More than 60,000 Student Library Cards Issued during 2015/2016 School Year
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 3, 2016 – The Jacksonville Public Library (JPL) enjoyed the spotlight at the Northeast Florida Library Information Network (NEFLIN) Annual Meeting on Sept. 23. The NEFLIN Innovation Award recognizes an innovative program or service that has demonstrated impact on the community between the dates of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.
In addition to the Innovation Award, the library received the Member of the Year and Golden Apple awards from NEFLIN. Amber Holley, JPL Manager of Youth Services and Community Outreach, led the development and implementation of the Student Card initiative. For these significant efforts, she received the NEFLIN Member of Year Award.
The Golden Apple Award recognizes the library system from which staff members have attended the most NEFLIN training opportunities. JPL understands the importance of continuing education and encourages staff development through various training vehicles. JPL staff took advantage of 331 NEFLIN training courses from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.
About Student Card Initiative
The 2015/2016 DCPS Student Library Card Program positively impacted Duval County by providing access to the library to more than 60,000 school children, many of whom had never been to a public library. JPL and Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) partnered so that students in grades K – 5 could use their DCPS student ID numbers as virtual library cards.
Additionally, students in grades K – 2 made field trips to JPL library branches. During the 2015/2016 school year, more than 30,000 books were checked out using these student cards. Because of the program success, the initiative was expanded for the current school year. All DCPS students in grades K – 12 (more than 120,000) can use their DCPS student IDs as library cards.
About NEFLIN
Through grant funding and membership dues, NEFLIN provides members access to training, resource sharing, research and development, partnerships for grant funding, leadership opportunities, and additional services through relationships with other organizations.
About the Jacksonville Public Library
The mission of the Jacksonville Public Library is to enrich lives, build community and foster success by bringing people, information and ideas together. Last year, more than
3.4 million visits were made to Jacksonville Public Libraries, items were checked out more than 5.9 million times, and nearly 11,000 programs and services were offered to Duval County residents at the Main Library and 20 branch locations. For more information about the Jacksonville Public Library, call 630-BOOK (2665) or visit jaxpubliclibrary.org.
JACKSONVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
303 Laura St. N.
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
630-2665
