Follett Destiny: Strengthening Home, Library and Classroom Connections

Cambridge library teachers have developed strong collections in each of their school libraries, ensuring that a broad range of high interest, challenging, diverse materials are available to meet the needs of all learners. With such rich collections of library resources, including those developed for students and teachers by the librarians themselves, how can library users efficiently discover and utilize them all? Enter the new face in the world of independent research and reading for pleasure: Follett Destiny. This fall, thanks to the support of the District and ICTS Department, the Library Media Department excitedly debuted the new library management system. An integrated collection of learning resources, Destiny has changed the way teachers and students locate, access and interact with print and digital content, increased collaboration amongst libraries and become an essential resource for school librarians, teachers and students.

Destiny Basic Search Page
Destiny Basic Search Page

Designed with universal access in mind, (Follett) Destiny offers a diverse range of search options. Users have the ability to search library holdings with or without logging into Destiny. Links to the Destiny catalog are available on all school library webpages as well as the District’s “for students”, “for families” and “for staff” pages. Users can launch investigations with a basic, advanced or visual search. “Visual search” is graphically appealing and particularly beneficial for younger students, visual learners, English language learners, and patrons that aren’t quite sure where to start. Visual collections including mysteries, science, sports, experiments, adventure, for instance--are great places to start. Additionally, once users log into Destiny from the main search screen (using their CPS network credentials), users can access resource lists on a variety of topics created by librarians and teachers across the District. Examples of current resource lists include student-focused, bibliographic genre lists and teacher-focused, specific unit of instruction lists.

Destiny Search Results
Destiny Search Results

When logged in, users also have access to the One Search feature that integrates librarian-curated digital content including databases, e-books, audio books and websites. Users are able to conduct a simultaneous search digital resources and then have direct access to these database articles and other resources through the Destiny interface. The One Search database links tab is featured on the Destiny search page of each library, another efficient means of promoting school library databases and supporting independent learners.

Destiny One Search Results
Destiny One Search Results

An Individualized, Interactive Gateway: Destiny Discover
In a multiplicity of ways, Destiny supports and promotes our community of independent, enthusiastic learners and readers.The Destiny Discover interface allows users to log into personal accounts--using their CPS network credentials--to easily access, checkout, track and interactive with, library resources. Users can access Destiny Discover through any web browser or through a  free, mobile app. When logged into Destiny Discover, users have access to a personal “book bag” that enables them to save favorites, create wishlists, track current holds and checkouts, and view their checkout histories. Other readers advisory tools include a suggested title feature--ensuring no learner leaves empty-handed when a desired title is checked out and the ability to integrate student book reviews into the catalog. The Destiny Discover app provides an interactive environment with features designed to engage students and improve study and note-taking skills while reading e-books: a highlighting tool, dictionary and student notebook. An added bonus is the ability to access notes and highlights offline. Searches through Destiny Discover also integrate and offer direct access to librarian-curated digital content including databases, e-books, audiobooks and websites.

Destiny Discover Search Results
Destiny Discover Search Results

Destiny Visual Search and Audiobooks
Destiny Visual Search and Audiobooks

AudioBook Collection Development Initiative
There is compelling research regarding the positive impact audiobook accessibility and integration into instruction has on academic achievement. This research, along with the ease with which learners can now access and share books 24/7 through Destiny and the increasing availability of popular, accessible, affordable titles prompted the library media department to embark on a shared, K-12 audiobook collection development initiative this year. While individual school libraries have developed significant audiobook collections over the years, the goal of this initiative is to leverage the power of Destiny by making a investing in a robust, simultaneous-user audiobook collection that supports both individual readers and classroom instruction.  

More Time for Curriculum Development, Collaboration, and Instruction
Destiny has become an essential resource. The positive impact of Destiny extends the multifaceted role of the library teacher. Due to its mosaic of functions and options, Destiny has simplified library management functions, allowing library teachers to spend even more time doing what they do best: curating/producing content, collaborating with colleagues, and directly teaching and empowering students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful and ethical researchers and astute digital citizens. What more could one ask for?

Access: Go to Cambridge.Follettdestiny.com to search the catalog.

References: Follett Destiny webpage
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