As students and teachers at Allen County Schools start the school year, they’ll have expanded access to library resources because of a unique merger between the school district’s libraries and the Allen County Public Library. 

Through the Boundless Library project, each school has been converted to a library branch with online access to material available at the school and public library. A small sample of those resources include access to more than 50 online magazines, downloadable books and audio, free online tutoring and more than 85,000 books. 

“The digital age has just opened a floodgate for information that we’re able to offer to our patrons,” said Shelia Stovall, public library director. “I just want every child in Allen County to have access to this.”

Stovall first encountered the idea of a linked library after learning about a similar project in the Nashville metro area. She brought in school officials and got permission from the public library board for a five-year funding commitment to put the project on solid ground. 

“I know there are some parents who will never bring their children to the (public) library,” Stovall said of the reason behind the project. 

The service is available to all students unless parents decide to opt out. More than 100 teachers can also use the digital services. 

Students’ 10-digit state ID numbers act as library cards, and they can request material from the public library to be delivered to their schools. They’ll have access to consumer reports, free online classes, the World Book Encyclopedia, Ancestry.com, Kentucky Virtual Library, a resume creation tool, ACT prep and courses for over 70 languages.

Instructional coordinator Chad Cooper sees the project as a way to provide resources the school district can’t afford otherwise. 

“Most school districts over the past few years have experienced budget shortfalls,” he said. 

The district is regaining access to the World Book Encyclopedia and Kentucky Virtual Library after losing access in previous years.  

“It fills in some of those gaps,” Cooper said of the project. “There’s several reference sites and programs that the public library offers that will help our students when they’re doing research papers or different types of projects.”

Cooper knows how critical reading skills are to students. 

“Reading is the most important skill that children can develop at an early age,” he said. “This would not be possible without such a strong public library that we have that’s really willing to reach out into the community.”

As a librarian at the Allen County Primary Center, Tasha Stamper often finds she only has so many books to offer. Popular titles and series can be especially challenging to provide. 

“It just makes it so much easier for our teachers, for our students, who are wanting a particular title,” she said. “We will now have access to those things more readily.” 

For Stovall, it’s all about the kids. 

“At the end of the day we want the students to be successful,” she said. “That’s what it’s about is providing great resources for the students.”

— Follow education reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter @BGDN_edbeat or visit bgdailynews.com.