Providing students with the right academic resources is crucial to their success.
Whether it’s finding printed books, e-books or other research materials, new software can help librarians organize materials and make them easy to find. The software also gives students access to these materials on phones, tablets and other mobile devices.
Destiny Library Manager
Follett
This browser-based software provides access to enriched, educator-reviewed digital content and tools that help students, librarians and educators find, share and use print and digital resources. Destiny Library Manager can be accessed from anywhere at any time. It also can be integrated with a school’s student information system. www.follettlearning.com
KnowledgePoint
Baker & Taylor
KnowledgePoint is an educational suite of solutions that provides schools with the core tools necessary for managing and developing their library collections and raising student literacy. Districts can manage, assess and acquire digital assets to customize each school’s collection. KnowledgePoint empowers school leaders seeking flexible e-book solutions in the classroom and beyond. http://knowledgepoint.baker-taylor.com
Library-Solution for Schools
The Library Corporation
Specially designed to accommodate the needs of teacher-librarians, Library-Solution for Schools includes a “reading level integration” service that pulls data directly from Lexile and Accelerated Reader vendors. A full suite of web-based modules deliver age-appropriate and customizable library catalogs for students from kindergartners to high school. Library-Solution for Schools’ touchscreen compatibility lets schools users share library resources on wireless tablets. www.tlcdelivers.com
ebrary
ProQuest
With more than 7,700 titles, ebrary provides e-books and research technology to school libraries worldwide. Title subject areas include education, history, language and literature, political science, psychology, religion, sciences and social sciences. The software also provides students with study guides for these topics. And ebrary enables libraries to upload and integrate their own digital materials from the convenience of local computers with it’s DASH! program. www.ebrary.com
Zing
Schoolwide
Zing provides access to thousands of fiction and nonfiction e-books and short digital texts (articles, essays, poems and primary sources) in English and Spanish. The selection includes texts from popular award-winning authors and titles from an array of publishers. Titles can be searched by reading level, genre, topic and skills teachers want to work on. www.schoolwide.com/zing
Explora
EBSCO Information Services
EBSCO’s new software interface, Explora, lets schools customize library content. Explora supports student research and instruction libraries by delivering relevant articles, essays and primary source documents. Text-to-speech articles assist struggling readers or those learning English. Two Explora interfaces exist, one for K5 and one for grades 6 through 12. www.ebscohost.com
Alexandria Library Software
Alexandria
This comprehensive library automation software allows users to efficiently manage a wide range of library tasks. Alexandria can enhance a school library collection’s content online by displaying book summaries, awards, reviews and cover art. The software also can automatically email overdue, hold-fulfillment and item-renewal notices. Alexandria comes with 24/7 IT support services. www.goalexandria.com
