Clover Park Schools' New Library System Allows Electronic Options

A new library database system, now being used in schools throughout Clover Park School District, is designed to improve learning by allowing home access to reserve books and check out e-books, or electronic books.

The “Destiny” system also improves student research capabilities to assist with homework. Search results show students all the school’s books on the topic, the best educational websites with information on the topic, and eventually, will link to all the district subscriptions. Destiny supports Common Core State Standards in all subject areas through its informational search capabilities, by providing access to quality informational texts.

“The district’s old library system worked very much like an antiquated public library system and we needed something more appropriate for schools,” said Brian Laubach, executive director of teaching and learning. “The new Internet-based system allows students to see the covers of books and read details and reviews before they select the book.”

The system is significant for schools because it expands access to resources across the district. For instance, if one school has an abundance of textbooks that another school needs, the inventory feature will reflect that. This will prevent the unnecessary purchase of extra textbooks.

A Puget Sound Educational Service District audit identified the need for a new library system for the district. A district tech steering committee has been working on this since 2012.

“This system provides students with much more access to literature,” said Justin McKaughan, Greenwood Elementary library media specialist. “The hope is that they’ll develop a passion for reading.”