Approximately 126,000 public students with LINK accounts are now Library customers. Using just their student ID numbers, students may check out up to three items and access a host of free digital library resources including computers, wifi, online homework help, Beanstack, references materials, music, magazines, movies, gaming and more. Library programs that engage our youth such as STEM, 3D printing, and Virtual Reality technology, just to name a few, are also available. The legal challenges were overcome by the attorneys for both parties to give all of our public school students this amazing opportunity to leap into new knowledge.

The program supports President Obama’s ConnectED initiatives and provides tools students need to succeed, such as tutoring, homework help, test preparation, and a writing lab via Brainfuse. The Library partners with PGCPS to streamline student access to Library resources via accounts that only require student school ID numbers and do not incur overdue or lost materials fines and fees. The Library was able negotiate legal considerations and overcome any limitations. The Library developed branding for LINK, including the name, tagline, logo, brochures, posters, description etc. The program also addressed Polaris and Beanstack integration issues. We hosted the inaugural event with media coverage to launch LINK.

LINK actually moved from the Library CEO’s dream to our public school students’ reality. During the LINK event, two classrooms of elementary school students used LINK to sign up for our summer reading program. Students do not have to wait until their parents are available, complete application forms, or keep track of a library card. They can now access library services using their nine-digit student ID number with PGCPS as a prefix. Parents can always access their child's LINK account and change the contact information. Student success stories and a love for libraries are anticipated.