MCHENRY, Ill., Jan. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Follett Software Company's market leading Destiny Library Manager software product for K-12 schools and districts is playing a key role in a program that by 2015 will provide all 1.1 million New York City public school students with direct access to 17 million books and other informational learning materials.

MyLibraryNYC is an initiative undertaken by the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) in conjunction with the New York, Brooklyn, and Queens public libraries, and has been called by the mayor of New York City "a great example of the public and private sectors coming together to invest in our children and the city's future."

NYCDOE is a major Destiny Library Manager customer with more than 700 of its public schools using the library management solution. As part of MyLibraryNYC, the Destiny system will help connect students and teachers to millions of digital and print resources, and to one another, through its link to BiblioCommons, the new search and social networking interface of the public library catalog.

By 2015, MyLibraryNYC will provide digital access and school-site delivery to the more than 17 million books and informational resources available in the three libraries' collections. The MyLibraryNYC pilot first launched last year in a partnership between 86 schools and only the New York Public Library system. Surveys conducted after the pilot showed that nearly 90 percent of participating teachers said the program better equipped them to teach, and that students in the pilot were three times more likely to check out a book from their public library than those in non-participating schools. This year's expansion includes the Brooklyn and Queens public libraries.

"Libraries are an indispensable asset to our students and the expansion of MyLibraryNYC will encourage reading and promote learning both inside and outside the classroom," said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg during a recent news conference to announce the program's development. "This program is a great example of the public and private sectors coming together to invest in our children and city's future.

"By expanding the volumes of our school libraries to include the collections of three of the largest public library systems in the country," Bloomberg continued, "we are increasing the opportunities for our students to meet the higher bar of the Common Core standards and graduate ready for college and careers."

Each student in the 400 participating schools will receive a new library card, and teachers may order up to 100 books as part of lesson plans. Teachers may also use online social tools to collaborate with their peers, share ideas and post their own recommended book lists. The program is made possible with $5 million in funding from Citi, which provided for the development of the online searchable catalog and interactive tools.

"We are thrilled to be part of such a worthy and innovative project that will increase the opportunities for so many children and to help them thrive," said Don Rokusek, Destiny Program Director for Follett Software. "And we are especially proud to be involved with a program in all five boroughs where so many of the public schools trust Destiny Library Manager to help them enhance the library's important role as a school's information and collaboration center."

Nationally, Follett Software's Destiny Library Manager is in more than 6,000 school districts and 58,000 schools.

For more information on Follett Software Company, visit www.FollettSoftware.com. For more information on Destiny Library Manager, visit www.follettsoftware.com/library-automation-software.

About Follett Software Company | www.FollettSoftware.com
Follett Software Company is the integrated technology solution provider that more than half of America's school districts trust to create a student-focused, digital learning environment. From discovering new ways to use emerging technologies to connecting students and teachers with the traditional and digital resources that support achievement, Follett helps educators and students navigate and collaborate in the digital world. Follett's powerful solutions integrate the technology, data and content to support an active, engaging learning community for the 21st century. Follett Software Company is a subsidiary of Follett Corporation, a $2.7 billion, privately held company that provides products, services and solutions to the educational marketplace. Follett Corporation was founded in 1873 and has its headquarters in River Grove, Ill.

SOURCE Follett Software Company