BCPS Students Get Special Library Accounts

From BCPL: Effective today, all Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) students have access to Baltimore County Public Library resources via new Student Accounts. This initiative, which is an extension of the Baltimore County Public Library and BCPS SAIL: Students Achieve in Libraries partnership, realizes a shared goal of providing all students unfettered access to public library resources and removes any barriers — including late fees — that students and families may have faced in the past.

In an effort to be as flexible as possible with young library customers, Student Account holders will not accrue late or extended-use fees. While borrowing privileges may be blocked due to unreturned items (30 days after an item is due), accounts will always offer access to online resources and databases.

“Libraries should always serve as equalizers in opportunities for knowledge and success,” said Baltimore County Public Library Director Paula Miller, “so making our libraries as accessible as possible for people of all ages is a high priority.”

Through their Student Accounts, all BCPS students are now able to borrow up to five print, audio books, ebooks, or e-audiobooks at one time and have access to Baltimore County Public Library’s online resources. Students who visit any of the library’s 19 Baltimore County locations may check out materials by scanning a BCPS One Card or with Baltimore County Public Library staff assistance; online resources can be accessed on the Baltimore County Public Library website using a student identification number.

“We want students reading and writing every day,” BCPS Interim Superintendent Verletta White said. “Thanks to this excellent partnership with Baltimore County Public Library, students have access to even more reading materials to complement the resources available at our nationally-recognized school libraries.”

Students of all ages can benefit from visiting Baltimore County Public Library; branches offer interactive programming, including virtual reality and gaming, technology and hands-on activities, afterschool activities, quiet study space (including group study rooms), and millions of books. For those unable to make it to a branch, kids are able to live chat with tutors seven days a week, from 2 p.m. to 11:55 p.m. through Brainfuse, learn or hone a new language through Rosetta Stone andMango Languages, read or listen to a book on a device through Overdrive and Cloud Library, learn about the world throughWorld Book Kids or World Book Student, study for important tests through Testing & Education Reference Center, and more.

Baltimore County Public Library has been an anchor in the community since 1948 and continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs of Baltimore County residents. Today, its 19 branches are safe zones, civic centers, technology hubs, and spaces for ideas and learning. Baltimore County Public Library has offerings for the entire family to explore, learn, create, and connect. For more information about branches and services, visit the Baltimore County Public Library website and follow Baltimore County Public Library on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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