[yscon] online reading database/app

Tue Sep 5 08:32:18 PDT 2017

Idaho doesn’t have a statewide summer reading program, nor do we offer a statewide reading database. I’ve been following the conversations for several years, collecting some data and reviewing our libraries’ summer reading reports. A dozen or so library systems offer online tracking—Read Squared, Beanstack, and I think Evanced. Some have customized their own simple tracking with Google Forms or something similar. So far I haven’t seen evidence that a statewide contract would benefit our libraries or communities. We still have a handful of libraries that aren’t even automated.  Some of our libraries report summer reading participation of several thousand… some have 5. Just 5 kids, not 5 thousand. I also hear more and more that parents prefer sticking a reading log on the fridge and crossing out hours/days/books, etc.

So for the time being we’re not planning to put funds in this area. It’s just not a good ROI in Idaho, which is mostly rural. We’re focusing our efforts on summer reading outreach and building partnerships with the schools. Trying to increase access to books for children who can’t utilize public library services or don’t have many books in their homes during the summer.

~ Staci

What I’m reading right now:
The Tumbling Turner Sisters, by Juliette Fay
Listening to:
Everything Everything, by Nicola Yoon

From: yscon [mailto:yscon-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of April Mazza
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2017 9:34 AM
To: YSCon <yscon at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>
Subject: Re: [yscon] online reading database/app

Hi all,
Rebecca, I have been thinking the same thing! I would like to see the funding go to more research, especially on the impact public libraries have. It seems a lot of the research comes from the schools, which makes sense since the data is a lot easier to capture.

For a very long time, long before my time here, Massachusetts had a blanket, statewide license for Evanced’s Summer Reader for any public library to use. I don’t think the usage was very high, 120- 130 (out of 370) libraries used it. Two years ago we did an RFP when the current contract was up and we went with Wandoo (Still Evanced, now owned by Demco) and this was our second summer with it. Our contract is up April 2019.
It was not a true statewide contract (because we could not afford that with the new pricing model) but we have 150 licenses available on a first-come, first-served basis. But we’ve never come close to that number. I think the true number of users (libraries) is around 100 but it’s hard to say for sure because I don’t get great stats from Evanced.

Some libraries were happy with it, some were not. Generally, if they liked the old program they didn’t like the new and vice versa. Or if they had never used anything else before they liked it. It is easy to set up.

Overall though I think we’re going to move away from offering one program for the state. The interest hasn’t grown even though the product changed. And people just want different things…there is no one product that will satisfy everyone. Some want super simple some want something more customizable. Most of the registrations in the state though come from paper sign ups or some other non-tech way of counting.

If you’ve read this far I have a couple of questions…which states do offer an online reading program (and is a blanket license for your whole state?) and if you do how do you handle support and training? Is it all through the vendor? Do you offer training and support? A mix?

Thanks, April

--
April Mazza
Consultant
april at masslibsystem.org<mailto:april at masslibsystem.org>
Massachusetts Library System
http://www.masslibsystem.org/
866-627-7228 (in Massachusetts only)
508-357-2121 x307

From: yscon <yscon-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:yscon-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>> on behalf of "Antill, Rebecca" <RAntill at statelibrary.sc.gov<mailto:RAntill at statelibrary.sc.gov>>
Date: Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at 10:18 AM
To: "'Williams, Linda'" <Linda.Williams at ct.gov<mailto:Linda.Williams at ct.gov>>, YSCon <yscon at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:yscon at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>>
Subject: Re: [yscon] online reading database/app

Good Morning!

Here in South Carolina, our contract with READsquared will be ending next year as well, so I will be looking at different options. The question that I’m struggling to answer is, why are we paying for a statewide online reading software? I don’t really feel as if I’m getting much return on the investment, and could spend the money on some other program/event/initiative with much more impact. Of course, I’m still pretty new to my position, so maybe I’m missing something?

In many ways, this mirrors the conversation on the alsc-listserv that a couple of us commented on: “why are we doing summer reading? And what impact are we really having?” A large majority of the third graders in my state failed the reading test. Should I direct money and energy towards building a better partnership with the schools, so they will recognize the value of collaborating with the public libraries and work with us to improve literacy year round? Is anyone else hashing out these questions?

Thank you for listening!
Rebecca

From: yscon [mailto:yscon-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Williams, Linda
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2017 8:20 AM
To: 'Lancaster, Catherine (MDE)' <LancasterC5 at michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5 at michigan.gov>>; YSCON (yscon at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:yscon at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>) <yscon at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:yscon at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>>
Subject: Re: [yscon] online reading database/app

We have a contract with Evanced/Wandoo that runs through the end of next summer. So I am also looking. I just saw a demo (we looked at it for our last 3-year contract, but stayed with Evanced at that time) of READsquared, which I, personally, would like to use. But I need to look at others, will be looking at Beanstack next, and hadn’t even heard of Zoobean!
I would also like to know if your state has a contract with READsquared or Beanstack, and what issues you have had. Also, if it would be possible to get a copy of your contract? (Last time we just went on the same contract as… New York? New Jersey? – not sure which) and were able to skip the RFP process by doing that.
For us, it seems as if in the move from Summer Reader to Wandoo, we have lost functionality that people are really missing (e.g. the ability to get patron book reviews).

Will be watching your input – and thanks in advance!

Linda

[T_State_Library_Logo-02.png]

Linda Williams | Children's Services Consultant, Division of Library Development | Linda.Williams at ct.gov<mailto:Linda.Williams at ct.gov> | Office: (860) 704-2207
libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/children<http://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/children> | 786 S. Main St., Middletown, CT 06457 | Phone: (860) 704-2200 | Fax : (860) 704-2228

From: yscon [mailto:yscon-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Lancaster, Catherine (MDE)
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2017 3:16 PM
To: YSCON (yscon at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:yscon at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>)
Subject: [yscon] online reading database/app

Hi All,

In May I posted a question regarding a specific online reading app (Counting Opinions) and many of you shared experiences with that or other databases (Wandoo Reader, Zoobean, etc).  Well, we have an RFP out for bid (buy4michigan.com) and will be reviewing bids from a variety of companies late next week.  If any of you have any more experiences you’d like to share and/or things I need to be sure to look for when demoing sites/reading bids.  (Such as patron privacy, data back-up, usability, etc)

Thank you in advance for your advice,

Cathy Lancaster

Youth Services Coordinator
Statewide Library Services
Library of Michigan
517-335-8129
517-373-5700 f
LancasterC5 at michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5 at michigan.gov>
www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan>

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