“Your library card is your ticket to opportunity… What other card in your wallet gives you free access to books and magazines, DVDs and videos, computers and Internet access?” Suzanne White
Last year at Fountaindale Public Library, we initiated the student success library card program. The world was in lockdown, so online teaching and learning became the norm. Our Outreach team came up with a creative way to serve our school community and ensure all students had access to our resources. We wanted to make as many library cards as possible for the students in our district, so we started the student success program in collaboration with Valley View Community Unit School District 365U and White Oak Library District. During the first year, our two libraries created more than 15,000 cards!
We welcomed the 2021–22 school year with excitement and once again teamed up with Valley View and White Oak to issue student success library cards to new students. This year we created nearly 2000!
This meaningful collaboration continues the tradition of successful partnerships between our organizations. Together, we build a sense of community and cooperation and meet the needs of students as they achieve their academic goals. A student success library card provides the same access to books, movies and video games as a regular Fountaindale Public Library card, linking students to the resources and information they need to improve their literacy skills. Students can check out materials in our building, at Bookmobile stops and any other Pinnacle libraries in Joliet, Shorewood, Lemont, Plainfield, Crest Hill, Lockport and Romeoville.
A student success library card also gives students access to our treasure trove of eResources for research and homework help, eBooks and movies through our digital collection and creative freedom in our maker lab and Studio 300.
When we see students boarding our Bookmobile, equipped with their Student Success library cards and huge smiles, that’s how we know we’ve done our job!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
IS THIS CARD READY TO USE?
Yes, you can use it as soon as you receive it. We set the default PIN to the first two digits of the month and the last two digits of the year of your child’s birthday. We recommend that you reset it to a new PIN of your choosing. You can do that by logging into your library account online.
WHAT IF MY CHILD ALREADY HAS A FOUNTAINDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY CARD?
If your child already has a library card, we will merge it with their new student success library card. They should use their new card, as the old account will be deleted. If you prefer to revert to the old library card number, present your card at the library or Bookmobile, or call us at 630.759.2102.
AM I LIABLE FOR FINES ON OVERDUE MATERIALS? LOST MATERIALS?
Fountaindale Public Library is a fine-free library. That means you no longer have to pay daily late fines on items that are overdue. Lost/damaged materials will be billed to the parent/guardian.
CAN I USE MY CHILD’S STUDENT SUCCESS CARD?
Student success library cards are intended for the exclusive use of the child named on the back of the card. If you want to sign up for a card, you can get started here or contact us at 630.759.2102 for more information.
Questions? Contact Outreach Services Manager, Tana Petrov, at 630.685.4231 or tpetrov@fountaindale.org.
