The EdTech Awards, presented by EdTech Digest, is the world’s largest awards program dedicated to recognizing technology in education. For the 2023 awards, Follett Software entered several products for consideration across five categories and proudly achieved finalist status in all.

Follett’s Innovative Products Recognized

These are the innovative Follett products that were recognized in each category:

• Administrative Solution: Follett Aspen® Student Information System and Follett Destiny® Resource Manager
• Content Provider Solution: Collections by Destiny®
• Product or Service (General): Follett Aspen® Student Information System and Follett Destiny® Library Manager
• Research & Reference Tools: Follett Destiny® Library Manager
• Student Information System: Follett Aspen® Student Information System

To celebrate this honor, we asked Follett experts who know the products best to share their insights about our award-finalist software.

Destiny Library Manager: Insights from Rusty White, Technical Consultant

The flagship product, Destiny Library Manager, boasts over 20 years of success. Why do schools continue to choose Library Manager year after year?

Rusty White: Schools and districts continue to choose Follett Destiny Library Manager because of its proven success, comprehensive features, extensive educational content, user-friendly interface, and reliable customer support. Library Manager offers a wide range of functionalities and an intuitive design that empowers schools to manage their library resources efficiently, streamlining operations and saving valuable time and effort for librarians and staff.

What features secure our place as a leader in library management software?

Rusty White: Destiny Library Manager provides comprehensive management tools that enable librarians to track and maintain an accurate inventory of books, eBooks, and digital assets. Key features include:

• An intuitive circulation process for managing holds and overdue items
• Robust reporting capabilities that provide insights into library usage and collection development
• Powerful search capabilities for students to find books and digital content
• Integration with educational platforms, including LMS, SIS, and eBook providers

What can users look forward to with future enhancements?

Rusty White: Follett is committed to continuous improvement based on customer feedback. Future releases will feature a new user interface, enhanced reporting capabilities, integrated collection analysis, and expanded integration with eBook and digital content providers.

How does Collections by Destiny complement Destiny Library Manager?

Rusty White: Collections by Destiny allows educators to create customized resource collections, seamlessly integrated with Library Manager resources. This enhances collaboration and access to diverse resources, tailored to specific subjects or grade levels.

Destiny Resource Manager: Insights from Don Rokusek, Director of Product Management

The pandemic highlighted the importance of tracking resources, prompting many administrators to adopt resource management systems. What unique features does Follett Destiny Resource Manager offer?

Don Rokusek: Destiny Resource Manager extends beyond the library to track all key non-library assets, including technology devices, curriculum assets, musical instruments, and sports equipment. It supports the complete lifecycle management of resources, from purchase to distribution and collection, providing comprehensive reporting and ensuring accountability.

How else can Destiny Resource Manager be used throughout the district?

Don Rokusek: It helps manage resources across departments, supports periodic inventory and audits, and minimizes replacement costs. By leveraging the same platform and data as Destiny Library Manager, it provides a unified system for managing all district assets.

What can users expect from future enhancements?

Don Rokusek: Follett continues to invest in Destiny improvements, leveraging the Microsoft Azure cloud environment for significant updates. Enhancements include new fee management capabilities and streamlined workflows, integrating with other key district systems.

Aspen SIS: Insights from David Gray, Senior Product Manager, and Joe McDonough, Senior Technical Consultant

Follett Aspen Student Information System (SIS) was recognized as a finalist in the Administrative Solutions category. What features set Aspen apart from other resources?

David Gray: Aspen provides administrators with access to source code for state reporting and data exchanges, offering real-time insights and personalized data delivery tailored to employee roles. It ensures the safety and security of all data.

Joe McDonough: Aspen’s single, centralized database eliminates duplicate data entry and provides real-time enrollment records, simplifying registration and re-enrollment for parents and saving time for staff.

Is online registration available by cell phone?

David Gray: Yes, our new mobile platform makes online registration mobile-friendly, allowing parents to register students online anytime and anywhere.

Celebrating Follett’s Achievement

We’re proud to celebrate the success of each product and to be recognized as a 2023 EdTech Awards finalist. More importantly, we’re honored to support educators across the country and around the world.

For more information about any of the products mentioned above or other educational tools available from Follett, click here.