The start of a new school year is a whirlwind of emotions and activities that can be both overwhelming and exciting. We spoke with educators and administrators to gather their best tech tips and preparation protocols to help you stay on top of asset management year after year.

Stay on Top of Inventory and Reporting

Using the flexible reporting functions of Follett Destiny® Library Manager can significantly help you stay organized. Tom Bober, Library Media Specialist at Captain Elementary School in Clayton, Missouri, uses Destiny Library Manager for a wide range of organizational tasks, saying:

“Sublocations, lists, and copy categories in Library Manager have helped to not only digitally organize our collection in creative ways but also make it easy for everyone in the building to search our library collection in and out of the physical library space.”

When asked about start-of-the-year housekeeping routines, Mariko Kisada Kinikin (@nph_library/Instagram) advised:

“If you’re coming into a new library, check their inventory history to see how much work you’ve got ahead of you! Review your back office. Make sure the emails are current, the messaging is current, you’re happy with the limits, and your calendar is populated.”

Utilize On-Demand Tutorials

Getting acquainted with software applications at the start of the school year can be challenging. Monica Lourenco (@camelbacklibrarian/Instagram) recommends taking advantage of Follett’s back-to-school workshops and seminars. Brent Robins, a Library/Media Specialist from Carlisle, Iowa, also praised the Follett Institute, saying:

“I have appreciated the Follett Institutes [seminars] because they have helped me ‘up my game’ in terms of utilizing the full range of options available within Destiny. The trainings have been well-organized, led by professional training staff, and the recordings provided (typically the next day) allow me to review any areas I need to revisit on my own.”

Consider registering for training workshops to access Follett Destiny Back-to-School Checklists for both Library Manager and Resource Manager. Also, explore the “Did You Know?” video series and the upcoming fall Follett Institute schedule, which includes instructional courses for both Library Manager and Resource Manager.

Customize Your Software

There’s a lot you can do with Library Manager to ensure it works best for you. Michelle Davis, Teacher Librarian at Abingdon Elementary School in Hayes, Virginia, recommends adding new faculty with a password so they can place holds. For a bit of fun, Amanda Hunt (@thenextgenlib/Twitter) demonstrated a clever way to personalize your audio alerts. Marcie Lewis, Lower School Teacher-Librarian & ICT Specialist at Ridley College in St. Catharines, Ontario, praised the flexible reporting capabilities in Library Manager, saying:

“I really like the various reports that I can run to see circulation levels, trends, and ensure books are returned.”

Find Your Ideal Data Management Solution

Managing and utilizing educational system data can be a daunting task. Follett Aspen® Student Information System (SIS) shines as a tool for both administrators and educators, offering online registration and data-driven student performance analysis, among many other functions. Tim Reed, Data Integration & Reporting Lead at Boston Public Schools, embraced Aspen SIS as a critical data management tool, saying:

“I can’t imagine managing data for a district the size of BPS without features like scriptable procedures and exports, direct SQL queries, analytics, and configurable export formats.”

Hardware is Your Friend

As the school year ramps up, ensure your barcode inventory is fully stocked and your scanners are ready to go. Keith Schroeder, Director of Library Services for Marinette School District in Marinette, Wisconsin, praised his Follett scanner, saying:

“It just keeps working, and working, and working…”

Conclusion

The start of a new year is always hectic, but Follett Software products, including Aspen SIS, are designed to help educators and administrators support learning wherever and whenever it takes place. We’re proud to offer these flexible, customizable software solutions to help you stay organized all year long.

Learn more about how Follett can support your school.