http://www.imls.gov/about/connected_library_challenge.aspx

ConnectED Library Challenge

The ConnectED Library Challenge is a way for communities throughout the country to create or strengthen partnerships so that every child enrolled in school can receive a library card.  The initiative calls upon library directors to work with their mayors, school leaders, and school librarians, to provide wider access to the learning resources and books of America's libraries.  As part of this effort, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), in partnership with the American Library Association (ALA) and the Urban Libraries Council (ULC), will host a national convening in fall of 2015 to identify and share best practices in reaching universal library card use among public school students.

In addition to partnerships that improve library card access, participating libraries will also commit to:

• Support student learning through programming that develops language, reading, and critical thinking
• Provide digital resources, such as eBooks and online collections of traditional media
• Provide broadband connectivity and wireless access within library facilities

The White House Fact Sheet provides additional details.

Click here to view communities that have already adopted the ConnectED Library Challenge.

To learn more about the ConnectED Library Challenge and how you can get involved, send an email to LibraryChallenge@imls.gov.

Event Launch:

On April 30 at the Anacostia Branch of the District of Columbia Public Library, President Obama announced two new efforts to strengthen student learning by improving access to digital content and to public libraries. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is supporting several library and non-profit partners to develop the Open eBooks initiative and the ConnectED Library Challenge. These efforts leverage the extensive resources of the nation's 16,400 public libraries to help kids develop a love of reading and discovery by making e-books and library services broadly available, particularly to students from low-income families.

Learn More:

June 25, 2015 White House Fact Sheet: ConnectED: Two Years of Delivering Opportunity to K-12 Schools & Libraries

April 30, 2015 IMLS Press Release: President Obama Announces Open eBooks and ConnectED Library Challenge

April 30, 2015 White House Blog Post: ConnectED: Open Books and Open Doors

May 2, 2015 White House Weekly Address: Ensuring Every Child Gets a Great Education

May 1, 2015 White House Blog Post: From Sherlock Holmes to The War of the Worlds: 13 E-Books Students Can Read For Free

White House Fact Sheet: Spreading the Joy of Reading to More Children and Young Adults

Watch on White House Live: President Obama Participates in a "Virtual Field Trip" with Students Around the Country

Follow #BooksforAll on Twitter for updates.

Related IMLS Research:

Research Brief No. 6: First Grade Student Library Card Ownership Linked to Library Visitation
A library card provides greater independence and access to literacy and information, while signifying increased responsibility and self-efficacy. Are there differences between children who do or do not have a library card? This brief focuses on children's library card ownership in the first grade. Read more.

Los Angeles Public Library

Project Partners:

About the American Library Association The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world,with approximately 58,000 members in academic, public, school, government, and special libraries. The mission of the American Library Association is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.

About the Urban Libraries Council The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) is a membership organization made up of North America's premier public library systems. While ULC's members primarily represent urban and suburban settings, the work done by ULC is widely used by all libraries including those in rural settings. ULC strategically addresses issues important to every community including education, workforce and economic development, public safety, environmental and social equity, health, and wellness. ULC members are thought leaders dedicated to the continuous evolution and strengthening of libraries to meet changing community needs. ULC focuses on helping library leaders develop and utilize skills and strategies that match the challenges of the 21st century. Learn more at www.urbanlibraries.org.

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