Access to literacy ONE Access project brings library resources to students
Lake Wylie Elementary fourth-grader Khamari Lawson likes to play baseball and read about it . Until recently , he ’ d only go to his school ’ s media center to look for books on his favorite topic . Sometimes he couldn ’ t find what he wanted to read . Now , through ONE Access , he can easily find the books he wants and get them from the public library .
In 2015 , Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library partnered for the ONE Access project , which provides CMS students access to library services using their student IDs . Students automatically have access to library research databases . They can also borrow digital materials such as e-books , e-audiobooks , magazines , music and video , and borrow up to 10 print or audio books . There are no overdue fines for ONE Access accounts , but users are responsible for fees on lost or damaged books . By the end of 2015 , more than 100,000 of 146,140 CMS students had used ONE Access , and more than 112,000 students were using it in March .
The benefit to students , staff and teachers is evident at Lake Wylie .
“ There are times , due to budget or space constraints , that I ’ m unable to purchase some of the books our students really want ,” said Tracy Gentile , school library media coordinator . “ Now , if they want it , they can get it . They ’ ve been very excited about it .”
She said there are instances when various teachers will assign the same project at the same time , straining school resources .
” If a project is about animals , I may not have enough resources to go around . Through ONE Access , students have been able to find what they need without having to wait ,” said Gentile . There are other benefits , too . Fourth-grader Londyn Allen no longer feels intimidated by the rows and rows of books when she visits the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library . “ It ’ s hard to find what I want sometimes because there are so many books to choose from ,” said Londyn . “ I can log on to ONE Access , find the book I want , put it on hold and go pick it up at the library . It ’ s easy .” Londyn ’ s classmate also finds it a useful tool and visits the local library a lot more . ” I go to the library much more now ,” said fourth-grader Khamoni Russell . “ I really like going to find fiction books . Right now , I ’ m reading Smile and Roller
Girl .” Hope Kohl , the CMS director of virtual learning and media services , said school libraries and the school librarian remain critical to developing students ’ engagement in learning . The ONE Access partnership brings thousands of digital resources into schools and students ’ homes . “ When students have easy and reliable access to engaging and relevant reading material , they read more ,” said Kohl . “ When students read more , they enhance their reading abilities , writing skills , vocabulary acquisition and develop a better understanding of their world . It ’ s a win-win .” Students can log on to ONE Access using the CMS student portal or by visiting www . cmlibrary . org .
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Parent Teacher News • May / June 2016 • 3