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Thank you for all of your input. I simply had all of the responses put into a word document. Again, it looks like Spectrum will be supported for at least two more years, but our Technology Coordinator is putting a new program into the budget now. Based on the responses, I plan on having a demonstration of the Destiny software. From our Sales Representative: I "just want to clarify that Spectrum will continue to be supported by Follett. However, it will no longer be updated. 5.3 is the last update. Did you receive the Destiny information?" Michael Drury Automation Consultant Sagebrush Corporation A subsidiary of Follett Software Company Phone: 800-533-5430 Ext: 6041 Fax: 800-795-4642 or 507-725-2301 Address: 131 Bissen Street Caledonia, MN 55921 Email: mdrury@sagebrushcorp.com Sagebrush website: www.sagebrushcorp.com <http://www.sagebrushcorp.com/> Follett website: http://www.fsc.follett.com/ We purchased ATRIUUM from Book Systems instead of going with a Follett program. We had been longtime Spectrum users also. Louise Brooks lbrooks@bobcat.k12.ar.us I am faced with the same thing. I did a lot of research and now am leaning toward Atrium by Book Systems "Frederick Muller" mullinator52@gmail.com I would be interested in what you find out. We also have Spectrum and have received the invoice from Sagebrush to continue our support at a cost of $450. Janie Brown/Librarian Newport Grammar School 301 College St. Newport, TN 37821 I worked with Spectrum about 7 or 8 years ago when it first came out. I hated it. Had used Winnebago for years and liked it. Changed districts and have been using Destiny since. Like it. Intuitive usage. Easy change for me. Lisa McCulloch, Librarian Richland High School 5201 Holiday Lane North Richland Hills, TX 76180 Hi Nicole: We have Athena here, also a Sagebrush product which Follett took over. I put money for a new software program into my budget in anticipation of it eventually not being supported, and much to my surprise, they are giving me money for it. To be honest, I've had some panicky moments because I don't know if I'm jumping the gun. Supposedly, Follett will be supporting Sagebrush products "for the foreseeable future". Logic tells me the days are numbered, but if you've heard anything more definitive, could you let me know? I also think Destiny should be offering Sagebrush customers a steeper discount than they are currently giving. Money is extremely tight, and the last thing I thought I would have to do is spend money on a new software program. I have been looking into Alexandria, from Companion Corp. There has been a lot of positive feedback on LM_Net, and it's a little cheaper than Follett. They are currently running a 50% off sale. I think our Athena program is like Spectrum in that it is fairly simple. Alexandria is more involved, and can be accessed through the web. I visited a school that had it yesterday, and they have been happy users for 10+ years. You can get a tour online at http://www.goalexandria.com. I like the functions of it, I just think it will take some getting used to. Also, their hardware requirements (also on the site) are pretty stringent. If you have any info on Follett and their support or lack of support for the Sagebrush products, I would appreciate it. Eileen Dunnack, LMS Woodstock Public Schools Woodstock, CT dunnacke@woodstockschools.net We LOVE Destiny! I would highly recommend. Best automation system I've ever used! "Carl Harvey" carl_harvey@mail.nobl.k12.in.us Nicole, I am exactly in your shoes. Do you have any pricing from Follett? I have been having some difficulty getting Follett reps to respond for some strange reason. I don't know if the sales people are not passing on the info or what the problem might be. How are things going for you? Bev Nelson bev.nelson@springgrove.k12.mn.us Our entire district switched over to Destiny in the fall. We were using Follett circ plus before. I like it a lot. It's easy to use, has some improved features such as the ability to easily print new barcodes and labels. It has tabs on the top to move from circ to cataloging and other modules with ease. It's pretty intuitive as well and has practically the entire manual on line under the help menu. Juliann T. Moskowitz Library Media Specialist Norwalk High School Norwalk, CT 06851 juliann14@charter.net HI, We just switched to Destiny this year and it seems to be working fine now that the kinks are worked out. It all depends on how good your central admin is regarding (PEIMS data), new students, withdrawn students, transferred students/ teachers, etc. Bottom line, current student/staff information needs to be updated on a regular basis. It's easy to use, the training was excellent and the import/add title feature eliminates the need to subscribe to MARC Wizard (I think). It's user-friendly! Corby Ahner Ojeda JH Library Austin, Texas "Ahner, Corby" cahner@del-valle.k12.tx.us Nicole: We began using Destiny at the beginning of this school year and really like it. Problems have been very few, and tech support has been great. I can't tell you the difference from another product, as we switched from Follett's Circ/Cat+, but I have worked with Spectrum at the local public library when I worked there part time, and I prefer the Follett product. Kate Hass Librarian Ubly Community Schools Ubly, MI 48475 tkhass@bearcat.ubly.k12.mi.us We now have Spectrum and are in the process of getting Destiny Library Manager the next school year. I'm feeling overwhelmed and hope I made the right decision. Let me know what are your thoughts after a meeting with Technology Director. Carolyn Kirkpatrick WPSD Pittsburgh, PA Carolyn Kirkpatrick ckirkpatrick@wpsd.org We have been using Destiny for 2 years and I really like it. It is user friendly, and the last upgrade addresses the majority of our requests. I am pleased. We are well-supported in our district regarding technology and don't worry about having the Internet "up." I have only experienced Internet down time once for part of one day, so this web-based product has been no problem. Destiny has been fewer problems by far than using the server-based Circ Plus of previous years. Sorry, I cannot offer any comments about other systems. Lisa Hunt lisa3moon@yahoo.com Hello Nicole, I will not be much help for you, but I wanted to express a little sympathy. Very frustrating situation that we are kind of forced to change. I am also considering what to do since I have Spectrum. I requested a quote for what it would cost to switch from Spectrum to Destiny a few months ago and never received it--frustrating. I did look online at a few examples of Infocenter and Destiny, just to see a comparison of the catalog part. I preferred the functions and look of Destiny. You have probably already tried that. If you receive some good advice, please post a hit. Good Luck! Wendi Colby, LMS 9-12 Northwood, NH wcolby@coebrownacademy.com Hi, I too have Winnebago/Spectrum. If the program is working, why do you think we Winnebago/Spectrum users need to switch to another company? I know questions sometimes arise, but I called only once last year and not at all the year or two before that. Anyway, please post what you find out. Thanks. Judy Judy Lane Asher Librarian Hillside Elementary School Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706 Sorry, I don't have any insights for you. We are in the same position and I have the same questions. Will you please post a HIT of any responses you might receive? TIA C. Hartsock Underwood Community Schools Underwood, IA 51576 Dear Nicole, I am facing the same situation. Would you please share the responses you receive? Thanks so much! Robin Curbello Three Rivers High School Library Three Rivers, Texas Nicole, please share the responses you receive. I chose Spectrum when we automated because it was so user friendly for a K-8 school. I am not thrilled at the prospect of starting the selection process all over again. Thank you! Nancy A. Nancy Andersen K-8 Librarian Our Lady's Christian School 606 Lowell Avenue Erie, PA 16505 andersenN@olcs-erie.com 814-838-7676 If you don't post a hit, can you email me the information that you receive? We're in the same situation. Thanks. Doris Eith, West Deptford Middle School, NJ. "Doris Eith" doeith@hotmail.com Nicole Lindeboom, Media Specialist Kent City Community Schools, Kent City, MI lindebon@kent-city.k12.mi.us -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. 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