HIT: Dynix to other circulation systems2 (Long)

[Marge Cox <mcox@ECICNET.ORG>]

Dear Colleagues,

Part 2.  Hope it helps the cause.  :) Thanks to everyone who
responded.
 Marge

I am responding to your request about information about automation
software. This is the second year that we have been using Alexandria
for Macintosh and I feel it is a very good product. I would encourage
you to look into it. While no product is perfect, in this case the
staff is knowledgeable, tech support is very helpful and usually
available, and Alex is willing to change suggestions into updated
features! I have used two other programs (Follett and Winnebago) and I
am glad that I chose Alexandria. If you have any further questions,
please feel free to contact me.
Anja Danielson, Media Specialist
Moose Lake School
PO Box 489
Moose Lake, MN  55767
adaniels@mooselake.k12.mn.us
218-485-4435

I am a CompanionCorp-Alexandria Library system user on the MAC and I
am very happy.  Prior to March 1997, I was using Follett Circ+, but
no on-line catalog.  Our district investigated 17 automation systems,
narrowed down to three, had those three companies present to 25
librarians, and about 25 principals and central office people.  We
selected Alexandria as the best automated library system for several
reasons.
#1 - service - available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
#2 - Components that can be bought in stages from small school 3
station to Wide Area Networks
# 3 - Best graphic interface around - Kids Catalog from Carle
 #4 - Conversion products - SmartMarc interface with Brodart's
Precision One
# 5 - Cross-Platform component for MAC and #IBM use

One of my favorite aspects is the ability to inport and export data
(items and patrons) with the use of ClarisWorks or ASCII files.
I love the people you interact with.  They are concerned about the
user and are extremely friendly and HELPFUL!
Contact me for more information if you want.
susie franklin
KCHS High School
(907) 283-2116

Our district adopted Dynix scholar but not before a few of us had
begun with Alexandria. Those of us who had Alex first, are wishing we
had remained with it. I held out and never did use Dynix but everytime
I go to a librarian's meeting, I hear, "You were smart to remain with
Alex!"  I gather it's a whold lot "user-friendly". I find the
tech-support is great and I recommend it. We do have the Mac version
so can't speak to the DOS version. Good Luck on your decision! (Alex
wasn't dual platform at the time our district had to select a program)
Jacque Fondren
Cedar Heights Jr. High
Library

We use Alexandria and we love their support.  I have never been put on
hold and when I call I get someone right away who can answer my
questions. Alexandria has several features that I have not found in
other automation systems.  For example, Alexandria keeps  a "running
total" on the circulation screen of all of the transactions for that
day.  This is very helpful when you have a student aide.  You can see
what they have done.  It also helps us catch our mistakes very
quickly.
 Sincerely, Damita Underwood Media Specialist DGF Schools
Glyndon, MN

We currently have Dynix and are in the process of moving over to
Follett.  This will be happening this summer ASAP!  Thank God!!!
Dynix has become too pricey for us to maintain.  We are much smaller
then your district (only 1100 students) but we wish to have a union
catalog with the one feeder school that we have and at this point it
is impossible with Dynix without spending an arm and a leg to do it.
We are going to Follett because their new product, Web Collection
Plus, will allow us to do this.  The only thing it will now allow us
to do is see whether or not an item is checked out.  Because we are so
small this is no problem for us.  We will maintain the web part
separately from the individual circulation systems.  This is not the
best senario but definitely not the worst for a small district like
ours.  We have a K-12 facility that will allow us to one big
circulation system and then the web plus for our catalog.  We
currently have internet access at all levels so this is not a problem.
 By fall we should be on the web.  If you'd like to take a peak then
our web address is http://www.lomira.k12.wi.us.

Hope this enlightens you a bit.  Good luck....we're extremely happy to
be getting rid of Dynix. -- Tammy Dineen,Library Media Specialist
Lomira High School, Lomira, WI tammyd@lomira.k12.wi.us

I really like our system called Gateway Library Management System out
of Montana and runs on the AS400.  We can share records, search each
others libraries, ILL whenever we need to, use the student data
records, purchasing and ordering.  The administrative offices all are
on the same computer server too.
 Kathy Mentjes, Waseca Schools
e-mail: menk@wasecaps.waseca.k12.mn.us
 605 7th Street NE, Waseca MN 56093
phone: 1-507-835-2248 district
web site: www.waseca.k12.mn.us          fax: 1-507-835-3187

I have been working with a school district in Northern California who
chose SIRSI's Ecole for their nine media centers.  Ecole supports a
union catalog, has a GUI interface, and so far their customer support
has been great.  Take a look at their home page www.sirsi.com.  SIRSI
has been around for quite a while.
 Sally Martinus, MLS     Information Management Consultant
martinus@wahoo.sjsu.edu (408)462-9351
__________________________
Marge Cox
Noblesville Schools
Media Services Coordinator
Phone 317-773-3171
FAX 317-773-7845

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