagebrush/Follett product) for about 10 years. Unfortunately, our catalogue is not web based and the program will no longer be updated or supported (tech support). We need to move on. Could you tell me which OPAC you are using and if you are happy with it?

We have been looking at Destiny.

Thanks,
Pat

[Carolyn Brook]

We just upgraded to Destiny from the non-web-based Follett circulation system. We love it!

[Ronda Scroggins]

My district uses III Millennium which I would not recommend. We belong to a consortium that includes academic, public, and K-12 schools. III was mainly written for LOC not Dewey so there have been many issues there. Also, my District holds back lots of the capabilities so I can't get what I want when I need it so that would change a little if you have access to it all (The report requests are not very user-friendly in my opinion though). However, the reports I do have access to are often inaccurate (statistics on checkout, etc. that I have proven are contradictory).

[Jennifer MacKenzie]

Guess I should have read through all of the posts before starting a new thread. Another librarian in my district wants to move to Destiny, but my experience with Follett and support for Athena has really soured my wanting to continue using Follett products.

[Tiff E.]

Don't let that keep you from switching! I used to have Athena, and their tech support was useless. But Follett's is MUCH better.

[Tom Adamich]

Hi. Have you ever consider open source for the school library?

Nicole E. Engard (Open Source Evangelist, LibLime): Serials Management in KOHA’s open source library software. The presentation will help you understand what open source is all about and show you how the Koha Open Source Automation system can not only handle formats like serials in the library catalog, but provide better services to patrons.
http://www.web2learning.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/ala-serials.pdf

Nicole C. Engard
Open Source Evangelist, LibLime
(888) Koha ILS (564-2457) ext. 714
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

...Hope this helps.

Tom Adamich
Tom Adamich, MLS
President
Visiting Librarian Service
Senior Executive Consultant
Mitinet, Inc.
P.O. Box 932
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
330-364-4410
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

[Jennifer MacKenzie]

I considered Koha because it would work at the high school. I am not so sure that the lower 2 schools were interested. I think they like the bells and whistles provided by Destiny.

[Tricia London]

I'm part of a (mostly schools) library network, Masscat. MassCat uses the open source system called Koha. We contracted with LibLime to provide us with hosting, migration and "help desk" services. The transition was a bit rough, but it is certainly less expensive than the other options.

Tricia London
Avon Middle High School
Avon, MA

[Jennifer MacKenzie]

Tricia,
Funny I was just looking at your site. I have a student from your school in my online VHS class. Small world.

[Tricia London]

Really? Who?

Tricia London
Avon Middle High