Cool Tool | Universal Search

CREDIT Follett LibraryDestiny Library Manager 12.0, released by Follett recently, includes Universal Search, the new interface that allows students to seamlessly search and access all print and digital content. Whether reading ebooks or conducting research, students can now access the content they need from one system that offers a consistent, simplified user experience with single sign-on access. “Universal search saves collection managers and users oodles of time by curating the entire collection and making it seamlessly accessible to learners,” says Michelle Luhtala, librarian at New Canaan High School in Connecticut. “It solves the ‘container problem’ we have seen with digital content. Now, students can access all their content through the Destiny portal regardless of its material type, format, distributor, and publisher, including websites, downloadable audio content and of course, eBooks. Universal Search empowers learners to focus  on inquiry rather than resource location, thus challenging them to build their capacity for higher order thinking.” Rather than having students and teachers use a separate tool for digital content from each vendor the schools purchases from, Destiny Library Manager is a universal solution that provides students and teachers access to multiple types of resources from multiple vendors, within the convenience of one system. In use at more than 55,000 K-12 schools nationwide, it offers powerful federated searching so a student can find a wide variety of high-quality relevant resources with minimal effort.  The new Universal Search interface is built to provide an optimal experience on virtually any size screen. Universal Search also takes advantage of Destiny Library Manager’s deep integration with Follett eBooks, allowing users to directly check out content, place titles on hold, and provide direct access from mobile devices. With the introduction of Universal Search’s cloud-based functionality, Follett will add new, dynamic capabilities on an ongoing basis. Schools have the flexibility to introduce the new features at their own pace.

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