Frequently Asked Questions - Destiny Library and Textbook Manager

Q. Book Fair and other editions aren't usually in the cataloging data base.  How can I use existing records to catalog these materials? 

A.  Follow the direction on the attached PDF to add those editions' ISBNs to existing records.

Q.  Are there resources available for library instruction?

A.  Pete's Power Point Station has library and author lessons and presentations, clip art, and links to literature-based websites.  It is VERY comprehensive.

Q.  Is there any self-paced training for Destiny online?

A.  Yes!  Follett Software Company offers individual learning modules for Destiny.  Create an account, login, and go to the Training tab to view the different training options.  

Q.  I logged in and can see the different training options.  What should I choose now?

A.   Go down to the section labeled "Training by Product" and choose Destiny.  Click on On-Demand eLearning for Destiny.  Near the bottom of the page there are three drop-down boxes.  Begin making choices at the left until a list of different course options appear.  Each course has a description and an etimated time to complete.

Q.  There seems to be a problem with the courses.  They will not play correctly.

A.  You may need to update your version of Flash on your computer.  Click on the "Get Adobe Flash" icon to install.  If you cannot install it on your system, contact your school's tech support staff for assistance.

Destiny Library Software is an exciting information resource for you and your student to use. 

Here is a list of just some of the things you have access to:

* Your student’s school library catalog as well as other schools in the district.
* Websites approved specifically for your student’s grade and interest levels.
* Websites and school materials tied to specific state standards your student is studying.
* Options to make Resource Lists for suggested reading, booklists, and citations.

Where can I find it and what does it do?

Go to http://library.nwtoolbox.org.  Choose your student’s school district then choose your student’s school.  Bookmark your student’s school by clicking on the gray book icon next to the school’s name.  What you will find there:

* Some schools have home pages with additional information about the school library and additional information resources.
* Use the Basic Catalog to find library materials.

1.  At the Basic Search, type in a subject, book title, author name, or series title.  Click on the corresponding icon and look through your search results. 
2. Sort your search results by Author, Title, or other choices.
3. Click on a title to find out more about it.  Go to the Copies tab to see if the book is available.
4. Didn’t find what you want?  Refine your Search by changing your search terms or try a different icon.  The keyword search usually finds the most books.
5. Change the Look in box to include other schools to see what other schools in the district own.
6. Search for Award Winning books and Reading Program materials by making choices in those boxes.
7. The One Search button will help you find Internet sources (Online Resources tab) and library materials (Titles tab.)  Click on the moving pencil to see more resources on the Online Resources Search Results page.  You may find World Book and other online databases your school subscribes to within your search results.
8. Click on the Top 10 in the upper left-hand corner to see the most popular items in your student’s school library.

* The Library Search Power tab let’s you make even more choices.  Combine search terms and other choices to narrow down your searches.
* The Library Search Visual tab is a fun way to find things using picture prompts.  It works great for emerging readers. 

Are you ready to Begin your Destiny Quest?  If so, go to Destiny Quest -> Begin your Destiny Quest

Things to do:

o   Click through The Top 10 Books
o   Page through New Arrivals!
o   Add books to My List by using mousing over book covers then Drag + Drop them in the rectangle.  Print My List by clicking on Titles and choosing Print Options.
o   Type in some search terms at Find then click Go!  Page through your search results; narrow your search by choosing the categories on the left.
o   Exit Destiny Quest in the upper right-hand corner will take you back to the regular catalog.

What other searches are there? 

* WebPath Express can be searched by keyword, browsed by school subject area, and Visual Search.  Go to WebPath Express and choose from the tabs on the right.  Here are a few WebPath Express tips:
o Each website has a summary and a grade level recommendation.
o Some schools allow you to change the results by grade level.
o Suggest your student use WebPath Express to decide on a topic to write about.
o Have your student use WebPath Express resources to finish that paper that is “due tomorrow.”
o When you find a website that you want to use, use words from the summary to find more like it.
o Click on the Titles tab to see books on the same subject in the school library.

* Search or Browse the Standards.  The Standards Search is primarily used to find library materials and WebPath Express online resources to support teaching and enhance learning. Check with your student’s teacher(s) to find out what standards are being taught in his/her class(es).   Then change the location to Oregon and Search (tab) by keyword, subject and grade level, or Browse (tab) through the Subjects.  

Can I make reading and resource lists?

* Use My List
o Add items from your search results by clicking on the Add to this List button on each title or webpage.
o   Go to Resource List and choose to view My List.  Print the list as it appears using the Printable button or choose Citation List or Bibliography from the bottom of the list.  Items can be removed, sorted, and a name can be assigned, too. 

Where can I get more information about Destiny?

* Click on the How do I… question marks and other question marks on the webpages.
* Speak with your student’s school library media staff person if you have additional questions.

Q: How do I print a set of barcodes by classes to use in the library?

A: Click on the PDF icon for the settings to format the report for barcodes to use at your circulation desk.

Q: Where can I purchase preprinted barcodes?

A: Barcodes can be ordered from any barcode vendor that you prefer.  If you are using Follett barcodes and wish to continue ordering them go to Follett Software Company.

Q: What barcode symbology is recommended for Destiny?

A: Stan Winters, Follett Sales Rep., says,  "I always recommend going to a Generic Code 39, 14 digit barcode. It should look like this:

          3 AHS 10 XXXXXXXX  

•      where the 3 is a material designator for books and 4 is for textbooks
•      AHS is the district ID (in this case "Astoria High School")
•      10 is a building ID (each building has a unique ID)
•      and the Xs is the actual barcode number."

