Identification of partners, collaborators, and resources is an important aspect of a “Library and Community Analysis.” The local public library is where I can make referrals in instances when my library is not equipped to meet a particular need.
Sonoma County Library has publicly stated that its resources are “for everyone,” and recently affirmed its commitment to offer “diverse and inclusive materials” (Saarinen, 2022).
This collaboration is important to me, because I know that as much as I strive to build a comprehensive and inclusive collection in my singular school library, there is no way I can duplicate the resources available through a multi-branch or even multi-county public library system (Parkhill, 2022).
Two programs in particular are of special benefit: the Student OneCard, which allows students to access resources through the public library: including audiobooks, eBooks, magazines, and more; free online homework tutoring in all major subjects; use public library computers at any public library locations; borrow books from any SCL location; and request books from partner libraries (Sonoma County Library, n.d.-b).
SCL’s goal is to bring the Student OneCard to every student in the county, Kindergarten through grade 12 (Gore, 2020).
As of 2020, the program was available in 23 of 40 school districts in Sonoma County, “giving nearly 56,000+ Sonoma County public school students access to library resources” (ibid).
SCL also offers an Educator Card, which provides teachers “with access to materials that support their students in the classroom” (Sonoma County Library, n.d.-a). “Teachers can have an Educator Card account in addition to a regular library account” (ibid).
Apart from these programs, simply knowing what is being added to the collection at the public library might help me to determine what titles might be good to add to our school library. (Or, conversely, identify a need that is already being met abundantly, so that I can allocate available resources in another needed area) (Parkhill, 2022).
References:
Gore, K. (2020, July 10). Increasing student access to library resources. Library news. Sonoma County Library. https://sonomalibrary.org/increasing-student-access
Parkhill, C.M. (2022, Feb. 26). Collaboration between school and public libraries. Cynthia Parkhill. https://cynthiaparkhill.blogspot.com/2022/02/lis-5100-collaboration-between-school.html
Saarinen, R. (2022, July 15). Sonoma County Library is for everyone. Library news. Sonoma County Library. https://sonomalibrary.org/blogs/news/sonoma-county-library-is-for-everyone
Sonoma County Library. (n.d.-a). Educator card. https://sonomalibrary.org/educatorcard
Sonoma County Library. (n.d.-b). Student OneCard. https://sonomalibrary.org/student-onecard
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