March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 54 F

Library and AACPS launch SAIL program for county students

library cardOfficials with the Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) and Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) have rolled out a new public library account — SAIL (Student Access to Improved Learning) — for all students enrolled in the school system. The program, unveiled at Park Elementary in Brooklyn Park, provides access to library materials with no fines.

SAIL is a special library account that doesn’t require students to use a plastic card to check out books or access library resources. The virtual card is the result of a partnership between the library system and school system and is aimed at ensuring that all students have access to library resources.

The account permits students to borrow books, ebooks, magazines, and educational DVDs while also allowing access to valuable online resources including databases, Lynda.com courses and Rosetta Stone learning language programs. The special account also grants students the ability to get free, online homework help through Help Now!, powered by Brainfuse. Students can check out up to three items without accruing fines, but materials still need to be returned on time.

“We are excited to provide the new SAIL account, which automatically enrolls more than 80,000 students into the library system making access to learning, educational resources more convenient both in the classroom and at home” said Hampton “Skip” Auld, CEO, Anne Arundel County Public Library.

“Our library system is a critical partner in the success of our students, and this initiative is more evidence of that,” said Superintendent of Schools George Arlotto. “Every branch of the library – and every portal our students can access – contains a treasure trove of resources to help our chidren excel academically and socially.”

SAIL accounts work by linking public school students accounts to the public library system database. Students can use an ID number as a virtual library card to check out and access online resources. There is no card for students to carry and those who can’t locate their ID number can provide library staff othe identifying information to check out materials.

The Library has expanded its collaboration with the education community in recent years including offering an Educator’s Library Card to teachers, college professors, media specialists/librarians, licensed child care providers and homeschool parents and guardians who work in Anne Arundel County.

Additionally, an expanded TumbleBook library is now available to Anne Arundel County Public Schools in partnership with Anne Arundel County Public Library. Tumblebooks are animated, talking books by popular authors with titles ranging from picture books to chapter books to graphic novels—something for every reader. Books are never “checked out” so they’re always available for children to read at home, at school or anywhere. AACPS and AACPL both have access to the premium version of the TumbleBook library with expanded features and content including comprehension quizzes, lesson plans and Common Core Portal. The portal contains core-aligned resources for reading and math. Resources also include educational videos, puzzles and games, language learning and more.

The Anne Arundel County Public Library provides a variety of educational resources available to children, students and families. For more information about all materials and programs, please visit the library’s website www.aacpl.net.

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