Q: How does Wandoo Reader relate to Summer Reader? Do I have to buy a new subscription? Will Summer Reader go away? What are the differences between Summer Reader and Wandoo Reader?
A: Wandoo Reader is the latest reading program platform from Demco Software. Rather than continue to update the original Summer Reader, we are creating a new program to accomplish the same goals.
Wandoo Reader can rightly be thought of as Summer Reader 2.0. It’s a completely new take on summer reading, employing all the lessons we’ve learned from a decade of helping libraries track and incentivize reading.
Current subscribers of Summer Reader can switch to Wandoo Reader for no additional charge. Keep in mind, there is no data migration from Summer Reader to Wandoo Reader, in part because of the episodic nature of Summer Reader. Program data didn’t persist from year to year in the classic product, so a move to Wandoo Reader will be a fresh start.
Demco Software is committed to maintain and support Summer Reader at least through end of 2017, but we are convinced most libraries will want to change over to Wandoo Reader (aka Summer Reader 2.0!) sooner. Please note, aside from necessary security updates, we are no longer adding new features to our classic Summer Reader product. Instead, new enhancements will be added continually to Wandoo Reader.
Libraries that access Summer Reader through a state agreement should contact their state representative for details about what their particular state is doing in regards to Wandoo Reader.
To inquire about a switch to Wandoo Reader, existing customers should contact Demco Software Support . They will walk you through the process and choose when will be the right time to switch over to the new system.
After the Spring update to Wandoo Reader, there won’t be any need to run both programs at the same time, though libraries interested in maintaining both products can talk to Demco Software Sales .
We encourage current Summer Reader customers to attend one of our upcoming Wandoo Reader Webinars to learn how the summer reading platforms differ and what a transition from our old to new software entails.
Here is a fairly comprehensive chart on some of the main differences between Wandoo Reader and Summer Reader:
Feature | Summer Reader | Wandoo Reader |
All Ages Programs | Yes | Yes |
Logging Types | Anything | Books, Pages, Minutes |
Simple Setup | No | Yes |
Mobile Interface | Mobile Redirect | Responsive Website |
Display Event Feed | Yes | Yes |
Prizes | Yes | Yes |
Random Drawings | Yes | Yes |
Certificates | One Per Program | Unlimited Per Program |
Badge-Ability | Difficult | Easy |
Game Interface | No | Yes |
Social Media Sharing | Yes | |
Mission System | No | Yes |
Reviews | Yes | Yes via Challenges |
Activity Tracking | Yes, With Caveats | Yes |
ILS Authentication | Yes | No |
CSS Customization | Yes - Unsupported | No |
Language Customization | Yes | No |
Multi-Lingual | Yes | Yes |
Robust Reporting | Yes | Yes |
In-Library Registration/Logging | Yes | Yes |
Staff Role Permissions | Yes | General Roles |
Display Program Theme Banner | Yes | Yes |
Staff Dashboard | Yes | Yes |
Public Review Display | Yes | No, Uses Social Media Sharing |
Review Comments | Yes | No |
Family Registration | Yes | Yes |
Group Registration | Yes | Yes |
Display Useful Links | Yes | Yes |
Lasting Patron Record | No | Yes |
Post Program Logging | No | Yes |
In-Program Email Service | Yes | No |
Customizable Notifications | Yes | Fixed Notifications |
Parental Opt-Out | No | Yes |
Full Parental Control | No | Yes |
Run Multiple Programs | Yes | Yes |
Custom Registration Form | Yes | Limited |