Chapel Hill is working on a new initiative that will make accessing library books and resources easy for local students and families.

Last year, public libraries and schools countrywide signed on to compete in a challenge in which cities develop programs for students enrolled in school to easily obtain access to public libraries.

But this year, the new challenge is the Leaders Library Card Challenge. It encourages the same things – for schools, libraries and towns to collaborate. Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger said all three are going to be up to that challenge.

“We’re going to sign up for this challenge and you have to have the cooperation of the town, the school system and the library,” she said. “Which we’re very much all on board with this, so… very exciting.”

She said as we continue to live in an age where technology and simplicity are everything, it can also get more difficult to tell a reliable source from a not-so-reliable one. So, Hemminger said giving students easy library access can help expedite the research process.

“The world’s changing pretty quickly and research is important,” she said. “It’s important to know where your sources are coming from.”

Some of the work moving along with the challenge includes possibly “pre-approving” students for library cards or allowing them to use their student ID’s in place of library cards.

Hemminger also said the schools, town and library will be working together on a system so that resources can be accessed remotely, for those who don’t have access to transportation.

“There’ll be some training that has to go on with the school system and the library system and with teachers and students and so they’ll get it all figured out,” she said. “But they’re very excited about looking into this opportunity.”

The town will be submitting a letter signed by the library director, superintendent and mayor in the next week, accepting the challenge.

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Considers Internet Filters for Library
Library officials in Chapel Hill are looking to upgrade, or change the internet policy for library computers, to block access to visual depictions of child pornography. Library computer users currently have unfiltered access to the internet, and mayor Pam Hemminger said that can pose problems for children and families who also use the library’s resources. […]
Juneteenth Holiday to Affect Local Government Services Around Orange County
Across the country on Friday, Black Americans and communities will celebrate Juneteenth — the national recognition of when the final slaves were freed in the 19th century and of African-American culture. As a holiday, government services around the Orange County community will be affected on June 19 and the surrounding days. Here’s what residents can […]
Chapel Hill Approves FY27 Budget with No Tax Increases; Will Revisit Library Funding, Greenways in Fall
The unanimous vote approved the Town of Chapel Hill to operate on a $170 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a slight increase.
Facing Pressures In All Directions, Orange County Commissioners Near Budget Decision
Orange County Commissioners are holding a public hearing on next year's budget Thursday, May 28, with major decisions yet to be made.
No Tax Increases and Increased Spending Featured in Chapel Hill Staff's Proposed FY27 Budget
Following a year with improved revenues and a new town manager at the helm, the Town of Chapel Hill may go into the next fiscal year without a tax increase or significant cuts.
Our Town: The Story of Summer in Chapel Hill
This month, Nikki Cherry and Karin Michel and from Parks and Recreation and the Library tell the story of making the summer season fun for kids and families in Chapel Hill.
Our Town: The Story of the Summer Youth Employment Program
This month, Zequel Hall, who leads the Town's Summer Youth Employment Program is joined by three of the Town of Chapel Hill's young employees, Carlos, Eman, Irene, and Malachi, to tell the story of the Summer Youth Employment Program.
Orange County Schools Closed, CHCCS Declares Remote Learning for Thursday As Cold Temps Keep Snow and Ice
Thanks to a light snow that fell Tuesday night, the Orange County community saw its schools cancel instruction on Wednesday.
Thanksgiving Holiday to Affect Local Government Services in Orange County
Thanksgiving will fall on Thursday, Nov. 28 this year, and the holiday will affect several local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s a rundown of what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29 are both town holidays. Residential trash collection will not be affected. However, there […]
'A True Mentor': Lisa Price Honored by NCGV, Chapel Hill With Library Bench Dedication
North Carolinians Against Gun Violence dedicated a bench at the Chapel Hill Public Library in honor of Lisa Price on Tuesday.
›