5 Helpful Tips To Consider When Purchasing A New Scanner For Your Library! Check Out How They Work In Our Library Too!

Over the last year, we have replaced and added a few scanners to our elementary and secondary libraries.  As I looked at scanners, there were several things I took into account to ensure that the scanners met the needs of my library, students and school community. 

Let me share my top 5 helpful tips to consider when purchasing a new scanner for your library. 

1. Compatibility: Ensure that the scanner is compatible with your library's software and barcode symbology. Did you know that modern scanners are programmable and configureable? A vendor, such as Follett, that understands your library, will ship it preprogrammed and ready to use.

2. User-Friendliness: User-friendly scanners are essential, especially in educational settings. You need to consider the ease of setup, operation, and maintenance. You want your scanner to be easy to use on a day-to-day basis, and in bigger projects, such as inventory and weeding.

3. Flexibility and Portability: It is important to think about how and where you will use the scanner. Do you need it to be mobile? Do you want to use it during inventory? Do you want to set up a self-checkout station for your students? Portability should be a consideration since scanners often times need to be moved between locations or around the library.

After all, it is much easier to move the scanner to the books instead of the books to the scanner.

4, Warranty and Support: Evaluate the warranty and support options offered by the vendor. A good warranty can provide peace of mind in case of malfunction or defects. It is really great to have support from a partner that understands school libraries and our needs.

5. Budget: The budget allocated for the scanner will also impact the available options. We must determine their budget and identify scanners that offer the best value for the allocated funds.

As I looked for two new scanners for our libraries, I was excited to see that our friends at Follett are having a scanner sale!

I got 30% off the Destiny scanners I chose for our library. You can check out the sale on select Destiny scanner here.

You can also read how I set up the Destiny self-checkout station this fall with our new scanners from Follett here.

By carefully considering these helpful tips, we can make informed decisions when purchasing a scanner that best suits the needs of our library and community.