Minutes

Catholic School Librarians

April 17, 2008

St. Joseph School

Barb Cutler, Librarian hosting

The meeting began with a quick prayer by Barb Cutler, from the book A world of Prayers, selected by Jeremy Brooks.

Tim McKamey, Assistant Superintendent for Special Programs from the Catholic Schools Department of the Archdiocese, Stan Winters, representative from Follett Software, and Devone Smith, Director of Applications Services from the Puget Sound Education Service District (PSESD) introduced themselves

Tim McKamey began the discussion by explaining his philosophy that we, the Archdiocesan schools are a system of schools, of many schools, many different schools, and not a school system, and this makes him wonder how best to support the schools.
The billing complexities for Follett are a prime example that leave him $9000 in the hole.  Some schools are not paying for services not used, though billed.  Some bills are going to the schools and don't reach the librarian.  Some schools are paying twice, once by the librarian, once by the principal.  The bills are complex in and of themselves with a variety of services for each school.  On top of that, Sagebrush has now been bought by Follett. 
Tim has a color coded list of schools and will contact those from whom he is owed money. He does not want to be the "banker" for the schools, and Sr. Ann is trying to set up a method to resolve te issues with billing and payments.

Stan Winters is now in his 8th year with Follett and was a librarian before at Eastmont Junior High, so he understands our needs.  He is here to explain and promote Destiny Library Manager, the latest iteration of the Follett Software, and he sees all the benefits that Destiny can bring to our libraries.  It is a web based, or "browser based" software that can be access from anywhere at anytime.  Our libraries can be easily integrated either as a centralized district or on a centralized server with  individual libraries with all their individual quirks, call numbers and notes, within a district of Archdiocesan schools (really all Catholic school libraries in Western Washington)  All Saints School has already joined.

Devone Smith explained that all the Puget Sound ESD has joined with Follett Software Company to offer the Destiny Resource Management Solution by hosting library collections with Destiny on a server through the Puget Sound Educational District.

The basic Destiny Library Manager provides circulation cataloging, searching, reporting and management, all that we have been able to do with Follett, except that it is web based and always accessible. 

The transfer and license for the first year would cost $3800, plus $200 for initial set up on the PSESD server.  Annual support (starting year 2, would be $750, plus $300 for PSESD server hosting)  We would need 16 schools to form a group or consortium to get this group rate, and it is a considerable discount.  The contract would run from September 1 to  August 31.  Contact Tim McKamey if you are interested. tim.mckamey@seattlearch.org and perhaps Stan as well swinters@fsc.follett.com

Destiny also has three (3) additional subscriptions that would be included in the first year, with no additional cost.  After the first year, each would be an additional $200 each. 

Web Path Express:

This service automatically inserts thousand of professionally selected, age and grade appropriate websites into your library database, connected to the subjects of a book (what Destiny calls Explore!)

Standards

Destiny allows searching by Washington State Standards, connected to books and the web pages – wonderful for your teachers and for your administrators to know about

One Search

This service allows library users to search their Destiny Library database and many other online databases with a single search, and that includes Proquest, eLibrary, World Book, and more than 100 other databases, with no additional passwords.

List of databases

http://www.follettsoftware.com/misc/?calling=onesearch

What other reasons would you upgrade to Destiny?

Reports can be scheduled to run at certain times automatically

Can transfer student information remotely

Access to all databases and collection from home for parents and students for homework

There are Web 2.0 applications that allow more interaction. 

One option with version 8.0 allows books to be rated by the students, a 5 star ranking, and also books reviews can be included. 

With version 8.5 coming out later this year, there is TitlePeek™ that displays the book cover and varied content such as title profile, table of contents, brief summary, author notes, first chapter or excerpt, published reviews and more.

Great connection to curriculum with Standards Searching that includes EALRs and GLEs for books and websites – great way to pitch the program to administrators

Check the Destiny website for more information

http://www.follettsoftware.com/sub/destiny_solutions/

The six modules of Destiny

http://www.imakenews.com/follettsoftwaredestiny/e_article001067058.cfm?x=bcsGkPN,b4hSR1c9,w

All of these links are on the CSL website

http://www.library.stjosephsea.org/csla.htm

Agenda Business (which we did not get to)

Email Sue Harris sharris@holyrosaryws.org

Sr. Ann acorneliasullivan@holynames-sea.org

Or Barb – bcutler@stjosephsea.org

with any ideas, thoughts, comments

            New Discussion Topics

o Brainstorm and prioritize ideas for future Inservices

o Need to establish a mentoring program

o Curriculum planning

Best Practices

o Share an idea/lesson that you use to introduce the library and/or the curriculum/program to your students. Bring the ideas that “zing” and really work in your school.

o Secondly, bring your questions. Is there a component of the orientation process for which you would love a new idea?

Leaving?

If you are leaving your job and know the name of the new librarian, please pass along that information to Linda Lloyd, lindal@seattlearch.org at the Archdiocese

Library job openings – check the Archdiocesan website, WLMA, PNAIS

Eastside Catholic - grades 6-12

Talk to  Hardesty, Kathryn [khardesty@EastsideCatholic.org] if you have questions
Immaculate Conception Regional School - Math/Library/Technology
Our Lady of Fatima K-8

Next meeting

Our next meeting will be in the afternoon at the Professional Development Day, August 26, 2008

Time: 7:30-1:30 p.m.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Rita Pierson

Location: McCaw Hall, Seattle Center

Have a wonderful end of the school year and a grand summer!!

Barb