We use the Follett Destiny Library Management System. Not only does it allow for all of my cataloging, circulation, and collection developing needs but it also has a user login feature. For the first time this year, I gave all of our third, fourth, and fifth grade students (including faculty) their own login accounts and here are the 10 reasons why I did:

 

10. Users can see what they have checked out and when items are due back to the library.

 

9. Users can renew their own books; I have it set to one renewal per item.

8. Users can create their own virtual shelves and keep track of What I Am Reading, What I Have Read, and What I Want To Read (especially handy for those users who read voraciously, like me :)

7. Users can put books on hold that they want to read but are checked out to someone else.

6. Users can notify me of items to purchase for the library that we don’t already own.

5. Users can rate the books they’ve read and write book reviews which other users can see.

4. Users can create a network of “friends” within the system which allows them to recommend books to each other and have online discussions about books with their “friends.”

3. Because logging in to Destiny Quest uses the power of social media to create a personal experience around the library collection, students are excited about books and love using the library.

2. Students are excited about books and love using the library.

1. Students are excited about books and love using the library.

(Yes, I know, I don’t really have 10 reasons but it’s not cheating because I’ll do anything to get students to be excited about books and to love using the library, even if I have to repeat myself.)