Roxanne Marie Constantino, CIA First International School – Chbar Ampov Campus

In Her Own Words

What is your role, and how long have you been in it?

“I’ve been here for more than a year already. I’m the Middle School and High School Librarian.”

What’s your favorite part of being a librarian today?

“My favorite part of being a librarian today is seeing students genuinely excited about reading and learning. 😊

Whether it’s a student discovering a book they can’t put down, joining our library activities like Kahoot or scavenger hunts, or simply finding a quiet space to focus, those moments make everything worth it.

I also love supporting both students and teachers; helping them find the right resources, guiding research, and making the library a welcoming and safe space for everyone.”

How has your library program changed over the years?

“Since I started as a librarian, my library program has grown from a primarily book-centered space into a more dynamic learning hub that supports both academic and personal growth of students.

At the beginning, the focus was mainly on circulation: borrowing and returning books, maintaining the collection, and providing a quiet space. Over time, I intentionally shifted the program to be more student-centered and interactive. I introduced activities such as Library Week events, Kahoot quizzes, scavenger hunts, and reading promotions to increase engagement. I also strengthened our collection by being more intentional with selection, ensuring diversity, appropriateness, and alignment with curriculum, while also integrating digital resources into Destiny to make access easier.

In terms of expectations, I’ve seen a clear evolution:

Students now expect the library to be more than just a silent reading space. They look for a welcoming environment where they can collaborate, participate in activities, and feel safe. They are also more tech-oriented, so they expect digital access, devices, and quick support.

Teachers increasingly see the library as a partner in instruction. There is a stronger expectation for collaboration to support research, provide curated resources, assist with PTs and assessments, and help develop students’ information literacy skills.

Staff and administration now expect the library to contribute to school-wide goals such as WASC accreditation, student wellbeing, and academic achievement. This includes providing data (circulation, usage), maintaining policies, and aligning the library program with the school’s mission and vision.

At the leadership level, expectations have become more strategic. There is a greater focus on standardization across campuses, resource management, digital integration, and long-term planning, such as building new libraries, expanding collections, and ensuring equity of access for all students.

Overall, my role has evolved from being a custodian of books to a facilitator of learning, a collaborator, and a program leader. The library today is not just a place, it is an active part of the school’s learning ecosystem.”

What is the library’s most important responsibility at your school?

“I believe the library’s most important responsibility at our school is to support student learning and growth by providing equitable access to information, resources, and a safe learning environment.

At CIA FIRST, the library is not just a place for books. It is a space where students develop essential skills such as critical thinking, research, and independent learning. One of our key responsibilities is to ensure that our collection is relevant, diverse, and aligned with the curriculum, so both students and teachers can rely on it for academic success.

Equally important is creating a safe, welcoming, and well-managed environment where students feel comfortable to read, study, and explore ideas.

The library also plays a crucial role in collaboration with teachers, helping design research tasks, providing resources for projects, and supporting information literacy. Guiding students on how to evaluate information and use it responsibly is more important than ever.

Lastly, the library contributes to school-wide goals, including accreditation (such as WASC), by providing evidence of resource use, supporting student achievement, and promoting a culture of reading and lifelong learning.”

What’s one thing about your library program that you’re especially proud of?

“One thing I am especially proud of in my library program is how it has become a welcoming, engaging, and student-centered space where students genuinely enjoy spending their time.

When I started, the library was more traditional and quiet-focused. Now, it has evolved into a place where students not only read, but also actively participate in activities like Library Week events, Kahoot quizzes, scavenger hunts, and collaborative learning. Seeing students excited to come to the library – even during their free time – shows that the space has become meaningful to them.

I am also proud of how the program supports both academic and personal growth. Students come in not just to borrow books, but to study, explore ideas, and feel safe. And teachers increasingly rely on the library for resources and support, which shows that the program is aligned with classroom needs.”

How Destiny Library Manager Helps

What is the biggest challenge that Destiny Library Manager helps you solve?

“The biggest challenge that Destiny Library Manager helps me solve is efficiently managing and organizing our library collection to ensure easy and equitable access for students and teachers.

In a combined Middle School and High School library like ours, we handle thousands of resources, and without a system like Destiny, tracking, cataloging, and locating materials would be very time-consuming and prone to errors. Destiny allows me to maintain accurate records, manage circulation, and organize resources systematically, which is essential for my daily operations.

And I rely on the data and reporting. Destiny provides circulation statistics, usage data, and inventory tracking, which are very important for my decision-making, collection development, and supporting school requirements like WASC accreditation.

It also addresses the challenge of accessibility. Students and teachers can independently search for books, check availability, and explore resources anytime, which promotes independence and saves time during busy periods.

Destiny helps streamline both the technical and user-facing aspects of the library, allowing me to focus more on supporting students and teachers rather than managing manual processes.”

What Destiny Library Manager features do you and your staff/students enjoy most?

“Some of the Destiny Library Manager features that we enjoy the most are those that make the library more accessible, efficient, and student-friendly.

One of the most valued features in Destiny Library Manager for us is the student-friendly catalog experience, which makes it easy for students and teachers to search for resources, check availability, and explore topics on their own. This kind of self-directed access helps support independent learning while also saving staff time during busy periods.

We also really like TitlePeek, because it allows students to preview book summaries and details directly in Destiny. This helps them make better choices when selecting books, especially for independent reading.

For staff, the circulation system is essential. It makes borrowing and returning materials fast and accurate, which is very important in a high-traffic MS/HS library like ours.

