MARCH 18, 2020
As K12 Schools, Campuses, and Public Libraries Close, Follett Teams with Publishers to Deliver Resources to Learners of All Ages.
Follett, a trusted partner to PreK-12 schools, public libraries, and college campuses for more than 145 years, is working with customers to ensure they can quickly and easily use the company’s wide range of eLearning solutions and access to content as more students shift to learning from home due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“As we all navigate through these unprecedented times, we want educators and parents to know they’re not alone, said Patrick Connolly, President and CEO of Follett Corporation. “Follett offers a variety of eLearning products for both PreK-12 and Higher Ed that can be quickly and easily accessed. These are solutions customers already have access to, and our goal is to ensure they know about all their options to help with the continuity of education.”
Here is a closer look at Follett’s company-wide eLearning resources that are being made available at libraries, schools, and universities in communities across North America affected by the COVID-19 virus:
Follett School Solutions (PreK-12)
Follett has created a resource page outlining the array of eLearning solutions, including Follett Collections by Destiny®, Follett Destiny Discover®, WebPath Express™, and more. Video tutorials, forums, and instructions for accessing these solutions are also available.
To help schools with eLearning during the closures, Follett announced March 11 it is waiving the cost for current Destiny customers through June 30 for its Classroom Ready Collections (CRC), which are standards-aligned, educator-curated Open Educational Resources (OERs) that include lesson plans, activities, videos, and worksheets. More than 2,300 free CRC licenses have been activated in less than a week.
Follett Higher Education Group (FHEG)
For public and private colleges and universities, Follett has the nationwide scale and capabilities to help institutions provide needed course materials through the company’s technology platforms and content partnerships. During this period of crisis, Follett is providing the following support:
Baker & Taylor
Baker & Taylor enables public libraries to share digital collections with schools through its digital online platform called Community Share. Public libraries opt in to the Community Share program, allowing for a seamless integration between the local library’s Axis 360 ebook collection and Follett Destiny. This provides students with immediate access to an expanded selection of age- and grade-appropriate content.
Baker & Taylor also is working with its public library partners to place the company’s innovative Pop-Up Library boxes at grocery stores, pharmacies, and hospitals to continue providing the best literature to people while social distancing is being encouraged. Pop-Up Library is a small network device that creates instant access to a library’s Axis 360 collection.
All Follett customers are encouraged to contact their Follett representative with questions, support requests, and more details.
Recent News Releases
Follett Aspen Student Information System Partners with MyFlexLearning
September 16, 2021
MCHENRY, Ill., Sept. 16, 2021 — Follett School Solutions and Nash Consulting, LLC, today announced a partnership to integrate the Follett Aspen Student Information System with Nash Consulting’s MyFlexLearning, a flexible scheduling platform. Together, the two systems give schools the benefit of the robust Aspen master scheduler and the ability to provide flexible and personalized daily offerings for students via MyFlexLearning.Officials from both companies explained that many schools are finding they need to schedule individual student periods on a just-in-time basis – more granularly, frequently and flexible than typical class schedules. Aspen provides powerful master scheduling capabilities for schools to...
Read more
September 15, 2021
MCHENRY, Ill., Sept. 15, 2021 — Children’s author Peter H. Reynolds, who is in the spotlight today with the global celebration of International Dot Day, will soon be participating in a live video conference with one lucky classroom, thanks to the Write to Connect program from Follett School Solutions.Reynolds, author of “The Dot” that serves as the inspiration for International Dot Day, will connect with students whose classroom is randomly selected as the winner of a giveaway open now and running through Sept. 30. Write to Connect, which debuted last year, asks students to send questions to an author about his or her book....
Read more
Francisco Partners Acquires Follett School Solutions
September 1, 2021
WESTCHESTER, Ill., Sept. 1, 2021 —Follett Corporation today announced the sale of Follett School Solutions (FSS), the company’s K-12 software and content division, to Francisco Partners, a leading technology-focused global investment firm.Follett School Solutions, based in McHenry, Ill., is a longtime trusted educational partner to K-12 schools and districts that provides software and content products, including Follett Destiny, FSS’ market-leading library management system with installations in more than 75,000 K-12 schools worldwide. FSS will join Francisco Partners’ growing portfolio of K-12 education-focused businesses and technologies, including Renaissance Learning, Discovery Education, Freckle, myON and Mystery Science.“FSS has played a pivotal leadership role...
Read more
Follett Promotes Linda Semmler to VP of Publisher Relations, Content, and Book Fair Merchandising
August 5, 2021
MCHENRY, IL - Linda Semmler has been promoted to vice president of publisher relations and content & book fair merchandising for Follett School Solutions, the company announced today. With 25 years of experience, Semmler most recently served as vice president of product & merchandising for Book Fairs and eFairs for Follett.Britten Follett, executive vice president of Follett School Solutions, said Semmler’s role with the company is expanding due to the success she has had driving Follett Book Fairs, which have been growing since debuting nearly four years ago. “Our fairs are so popular with our customers due to the great products Linda...
Read more
Start Reading Now Again Partners with Follett to Help Counter ‘Summer Slide,’ Pandemic Learning Loss
May 27, 2021
Almost 3,000 students from predominantly low-income families will be receiving free print books to read over the summer as the result of a continuing charitable effort led by Start Reading Now.
Read more
Follett Releases MyDestiny — New Digital Classroom Library
April 27, 2021
Literacy solution helps create bridge between library and classroom by delivering eBooks, educator-vetted content to students
Read more
