Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) students now have access to a plethora of digital resources thanks to e-resource cards each student will receive.
The e-resource card is a normal Indianapolis Public Library (IndyPL) card except it’s focused on digital access rather than physical material. The e-resource card provides virtual streaming, online homework help, online database research, e-books, audiobooks, movies, newspapers, articles and more.
IPS has noticed an uptick in students visiting libraries and using materials since the introduction of the e-resource card, Joseph Troyer, IPS district media specialist, said.
“Future plans are being put in motion to use informational resources as a part of instruction and curriculum,” Troyer said.
If a student leaves IPS for a township school, the e-resource cards would be updated to that specific school system, allowing the student to continue using it.
“Indianapolis Public Library aims for better education for students and to promote lifelong learning,” Cordia Watkins, circulation manager of IndyPL, said.
The e-resource cards are funded from a grant from the Indianapolis Public Library Fund. The program grew out of the initiative, ConnectED, first started in 2013. IndyPL first partnered with Lawrence Township to create a shared system of textbooks and grew to include more township districts over the years. This is the first year partnering with IPS.
“It is not a one and done,” Watkins said. “There will be continuous participation from schools and libraries and the initiative will continuously be pushed.”
Contact staff writer Malashia Pringle at 317-924-5143. Or email at Malashiap@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @MalashiaAp.
