All Lawrence Township, Indiana Public School Students Receive Indianapolis Public Library Cards

From the Indianapolis Public Library:

The Indianapolis Public Library and Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township have completed a first-ever initiative to provide all district public school students with Indy Library cards. It represents the first step toward the Library’s goal to provide a Library card to every public school student in Marion County.
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The special new Library card, called the e-resource card, will allow students to access the Library’s growing collection of digital materials, such as eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming video, streaming music and magazines, as well an array of online databases to help in their academic research. The card allows for limited borrowing of books and physical materials, but young people can visit any IndyPL location with a parent or guardian to upgrade to a full Library card.
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“This is so exciting to have every single student in Lawrence Township receive a Library card,” said IndyPL CEO Jackie Nytes. “Enriching young lives is one of our important missions, and it all starts now as students will discover a world of information at their fingertips.”
Research provided by the Illinois School Library Media Association demonstrates a strong link between access to high quality library services and academic achievement. By providing access to IndyPL’s online offerings beyond what’s available in a school’s library, students will be inspired not only to become better readers and learners but to develop the digital research skills necessary for later academic success. Additionally, such access will enable MSD Lawrence Township students to complete school work as the district moves to provide them with tablet computers for classwork

Quick Comment From infoDOCKET: Awesome project! Of course, it’s one thing to have a library card and it’s something else to use it…often! We think it’s important for the library (and other libraries with similar projects) to not only make sure students understand what libraries offer IN THE LIBRARY building but that many resources and tools are available to them 24x7x365, anywhere they can access the Internet and on most if not all of the devices they use. Also, that librarians are available to assist them in person, on the phone, via chat, etc.
See Also: Philadelphia: City Schools and Free Library Merge Databases and Give Nearly 100,00 Students Library Cards (April 15, 2014)

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