Call it a gift that keeps on giving.
Any student at H. Allen Hight Elementary School who did not own a Sacramento Public Library Card was set to receive one this month through a new partnership between Natomas Unified and the local library system. The card can be used for many years to come.
A similar library card giveaway is imminent at Natomas Middle School. The North Natomas Branch of the Sacramento Public Library currently serves as Inderkum High’s school library, so providing Hight and NMS students with cards ensures that all three NUSD campuses with International Baccalaureate ties have easy access to the same wealth of written, world language, and online materials.
Principal Hervey Taylor, of Hight, said that many families may drive by a public library branch every day, without stopping, visiting, and taking the time to request a library card. Receiving a card at school – usable at all 28 city and county branches – may be the incentive they need to patronize a library branch and discover what they’ve been missing, he said.
“It’s really the key to success, if we can get kids interested in reading,” Taylor said, adding that Hight has stressed the importance of reading this year by holding a book fair and a read-a-thon featuring guest readers in classrooms and friendly competitions among students to read the most books.
Library cards entitle students to check out up to 30 items, including books, magazines, DVDs and Music CDs, for a period of up to three weeks, which easily can be renewed. Students also can access online content and research materials, at any time, from home or school. Throughout the year, the library system offers homework help and a variety of special events, including summer reading programs.
Students can study more than two dozen languages, including Spanish and Mandarin, through Rosetta Stone online courses accessible with the library card. Written materials in world languages also are available through the Sacramento Public Library. The branch closest to Hight and Natomas Middle School is at 4660 Ingoglia, North Natomas.
At Hight, 7-year-old Tony said he already has used his public library card to check out a book on the Incredible Hulk.
Ethan, 11, said he has checked out Harry Potter books.
Jordan, 11, said his favorite book obtained through the library card was part of the “Spirit Animals” fantasy adventure series.
Brenden, 10, summed up the expanded library access in just two words.
“It’s cool,” he said, smiling.
