I don’t maintain both systems any more even though some of our older books have card pockets in them. I save money when ordering books because I don’t need to pay for that feature or add it myself.
Are you using Destiny? It’s pretty easy to see a book’s history? Though, I realize if you computers are slow it might not be as quick as I can do it. You don’t need to run a report unless you want the history of several books at once.
Book History Steps: Library Search>Search Results>Title of Book>Copy Status>Check Out History
The other nice about doing away with book cards is protecting patron privacy. It may not be as big of a deal at the elementary level but at the high school level I think the students appreciate it especially when they are exploring a personal topic that might be viewed by others as controversial.
Good luck with your decision.
Julie
Julie Yulo-Medeiros
School Librarian
Virtual High School Site Coordinator
Cromwell High School
34 Evergreen Road
Cromwell, CT 06416
From: casl-l-bounces@mylist.net [mailto:casl-l-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Elaine Shapiro
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2013 8:57 AM
To: CASL_L
Subject: [CASL-L] Circulation question
Does anyone out there do both manual and automated checkout? In other words, do students sign their name on a book card, as well as having the book signed out electronically? I work in an elementary school, and this was the custom before I took the job. But it takes a lot of time to file and then re-card the books. I'm wondering if there is a good reason to maintain both systems. I do like that I can pick up a book, glance at the card, and see how many students have taken it out. Given our slow computers, this can be faster than running "item history".
Elaine Shapiro
Broad Brook School
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