When Rachel Weatherford joined Faldyn Elementary School in Katy, Texas, as its first-ever Library Media Specialist, she knew she was embarking on a significant journey. Building a library from scratch is no small feat, but Rachel embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. She understood that to create a thriving library, she needed a vendor that would be a true partner, supporting her every step of the way.

Finding the Right Partner

Rachel’s search for the perfect vendor led her to Follett Content. After meeting with several, it became clear that Follett Content stood out from the rest. “After meeting with all of the vendors,” Rachel recalls, “it was clear Follett Content was the company that would help me create the library I was envisioning.”

The project was not only extensive in scope but also had a tight timeline. Rachel needed the entire process completed in less than a month to ensure the library would be ready for the new school year. Despite the daunting task ahead, Rachel was confident that Follett Content could meet her needs.

The Challenge of a Tight Timeline

One of the most significant challenges was the tight timeline. Rachel needed more than 14,000 books delivered, unpacked, and shelved in just a few days before the students arrived. “It was going to be daunting to get more than 14,000 books delivered, unpacked, and on the shelves in just a few days before the students came into the building,” Rachel says. “I was able to choose a delivery date for the books and a separate shelving date, due to the ongoing construction in the library.”

As the delivery day approached, Rachel’s nerves were understandable. However, any concerns she had were quickly alleviated. “As the week approached that my books were being delivered, Follett Content sent me numbers for each box to lay out on my library shelves. Everything was so much easier than I could have ever imagined,” she says. “The books were unpacked, and all the garbage was removed before noon! I thought unpacking a book collection of our size would take days – not the case. I was in shock because I thought there would be so much more I had to do.”

Genrefying the Library

A crucial part of the project was genrefying the library, both fiction and nonfiction titles. Rachel wanted to ensure that the library was organized in a way that made it easy for students to find what they were looking for. “I sat down with my Follett Content representative and talked about the best way to make this happen,” she says. “He was able to get me in touch with someone who created all my genre categories. And since my campus is bilingual, it was also important that each category had a Spanish option.”

Once the genre categories were finalized, selecting books and getting them genrefied was surprisingly simple. Most of the books Rachel selected were already assigned to one of her categories. For books that didn't immediately pull up with a category, she could select from a convenient dropdown menu recommending the best fit.

Organizing the Library

Integrating titles in an easy-to-find manner was paramount to ensuring students could easily find what they were looking for. “It was also important that the English and Spanish titles were integrated together alphabetically,” Rachel says. “For example, I wanted all nonfiction books about a certain topic, regardless of language, to be together. Follett Content was able to take the two different language sections for each category and pack them in boxes exactly how I wanted.” Having the library genrefied, Rachel says, has created a welcoming and popular atmosphere for students and teachers alike. “They use it easily and love it!”

The Joy of a Completed Project

With the biggest part of the project behind her, Rachel now enjoys watching the students use the library, happily browsing for books in the fully genrefied space. "As they are walking around, I hear students shouting out to their friends to come and see this or that section," she says.

For Rachel, witnessing the elementary school’s library serve as the heart of the campus through literacy and discovery is a great source of pride, both professionally and personally. She is proud that the vendor she selected delivered as promised. “I had the best experience working with Follett Content – from the creation of the collection to seeing it in real life on the shelves,” she says. “Every step of the way, I was able to talk with someone immediately, and they found a way to make it happen.”

Advice for Fellow Librarians

Rachel’s experience with Follett Content has been so positive that she is eager to share her advice with fellow librarians. “If I sat down with fellow librarians getting ready to open a brand-new library,” Rachel continues, “I’d tell them if they want to create one filled with information and love, then Follett Content is the company for you!”

The Role of Follett Titlewave^®

Follett Titlewave^® also played an integral role in the success of the project. Titlewave^® is an online collection development and ordering tool that helps librarians build and manage their collections. Rachel found Titlewave^® to be an invaluable resource throughout the process.

“Titlewave^® made it easy to search for and select the books I needed,” Rachel says. “The tool’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive database allowed me to find exactly what I was looking for quickly and efficiently. It also provided recommendations based on my selections, which was incredibly helpful.”

Titlewave^®’s features, such as the ability to create and manage lists, track orders, and access reviews and ratings, made the entire process smoother and more efficient. Rachel appreciated the convenience and support that Titlewave^® provided, ensuring that she could build a collection that met the needs of her students and teachers.

A Thriving Library for the Future

With the support of Follett Content and Titlewave^®, Rachel successfully created a thriving elementary school library from the ground up. The library now serves as a vibrant and welcoming space for students to explore, discover, and develop a love for reading.

Rachel’s journey highlights the importance of having a reliable and supportive partner when undertaking such a significant project. Follett Content and Titlewave^® provided the expertise, resources, and support needed to bring her vision to life.

As Rachel looks to the future, she is excited about the possibilities that the library holds for her students. “I can’t wait to see how the library continues to grow and evolve,” she says. “It’s a place where students can come to learn, explore, and find inspiration. I’m grateful to Follett Content and Titlewave^® for helping me create a library that truly makes a difference in the lives of our students.”

Looking to open a new school library or refresh your current one? Follett Content is here to help! Learn more about our library services.

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