I like being able to add copies easily by scanning the ISBN and adding a barcode and other basic info as needed. Also, the check-in and check-out process is simple and my students have learned how do this on their own and I typically only supervise that the entries clear. I love the forward facing library catalog that our school community can access anytime - it's very user friendly and visually appealing. As a new user, I've contacted customer support a few times and they are always helpful and quick to answer my questions. I use the platform every day. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
So far, as a first year user, the only area I have difficulty navigating is the Report Manager. I hope to learn more over the next few months to better utilize this part of the program. It will be interesting to see how inventory goes, I'm sure I'll reach out to customer service in advance to ask their help in video training before I implement that process. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
390 out of 391 Total Reviews for Follett Destiny Library Manager
Overall Review Sentiment for Follett Destiny Library Manager
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I love that it is such a friendly interface; All the modules of the software are intuitive and it actually helps a lot with the overall management of the library. Another point in favor is the good reception by the school's users, both students, teachers and employees in general. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I don't find anything negative about the tool itself, but I would really like an app in which everything related to searches and loan and return of materials could be done directly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Follett Destiny Library Manager is easy to use and regularly maintained. Although it meets our needs out of the box, it is also flexible and allows our school library to store and use information as we need to, which is especially important because we use this product all day, every day. The catalog search functions are wonderful and save so much time. I especially like that this product integrates flawlessly with our preferred book vendor, Titlewave, to make collection development and analysis easy. There is free training available, and customer support is professional, quick to respond, and easy to reach. The product works flawlessly on both the Mac and Chromebook products we have on our campus. From behind-the-scenes library maintenance to the user-facing library catalog, Follett Destiny Library Manager gives us everything we need in a user-friendly package. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
When compared to similar products I've used in other school libraries, Follett Destiny Library Manager is by far the best solution available. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The upsides of using Follett Destiny include the consintency of information. When cataloging new books manually, I can check the MARC records of other books in Destiny to find where to put certain tags that I might not remember off the top of my head (because I usually get shelf-ready). Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Destiny Library Manager has several areas that could use improvement. A more intuitive search function that recocnizes spelling errors and might offer a "Did you mean..." to accomodate ther error rather than having to go back and retype the entire search term again. This would be especially helpful when the library is busy and you have a line of students that are asking for you to look up books. I work in a Pre-K through 2nd Grade school so training them to search on their own doesn't work because they won't do it enough to remember it.
I'd like to see a change in the Library Search Search Results. When a book is marked as O of 1 available, I'd like to have an indication on the results page whether the book is marked as lost or checked out without having to click on it. This would save time when looking for books within a category for a student. Being able to go down the search results and tell a student which books are out and will be coming back in soon and which books are available without having to click into a title and back out again would be very helpful. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Follett Destiny Library Manager is easy to use and has all of the needed information a librarian would need and use. I like that it remembers things I have typed and keeps settings I set. The report builder has more options that I sometimes think I need, but then a random something happens and I check...sure enough there is a report for that. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The one thing I have seen that has been a dislike for me is not being able to add a quantity on the Liberary View side of the manager. I have bags of headphones that teachers check in and out for testing purposes ($40 headphones with microphones and they have to be kept accounted for). Not all teachers need the same amount...I have a note set attached to the barcode on each bag, but the only way to put in the amount a teacher needed is to edit the note. I have seen a quantity typing option on iPads in our Resource View side. One other feature I do not like is that when students have a yearly photo uploaded into our Skyward manager system, Destiny does not update photos automatically. I have students in high school with their lower elementary photo listed. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Basic functions (checking in/out, adding new books) are easy to use.
Destiny Discover is visually appealing to students and the easy to read in/out feature is helpful Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I use self checkout with older students. I have a simplified login that students use, but it is not specifically built for self checkout, so it is clunky. I would like an option specifically designed for self checkout, akin to what is available at my public library.
I also need the reports to integrate with the primary communication tool used by my district (ParentSquare) we are supposed to do all digital communication through that platform, but I cannot send reports through it, so I cannot.
