Anonymous
Source: City of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Public Library activated over 6,000 Student Success Library Cards for students of Santa Barbara Unified School District [last] week. SBPL has been working with SBUSD for several months to create a simple, straightforward way for students to access Library materials, both by checking out books or materials, or accessing SBPL’s extensive digital collections.
Parents and guardians are able to opt-in at enrollment to have their student’s ID number function as a library card. No physical card is issued, and all a student needs is their ID to access materials. Details on the program can be found on the Library’s website along with answers to frequently asked questions.
With schools transitioning to virtual instruction the last few weeks, digital resources have become more in demand than ever. Santa Barbara Public Library offers digital ebooks and audiobooks through Overdrive; access to ebooks, digital audiobooks, movies, TV, and comics through Hoopla Digital; access to language-learning software, Mango, access to The New York Times, and digital magazines through RBDigital; access to online test prep materials through Enki and many more online learning and research resources.
“Santa Barbara Public Library curates resources to support education, from read-alongs for emerging readers to test prep books and study guides for high school students. The Student Success partnership allows students to access resources that would otherwise not be available, and gives teachers more tools to supplement research needs or to support independent reading projects,” said Library Director Jessica Cadiente. “With in-person classes suspended, digital resources like those Santa Barbara Public Library offers become even more critical in ensuring our student’s success.”
Mayor Cathy Murrillo stated, “The City of Santa Barbara is committed to the success of SBUSD and all of our students. It is our hope that the Student Success Cards will provide our youth with the access to resources they need for academic achievement.”
The Library is also offering mail delivery of books, and students with these new cards are eligible for that service. SBPL Delivers! is funded by Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation.
Currently, the Library is working with SBUSD to allow parents or caregivers to opt-in at any time so cards can be automatically activated. Santa Barbara Public Library hopes to expand the program to include partnerships with other public school districts in the service area, including Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Carpinteria.
Visit the Santa Barbara Public Library online at SBPLibrary.org for information. All library services are free and open to the public.
