Starting in October, students enrolled at Polk County Schools can become instant members of Polk County Public Libraries through a new program called StudentAccess.

As part of a partnership between the public libraries and the school system, students will be given an electronic library account using their student ID number. This account gives students the ability to check out up to 10 items at a time, with no library card to keep track of.

To participate, students simply need a signed permission form. Permission forms go home with students this week, and must be returned to their school no later than Tuesday.

Participating students will be able to use their student ID numbers to check out up to 10 books and audiobooks from the Columbus and Saluda libraries. A special perk of StudentAccess accounts is that no overdue fines will be charged, though if an item is lost or damaged, the student would be responsible for that.

Students will also have access to online library resources such as e-Books through the North Carolina Kids Digital Library, Mango Languages and the Testing and Education Reference Center.

This partnership between the schools and the public libraries is based on the shared belief that a love of books and learning is a strong foundation for student success, library representatives said. The purpose of the StudentAccess program is to eliminate barriers to library access while improving literacy and student achievement.

“We’re delighted for this opportunity to work with our schools to make library access easier for students,” said Library Director Rishara Finsel. “Students who use public libraries do better in schools, and that is something we all want.”

For more information, people may visit polklibrary.org.

– Submitted by Jen Pace Dickenson