Let’s Talk Libraries: Let’s Talk Libraries: Southland Girls’ High School
Since installing Accessit Library in 2017, Southland Girls’ High School has had the ability to gain insights into students’ reading preferences, leading to better budget decisions.
| Type | Secondary School |
| Roll | 1,052 |
| Install | Local and Cloud installation |
Keywords:
- School budget
- Data Migration Process
- Borrower Activity Reports
- Customer Support
Paula McIntyre, School Librarian, has been with Southland Girls’ High School (SGHS) for 5 years. The Library Management System she inherited from her predecessor was out of date and in need of an upgrade.
When I started, I found that the school’s Library Management System was dated. Our Student Management System was part of the same package, so at the time it had made sense to run the library system alongside it, but it was clear to me that the library had outgrown its capabilities. After going to local school librarian meetings and hearing everyone’s fabulous stories about Accessit Library, I knew it would be far superior to what we had and I decided to take the plunge.
When installation day came, the Data Migrations team – David and Shelley – were very accommodating and patiently helped Paula onboard.
I remember on the first day of installation, my office phone battery died, and I was running around school trying to find a decent phone. At no point did the staff from Accessit Library seem stressed or annoyed with me, which completely blew my mind as I do not think I slept for the week before in case I lost our whole library system in the process. They were amazing and so relaxed about the whole process.
Since Accessit Library has been installed, Paula has noticed some positive changes in the behaviour of the students using the library.
I have had a lot less of, “Mrs McIntyre, where is the book?”, as students tend to search the catalogue and find it themselves. This has been more prevalent in the Year 7 & 8s, as I run ‘How to’ classes when they start at SGHS on how to use the library catalogue etc.
With the training that Paula provided her students, students at Southland Girls’ High school find it easy to find the books and resources that they need.
It has been so beneficial to have all the resources available in one place. Over the years, I have found that if students can’t find what they are looking for in three clicks, they say, “I can’t find anything,” and give up. So, to have the resources right at their fingertips is invaluable.
Paula also uses Accessit Library to communicate what books the students are reading to teaching staff, helping to direct budget spend. She is also finding that the students are more engaged with the digital aspect of the library, as information is presented on the Accessit Library Web App in a similar way to other common apps and platforms.
I can keep a track on the girls’ usage better and report back to staff, and I can search by Media and see what books are being used the most. I can look back at their borrowing history and add locations, helping me generify the fiction room easily, which helps the girls find fiction books easier.
Paula has really appreciated the Support team at Accessit Library. They’ve helped her onboard and are friendly and helpful when she needs it the most.
I will contact them with the most ridiculous, confusing way of explaining my problem and they are so patient! Nothing is ever a problem. I would not hesitate to ask for help – they are incredible. I have found Accessit Library wonderful, library changing and user friendly, but I think I have only scratched the surface of what it can do.