Q:  What are some ways Destiny can be customized for my school?

A:  Click on the powerpoint ion for a presentation given at OASL on October 12, 2007 by Andrea Keifer.  It has examples of some of the things schools have done to customize their Destiny sites.

Q:  Can you recommend textbook policies that cover fines, responsibilities, etc.? 

A:  Here is a selection of textbook policies you can adapt to fit your needs:

Q:  Has anyone done a textbook management plan for their district?

A:  One of our smaller school districts put together the plan linked to the right. 

Q:  Is there a checklist of things do at the end of the school year in Destiny?

A: Yes, the checklist linked to the PDF icon contains recommended activities to assist your inventory and end-of-year planning.  Please send any additions and corrections to Andrea Keifer. 

Q: I do not have a wireless scanner to take to the shelves for inventory.  What do you suggest?

A: Have a COW!!  That's a Computer On Wheels.  If you have a wireless connection or a really long network cable, consider getting yourself a laptop on a cart and go scan your books. 

Q:  I want to use a COW but my scanner has a PS2 connector and there is no place to plug it in.

A:  Follett customer service can sell you a new cable for your Follett 3800g scanner if it is version 4 or higher.  Contact them at 1-800-323-3397 from 5 am to 4 pm PST for pricing and shipping costs and availablility.

Q:  I completed my inventory and want to View the report again.  Where did the View button go?

A:  The report has been deleted from your Job Manager.  You can view it as many times as you like as long as it has NOT been deleted.

Q:  I finalized my inventory but I cannot see the View Lost button.  Where did it go?

A:   The View Lost button will be inaccessible until ALL of your inventories are finalized.

Q:  What are the system requirements for Destiny workstations?

A:  Click on the PDF icon for information from Follett Software Company explaining the minimum computer requirements for a Destiny workstation.

What Destiny enhancements have been submitted to Follett from NW Toolbox users?

Click here to view the list.

What Destiny enhancements hve been submitted to Follett from NW Toolbox users AND have been added to Destiny?

Click here to view the list.

Q:  How do I set up email overdue/fine reports and notices?

A:  The email functionality has to be configured for your district in Destiny.  You will need to make some changes locally to make it work completely.  Click on the PDF icon for further information.

Q:  What do I do if I am unable to send out email notices and reports?

A:  Contact your Destiny Administrator (below) if your Checked Out/Overdue Materials and Unpaid reports do not allow you to send emails.

 NW Toolbox Destiny Administrators

Q:  I cannot access Destiny or the Internet.  How do I check out?

A:  There are two ways you can check out if your Internet is down:

1. Follett Remote. (See information below.)
2. Write down the patron's information and the barcodes of the items.  Keep a running list to manually enter into Destiny when your connection is reestablished.

Q:  What is Follett Remote? 

A:  Follett Remote is a program you can use on your computer to track library or textbook materials.  You can use it to check in, check out, and inventory your items.  It has to be downloaded to your computer.  Click on the Follett Remote to download.

(If you have any difficulties downloading Follett Remote to your computer, contact your tech department.) 

Q:  How do I set up Follett Remote after I download it?

A: Click on the PDF icon to learn more about setiing up and using Follett Remote.

Q:  I used Follett Remote, now what do I do?

A:  When Destiny becomes available again go to Circulation -> Offline Circulation.  Choose the date the of the transactions then Browse to your computer's hard drive, C:,  to find your Follett Remote files.  Check the appropriate boxes and click on Upload.

Q:  Can I change the circulation sounds in Destiny?

A:  Yes, you can change the default sounds in Destiny.  

1. Right-click on each wave file in the table below and choose to Save each file on your desktop.
2. Back Office > Site Configuration > Circulation tab.
3. Click on Change next to one of the sounds.  Then browse to where you copied the wav file.  Click on Upload and Save. 
4. Follow steps 1-3 for all the sounds you wish to change.  

Wave Files

 Attention

 Fines

Holds 

Options for Advanced Windows Users

• Search the internet to find your own, non-copyrighted sounds and download them to your PC.  Look for smaller files of about one second in length.  Destiny cannot use longer sounds.
• Search your PC for Windows wave files.  Again, look for one-second long sounds to add to Destiny.

Q:  How do I make a desktop shortcut for my school in Destiny?

A: There is a grey book icon to the right of every school's name on your districts's Destiny webpage.  Here is what you do  

1. Click on the icon and the Add a Favorite window will open. 
2. Click on Add.  This will put a bookmark in your favorites. 
3. In the upper right-hand corner of your Internet browser, click on the middle button to shrink it.
4. Then click on Favorites on the browser toolbar. 
5. Find Destiny with your school name in the list of Favorites.
6. Click on it, hold down your mouse button, and drag it to your desktop.  You should now have a desktop shortcut to your school in Destiny.*

*If you dragged it to your desktop but it would not stay, your computer may be configured to disallow changes.  Call your school tech department for assistance. 

Q:  What information does my website developer need to put a Destiny link on our school's webpage?

A:  Follow the steps 1-6 above. 

After the shortcut is added to your desktop, right click on it. 

Choose Properties from the list.

Click on the different tabs in this window until you see the URL. 

When you see it, copy the entire string of information by highlighting it and using ctrl-c to copy and ctrl-v to paste it into an email to that person.