How Destiny Library Manager Empowers Student Engagement and Outcomes 

Pine Hollow Middle School in Raleigh, North Carolina, is part of the Wake County Public School System. With a focus on creating an inviting and effective library environment, Kristen Ziller, the Library Media Specialist, has seen firsthand how the Follett Destiny® Educator Platform can transform student engagement and academic success. 

Cultivating a Nourishing Space 

Kristen Ziller is in her 21st year as a librarian and is excited about the evolution she’s seeing in school libraries. “I love it when students visit the library with no other purpose than just to be in this space,” Ziller says. “I’ve had multiple students say they need to be in here for at least some part of each school day. It’s important, as librarians, that we cultivate these nourishing spaces and make them the best they can be to provide free access to reading and informational services.” 

With Destiny Educator Platform, Pine Hollow Middle School impacts engagement, student outcomes, and more by empowering student voice and choice. Ziller emphasizes that having powerful tools like Destiny Library Manager is crucial for keeping the library vibrant and student-centered. “Destiny is at the heart of everything we do and empowers our students. We use Destiny to ensure student voices are heard and that they can accomplish what they need to.” 

Leveraging Destiny’s Features 

Ziller fully utilizes features like Collections by Destiny®, which simplifies collaboration and resource sharing among librarians, teachers, and students. Follett Destiny Discover®, the user-friendly interface, makes her job easier and more efficient. “I am focused on empowering students by giving them a voice,” Ziller says. “I’m also dedicated to sharing what I discover and learn on Destiny with our other librarians.” 

Ziller uses the Destiny Discover homepage as a one-stop landing page for students, providing links to the school website, public library catalog, research resources, and a library book purchase request form. The “Topics and Collections” feature allows students to browse titles if they’re unsure what to read next, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. 

“Destiny Discover helps me find books even though I know the library well,” says Natalie, one of Ziller’s students. “I can see if a book is checked out before looking for it, making it easier and faster to get the book I want.” 

Enhancing Library Services 

Ziller finds immense satisfaction in fostering a love for reading among her students. “I get so much joy from spending my days with the kids, helping to provide a place where they feel welcome, and fostering their love of books. When a child can see themselves in a book, it is transformational,” she says. 

The “My Stuff” section in Destiny makes it easy for students to check their library accounts, place books on hold, and add books to their “Favorites” list. The platform also allows Ziller to create reports, import records upon receiving book orders, and generate “Resource Lists” for units of study, saving time and ensuring efficient library management. 

Impact on Students 

The impact of Destiny on student outcomes is significant. Carmen Brennan, Library Media Coordinator at Alston Ridge Middle School, emphasizes the importance of Destiny Discover’s collections for academic success. “Collections have been essential to my students’ academic success. I have created collections to curate specific topics for research, making it easier for students to navigate and find the resources they need.” 

With the support of a committed administration and an engaged student population, Ziller knows she is making a difference as a library media specialist. “At the end of the day, it’s vital that libraries are safe spaces that offer resources on a variety of perspectives, where all individuals see themselves represented and gain empathy and understanding by learning about others. Destiny helps our library at Pine Hollow be the heart of the school and a safe space.” 

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