The best of what’s around for our students and staff Kraig Rieger Kaitrin Salanky Lydia Perry Marcia Herman Amber Lynch Amber Pedersen

Summary The Uniqueness of the Alexandria Library Automation System CatalogingCirculationReportingInventory Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) Cost Technical Support TestimonialsConclusion Works Cited

Cataloging Adding material to the catalog is quick and easy Adding material to the catalog is quick and easy Alexandria uses title assistant which performs a MARC Search Alexandria uses title assistant which performs a MARC Search MARC Search locates copies of the new add currently used in other libraries MARC Search locates copies of the new add currently used in other libraries Vendors give the librarian the MARC record, and the librarian adds the record to the system Vendors give the librarian the MARC record, and the librarian adds the record to the system

Circulation Easy navigation through system Easy navigation through system All actions, from charging late fees to accessing student accounts, can be done from basically the same screen All actions, from charging late fees to accessing student accounts, can be done from basically the same screen Librarians have access to a student photograph and can see what homeroom each student comes from Librarians have access to a student photograph and can see what homeroom each student comes from Checkouts can be customized based on grade level Checkouts can be customized based on grade level

Reporting Barcode Labels Overdue Reports These can be edited and changed based on the tastes and preferences of the library media specialist (Alexandria 2010) Some of the best features of the reports are the fact that a Library media specialist can: schedule reports to run automatically send reports of overdue items to homeroom teachers (Alexandria 2010)

Inventory Inventory Helper the tool that makes inventory simple! A process that goes through five easy steps to make inventory less difficult A process that goes through five easy steps to make inventory less difficult Library media specialists select a section of call numbers and the system sends out reports that are pertinent for that section (Alexandria 2010) Library media specialists select a section of call numbers and the system sends out reports that are pertinent for that section (Alexandria 2010)

Cost The company charges by how many users can access the program at one time. 10 users = $1500 for program, $600 annual fee for updates and tech support 10 users = $1500 for program, $600 annual fee for updates and tech support 15 users = $2000 for program, $700 annual fee for updates and tech support 15 users = $2000 for program, $700 annual fee for updates and tech support Unlimited Users = $2500 for program, $800 annual fee for updates and tech support Unlimited Users = $2500 for program, $800 annual fee for updates and tech support The company charges $600 to convert our files from our current program to Alexandria. (personal communication, March 22, 2010)

Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) Possibly the greatest aspect of Alexandria is its ease of use for students and staff concerning OPAC. The program allows for: The program allows for: quick keyword search quick keyword search sounds-like searches for students locating resources sounds-like searches for students locating resources searches for readers of varied skill levels searches for readers of varied skill levels Searching capabilities include: Searching capabilities include: basic search basic search advanced search which lets a user utilize Boolean language advanced search which lets a user utilize Boolean language browsing explorer which is ideal for younger students (Alexandria 2010) browsing explorer which is ideal for younger students (Alexandria 2010) Additional features include: Additional features include: netTrekker option allows students to search for online sources that are relevant for a task netTrekker option allows students to search for online sources that are relevant for a task Sneak Peek allows students to read overviews and reviews of a book and view the cover art to see if a resource or a novel is one he or she needs (Alexandria 2010) Sneak Peek allows students to read overviews and reviews of a book and view the cover art to see if a resource or a novel is one he or she needs (Alexandria 2010) Teachers can also use the netTrekker feature to: Teachers can also use the netTrekker feature to: find resources relevant to their state standards find resources relevant to their state standards create lists of resources relevant to a project or assignment in class (Alexandria 2010) create lists of resources relevant to a project or assignment in class (Alexandria 2010) These key features allow for increased collaboration between the library media specialist and teachers.

Technical Support Impeccable Service Impeccable Service Customer service representatives standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone or (Alexandria 2010) Customer service representatives standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone or (Alexandria 2010) Open to suggestions and requests Open to suggestions and requests They have added several new options for collection reports to meet the specific needs of library media specialists (Burkhalter 2001) They have added several new options for collection reports to meet the specific needs of library media specialists (Burkhalter 2001)

Testimonials The following comments were posted on LM_Net: “We are previous Spectrum users and have also used InfoCentre and Athena. We made our most recent choice between Alexandria and Destiny and chose Alexandria. Some of the reasons were that the reports were better, we weren't limited to just the web version, and it was easier to understand.” “I have used Alexandria for over 10 years and have nothing but wonderful things to say about them.” “... we looked around at the other programs and settled on Alexandria. We have been very pleased with the program. We began with 2 schools to see how it worked, then over the course of a couple of years moved the others to Alex. We now have 52 schools on Alexandria.” “... for the remaining five years that I was in that position we were all extremely happy with the training and support that we received.”

Conclusion Alexandria Automation System is far superior to the program we are currently working with. After weighing the pros and cons of Alexandria and other systems on the market, we know that this is the system we want to invest in for our future to improve the quality of education for the students and staff in our district.

Works Cited Alexandria. (2010). Retrieved April 5, 2010, from, Burkhalter, J. (2001). Shopping for the Perfect Automation System. Media and Methods, 37(5), 43. Porier, A. (2009, Dec. 11). Destiny v. Alexandria. Message posted to cgi/fastweb?getdoc+listservs+LM_NET wAA A+alexandria cgi/fastweb?getdoc+listservs+LM_NET wAA A+alexandria cgi/fastweb?getdoc+listservs+LM_NET wAA A+alexandria