I work in an elementary school. I would like the option to make the DEFAULT search in Destiny Discover BOOKS ONLY. Students are ENDLESSLY confused about ebooks showing up in results, thinking that means the book is in. I teach them about the symbols, but they still get confused everytime, especially the younger students. I wish the default was to search only for physical books and then they had to select if they wanted to include eBooks. There are ways to filter the results, but for young kids,any added steps, and they get confused. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
It is fairly simple to use. It is easy to show someone how to use the basic features. I haven't had to contact customer support because we have sort of a protocol if we have problems. We had to limit and streamline the Admin side of it as our school district grew. It seems to be useful to other areas in our district as we have started using other features. I use it every day and think there is probably still things I can learn about Library Manager. I don't have anything to compare it to, but it works for what I need and is easy to understand. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
There are many times I find myself saying, "I wish I could do..." when I'm doing things in Destiny. One of the concerns is separating refunds and fines. I send fine notices and refunds are included and that is confusing to parents. When using Resource Lists Collections I wish they were seamless when transferring information. I also wish Collections were more intuitive - tell me if I've already included a book in a collection so I don't have it 3 times. I also wish you could add to Collections from Back Office. When I try to go between the 2 I get signed out and it is frustrating. When a book is deleted from my catalog it should automatically be removed from Collections. These are good products, but they don't work well together. It adds more work.
Destiny Discover should be better integrated with Library Manager. It feels like a good product and is user friendly for students (most of the time), but it can't be managed in Library Manager. I would like to update Destiny Discover in Library Manager. There are times it doesn't feel like Destiny Discover works as well as Library Manager. It feels like it was introduced then kind of had the ball dropped to continue to make it better. They feel like 2 separate products, but Destiny Discover doesn't work for the students if I can't manage it better and I don't have time to go into Destiny Discover. I can't even have them both open because I will get signed out of one or both as I'm trying to work.
I also do not like that I have to go make suggestions on things for Destiny and then have to vote on other people's ideas for them to get noticed. Who has time to go read those? There should be a more direct way to use customer support for things like this.
I also don't feel that using the "help" in Library Manager is useful. It directs you to a "manual", but I don't always understand it. I would rather have a live chat to get immediate help. I also am not ever sure if I'm searching the correct terms to find what I need. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
As a district librarian, I appreciate the global capabilities that can align all of the schools in my district. I like the ease of use. Overall, I have had great customer service experiences, as well. As a tool that we use daily, it is a common language that we can all share. The business office staff likes that thet can use the various features to do things like assign fines for most of the departments in the district. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
With the changes at Follett and the split between content and software, there is a noticable difference in the support aspect. For the price, I am aware the many districts in my state are seeking alternatives and choosing to use other library management software. I am sure that we are not too far behind, especially since adding something like Resource Manager would be something that most district cannot afford. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Follett Destiny Library Manager (FDLM) is very user friendly for me - as a school librarian - to perform cataloguing, daily circulation and inventory tasks. Another bonus for FDLM is its capability in producing well-detailed reports and resource management. Both staff and students in my institution can easily get the access to the system to suit their needs. To be frank, FDLM enhances the library experience in our school library. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Initial steps are a bit complicated, it can take some training for new users. Interface updates are not as regular as we might hope, and the interface almost feels retro by comparison to current solutions. Budgetary concerns and licensing cost are a potential issue for smaller institutions. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
As a first time librarian with no previous exposure to library software, I was concerned with how not knowing how things work. Destiny Library Manager is very simple to use, but can do so much! I've only scratched the surface of all it offers, but I was able to get the basics down quickly with no formal training other that the video series that Follett offers. I also like how I can track books, students (patrons), and other materials from previous years without having to consult an outside source. I also like the access to Destiny Discover as it gives me confidence while I learn my library. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
I am not a fan of the newest updates. They look really nice, but it does slow down my access and sometimes it freezes entirely and automatically reverts to the older system. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Follett Destiny Library Manager reassures its users how to use the program in such a way it makes sense and it's not a guessing game to get the answers needed to feel successful.
The staff on-call is ready to assist, even to the point they show you what to click on to get the information needed. There are many online workshops for beginners. Customer Support is available whenever or however you need more information. This program was designed for its users to feel successful and know there are answers to every situation. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
The downfalls of using Follett Destiny might be self navigating and getting frustrated with the program before making a phone call or reaching online for additional help. Follett Destiny staff that will set up a time to sit down and go through what struggles are being faced. They are very knowledgeable and willing to guide librarians through the process of finding what is needed to feel confident and have a better understanding on how the software works. I was pleased to find out what free sites are available on their webpage to get all the information needed to feel successful. Customer support is there and is willing to direct or answer questions about their software and how to navigate easier to feel successful. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
