When I started my job 19 years ago as the teacher librarian at Van Meter Community School, one of my first visitors was my Follett Content representative, Judy Diedrichs.
At the time, I had no idea how to be a librarian. I had a teacher degree, but had just started my masters in library science the same week I started my new job. I remember looking around the two libraries in our building and thinking, There are a lot of old books in here. What do I do with these? How and where do I order new books?
Then one day, Judy showed up in the library. I was so surprised someone came to our school to visit me and the library. She had a bag of books and introduced herself as my Follett Content rep. I remember her telling me how nice the library looked as my family and I had just painted it a cheery yellow. We talked and talked, and I confided in her that I didn't know where to start.
We decided that as I was looking for new books to order for our K-12 library, first we needed to weed through a lot of books to make room and freshen up the collection. Since I had just started my job and graduate classes, I had a lot of questions about the entire process of weeding. That day, Judy volunteered to come and help me. In fact, she came and helped me weed 100's of books from our collection and showed me the process of weeding, and what to do with the books. It was so much fun! Wee had a lot of laughs finding books like Gardening For Homemakers.
After we weeded and reorganized the library, it was time to order new books. By having a dedicated sales representative like Judy working with me on this project, it made the navigation of content selection easier. She showed me how to find book reviews, create lists and pull together series.
Our partnership wasn't just about sales to Judy, it was about student success, curriculum alignment, and making sure I was feeling confident about about our decisions too. She helped me streamline purchasing, making it more efficient and stress-free. And ever since that first box of books came, I have been hooked on ordering our books from Judy and Follett Content.
In addition to my relationship with Judy, there are several reasons Follett Content stands out above the rest.
Let's start with their commitment to exceptional service. It truly made a difference.
I also can't say enough about the incredible range of titles Follett carries - including 80,000 FollettBound® Titles with a lifetime binding guarantee. These durable, high-quality books are a go-to for me and make a real impact on both oru collection and budget.
I also appreciate the quick shipping turnaround, which ensures our books arrive when we need them. This also makes an impact in our classrooms since I am often ordering books for our teachers they need quickly to support the curriculum and their lessons.
This year, Follett Content introduced the newly enhanced sales organization to deliver more personalized support. With so many changes happening across education and libraries, having a dedicated rep by our side helps us confidently navigage new challenges and opportunities.
If you haven't connected with your Follett Content rep, I highly encourage you to reach out. They're more than just support-they're true partners in your work, and you'll quickly see the value they bring to your library and school community. Judy was the first trusted partner in my library journey. She took the time to listen, understood my vision, and aligned with the unique goals of our district. I'm grateful for every conversation, very visit, and the many ways she's supported me over the years.
And the best part? Along the way, Judy became a friend.
Follett Content continues to make a meaningful difference-not just for us as librarians and educators, but for the students we serve every day.