Worcester schools add six elementary sites to district library system; administration outlines training and partnerships
Loading...
Summary
At a March 26 meeting, Worcester Public Schools officials said a new Follett Destiny contract brings six elementary schools into the district library system, and described MOU work with the Worcester Public Library, training plans and digital access through Sora and Libby; the committee approved holding the item for the next biannual report.
The Teaching, Learning and Student Success subcommittee of Worcester Public Schools heard on March 26 that the district has added six elementary schools to its library management system under a newly approved contract with Follett Destiny.
Dr. Colleen Kelly, the district’s curriculum specialist for history and libraries, told the committee: "the district has just had a contract approved with Follett Destiny. They are a library management system that we use on the secondary school level, and we have just been able to add 6 elementary schools to that contract." The administration said the change will allow students to check books in and out and that training for library teachers, building staff and volunteers will follow.
Why it matters: parents and volunteers urged restored elementary library services during public comment, saying access to physical books and librarian support affect research skills and reading engagement. Resident Jody Champlain told the committee that "Worcester Public Scholars need and deserve elementary school libraries back in their schools," and parent Dina Tedeschi thanked volunteers and emphasized in‑person and mobile options for students without library spaces.
The administration said the district already coordinates with Worcester Public Library through an MOU, provides digital access via Sora and Libby and meets with the public library’s youth services staff. Dr. Kelly added that secondary librarians are receiving training from Quinsigamond Community College to support dual‑enrollment students and that the district will schedule training tied to the Follett system rollout.
Committee members framed the steps as foundational but incomplete. Member Vanessa Alvarez called the contract a "really important" step for elementary students and urged continued attention to nonfiction acquisitions after noting Sora usage data shows high demand for nonfiction materials. Vice Chair Beneda thanked parent volunteers who have kept library services active while the district rebuilt capacity.
The committee voted to approve the administration’s recommendation and "hold the item for our next biannual report," with the clerk recording roll call votes of yes from Member Vanessa Alvarez, Vice Chair Beneda and Chair Alex Guardiola. The administration said the next formal update will include SOAR data, details on the fourth/fifth prep period staffing adjustments that allowed library periods and other implementation metrics.
Next steps: the district will schedule Follett Destiny onboarding and training, continue coordination under the Worcester Public Library MOU and report back at the committee’s next biannual update.
