How Accessit Library Empowers Student Engagement and Streamlines Library Management 

St. Anthony’s High School in New York has experienced a remarkable transformation in its library services since switching to Accessit Library in 2019. Overseen by Jill Adler, Director of Library Services, the school has leveraged Accessit’s robust features to enhance student engagement and streamline library management. 

Transition to Accessit Library 

Jill Adler initiated the switch to Accessit Library after encountering it at a local SLMA/NYLA Educational Conference. Impressed by its capabilities, she immediately recognized its potential for St. Anthony’s. “I made the connection right away,” Jill said. “I walked past the Accessit Library demo and was excited about it from the get-go.” 

Before the switch, the school’s previous system was not meeting their needs. It was designed for larger districts and wasn’t flexible enough for St. Anthony’s requirements. “We were pretty frustrated with our current system because it was really meant for a larger district. It wasn’t set up the way we needed it to be, and I was thinking about dumping all the data and starting from scratch.” 

Enhancing Student Engagement 

Accessit Library has revolutionized how students interact with the library. One of the most impactful features has been the ability for students to write and peer-review their own book reviews. “Having a student be able to write their own reviews, do peer reviews, and have it put up for them is amazing. We have our students helping us build our collection – and we just didn’t have that before,” Adler explained. 

Streamlining Library Operations 

The switch to Accessit Library simplified many of the library’s daily tasks, making the workflow much more efficient. “There used to be tasks that would take us forever to do,” Jill said. “I can distinctly remember doing the training with Accessit Library in the beginning, and two of my other staff members looked at each other like, ‘That’s it?’ It was so simple.” 

Some specific improvements include: 

• Cataloging: Previously a lengthy process, now streamlined to just scanning ISBNs and clicking import. 

• Connecting Resources: The ability to connect PDF resources and other materials directly into the system. 

• Reporting: Easier identification and correction of duplicate records and messy data. 

• Creating Barcodes: Simplified process for importing and processing books. 

The Accessit Library Web App also proved invaluable during the COVID-19 lockdowns, supporting both students and staff from home. “COVID was interesting,” Jill said. “We gained a lot of traction from the library, which was something that would have taken longer to do in school. Being able to support students from home and demonstrating what the library could do for them outside of our school was very helpful.” 

Customizable and User-Friendly 

The customizable and intuitive nature of Accessit Library has been a game-changer for St. Anthony’s. The ability to manage dashboards and provide seamless access to resources has kept information fresh and accessible. “Students can all go to one place. Before, they had to go to different places, but now they can interact with all of our library content through Accessit Library right from one app,” Adler noted. 

Jill also praised the excellent customer support provided by Accessit Library. Despite initial concerns about time zone differences, the support team was always responsive. “Their support team has been amazing and helpful,” Jill said. “We can reach out to them with anything, and every time, they’re so wonderful and welcoming.” 

Conclusion 

Two years after making the bold move to switch to Accessit Library, St. Anthony’s High School continues to benefit from its features and support. Jill Adler recommends Accessit Library to other schools looking for a flexible, user-friendly system. “If you are looking for a flexible system to create your own library space and engage your students timely, then Accessit Library is the perfect thing for you to investigate. The support is there for you. The flexibility and the ability to do what you can dream of is right in front of you with all the tools.” 

For more information on how Follett Software can support your district, visit Follett Software.