Another feature we rely on is reporting and analytics. Being able to generate circulation reports, usage data, and inventory information helps us make informed decisions about collection development and also supports our documentation for WASC accreditation.

We appreciate the ability to create and manage resource lists. This is especially helpful when supporting teachers with specific units or projects, as we can quickly pull together curated materials for their classes.

Overall, these features help us create a more efficient, data-informed, and student-centered library environment, allowing us to focus more on learning and engagement rather than manual tasks.”

Any “hidden gems” or unique ways that you use Destiny Library Manager?

“One ‘hidden gem’ feature in Destiny Library Manager that I wish more users knew about is TitlePeek. Many students don’t realize that they can view book summaries, reviews, and additional details directly in Destiny before borrowing a book. Once I show them this, it completely changes how they choose books. They become more intentional and excited about their selections.

Another feature I find very powerful is the use of Resource Lists and Saved Lists. On the backend, I use these to organize book orders, curate collections for specific units, and quickly pull recommendations for teachers. It saves a lot of time and ensures that resources are aligned with curriculum needs.

I also think the reporting and analytics tools are underrated. They allow me to track circulation trends, identify popular genres, and see gaps in the collection. This is especially helpful for making data-driven decisions and supporting requirements like WASC accreditation.

A simple but impactful strategy we use is promoting catalog access through QR codes placed around the school. This makes it very easy for students to search the catalog anytime using their devices, which increases engagement and independence.

Lastly, while not always fully utilized, WebPath Express can be a great support for guided research, especially for younger students. It helps filter reliable online resources, which is essential in teaching information literacy.”

Looking Ahead: AI and Learning from Peers

AI in libraries—are you more excited or apprehensive?

“I would say I am more excited than apprehensive about AI in libraries, but I also approach it with a strong sense of responsibility.

What excites me most is how AI can enhance access to information and support student learning. Tools like AI-powered search, recommendations, and research support can help students find relevant resources faster and more efficiently. For a busy MS/HS library, this means we can better support differentiated learning and meet students where they are. AI can also help streamline some of our tasks, such as generating reading lists, analyzing circulation data, and assisting with cataloging, allowing me to focus more on instruction and student engagement.

At the same time, I am mindful of the challenges. One concern is that students may rely too heavily on AI without developing critical thinking and information literacy skills. This makes our role even more important. We need to guide students on how to evaluate AI-generated information, verify sources, and use these tools responsibly and ethically.

I also think about issues like accuracy, bias, and academic integrity. As librarians, we have a responsibility to ensure that students understand that not all information – whether from AI or other sources – is automatically reliable.

Overall, I see AI as a powerful tool that can strengthen our role. It pushes us to evolve from being information providers to becoming facilitators of learning, critical thinking, and digital citizenship. If used thoughtfully, AI can significantly enhance the impact of the library program.”

What would you most like to learn from fellow Destiny Library Manager users?

“What I would most like to learn from my fellow Destiny Library Manager users is how they are maximizing the system beyond the basics, especially in areas like advanced reporting, collection analysis, and creative ways of promoting the catalog to students and teachers.

I’m particularly interested in how other librarians:

• Use data from Destiny to drive collection development and decision-making.
• Organize and standardize cataloging and labeling practices across campuses.
• Integrate Destiny with digital resources (like eBooks and databases).
• Promote student engagement using features like TitlePeek, resource lists, and QR access

Since we are working toward consistency and growth across multiple campuses, I also value learning about best practices for system-wide coordination, especially in terms of workflows, permissions, and communication between librarians and system administrators.

Something I’d like to share with others is the importance of using Destiny not just as a management tool, but as a teaching and engagement platform. Simple strategies, like showing students how to use the catalog or curating resource lists for teachers, can make a big difference in how the library is used.”

Just for Fun

You’re throwing a party and can invite five fictional characters. Who’s on the list?

“If I were throwing a party as Roxy, I’d definitely invite a mix of characters who bring intelligence, fun, and a bit of chaos – just like a great library day!

First, I’d invite Hermione Granger because she represents curiosity, intelligence, and a love for books. She would probably organize the party and make sure everyone learns something too!

Second, Percy Jackson. He would bring humor and energy. Every party needs someone fun and a little unpredictable (but still a hero at heart).

Third, I’d invite Katniss Everdeen. She’s strong, independent, and grounded. She would probably keep everything balanced and make sure no one gets too out of control.

Fourth, Anne Shirley because she brings creativity, imagination, and heart. Conversations with her would be meaningful and inspiring.

Lastly, I’d invite Sherlock Holmes. He would be fascinating to talk to. And he would probably observe everything happening at the party and figure out things about everyone before they even speak!

It would be a perfect mix of intellect, adventure, creativity, and fun – just like the kind of environment I try to create in the library every day.”

If your library had a theme song, what would it be?

“If my library had a theme song, I would choose A Million Dreams.

This song perfectly represents what I want the library to feel like: a place where students can imagine, explore, and dream beyond their current world. Just like the lyrics talk about building a world full of possibilities, the library is where students discover new ideas, perspectives, and opportunities through books and learning.

I also love that the song is both inspiring and hopeful, which reflects the environment I try to create every day, a space that is welcoming, motivating, and full of curiosity. Whether students are reading, researching, or joining activities, I want them to feel that sense of excitement and possibility.

For me, the library is not just about information. It’s about dreaming big, thinking creatively, and believing that anything is possible, and this song captures that perfectly.”

NOTE: AI-assisted for translation.

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