Charlotte Public Schools and the Charlotte Community Library team up to improve library access for all CPS students
In a collaborative effort to improve literacy and address inequity around access to information, the Charlotte Public Schools (CPS) and Charlotte Community Library (CCL) have partnered to provide all students with library cards. Barriers to use library resources exist in pockets in every community. These challenges manifest in many ways and often affect those who need library services the most.
These new School Cards circumvent those obstructions. Students will be able to check out physical books, but will also be provided access to eResources in the way of eBooks, audiobooks, live homework help, and more. The library has also recently bolstered its Wi-Fi, so after hours and on weekends, as long as they can get to the library parking lot, they can access these services, even if they do not have the internet at home. Additionally addressing income inequality, the new School Cards will not accrue overdue fines.
School Cards will be issued annually to students of the Charlotte Public Schools. Parents are provided an opt out period, then the CPS provides the library with the student name and student ID number. If students wish to check out physical items they must come to the library and provide their contact information. We have followed this process this year, and the cards are now live!
What the School Card provides:
- Libby Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, to read on your phone or tablet using the Libby app by OverDrive.
- Tutor.com Tutor.com is a fully online tutoring service. You can get a tutor 24/7 in more than 40 subjects including Math, Science, Social Studies, English, AP ® Support, Foreign Languages and Business. Tutoring sessions take place in an easy-to-use online classroom, which runs in your web browser.
- Mango Languages Nativespeaker instructors guide you through the nuances of pronunciation and mechanics of 70 world languages.
- Consumer Reports Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit member organization that works side by side with consumers for truth, transparency, and fairness in the marketplace.
- Two items from the library shelves If students wish to check out physical items they must come to the library and provide their contact information.
Some upcoming events include: Holiday parties, Story Times, Craft Clubs, Book Clubs, and STEM kits!
Through this partnership the schools and library are looking to create greater community impact than either could alone. By sharing resources, expertise, and information there will be more efficiency in the implementation of this initiative, and more communication channels to reach a wider audience that these tools for student success now exist.
Go Orioles! Oriole Pride!
Dr. Mandy Stewart – CPS Superintendent
Mr. David Votta – Director Charlotte Community Library
Original source can be found here.
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