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The Troy Community School District 30-C school board recently approved a collaboration between the district and the Joliet Public and Shorewood-Troy Libraries, that allows all Troy students who live in the library districts to more easily obtain a library card.

With Troy schools currently educating students remotely during this period of Covid-19, the cards will give students 24-7 digital access to the libraries' online collections, in addition to traditional print materials.

The online collections include Overdrive e-books and e-audiobooks, Tumblebooks (a collection of e-books for children), Biblioboard Library, Explora Primary School (covers math, science, history, literature, and more), MAS Ultra-School Edition, Middle Search Plus, Novelist K-8 Plus and Primary Search.

Troy Learning Resource Center Facilitator Barb Miller said she is looking forward to what the collaboration will bring to Troy students.

"Our public libraries are a tremendous resource and have been longtime community partners of Troy 30-C," Miller said. "In these uncertain times, we truly appreciate their innovative efforts to support our students and their families. We expect this program to be a huge success."

"Particularly in light of the pandemic and the challenges schools and families are continuing to face," said Shorewood-Troy Library Director Jennie Cisna Mills, "we are looking for ways to be able to serve our communities' students with free and equal access to an ever-expanding collection of age-appropriate materials for both learning and recreation."

"Joining forces with our fellow Pinnacle Library Cooperative member, Shorewood-Troy Library," added Megan Millen, Joliet Public Library Executive Director, "along with School District Troy 30-C, will not only benefit the students, but our area taxpayers as well."

Students in the Shorewood-Troy Library District will receive their library cards in the mail this month, along with a coupon for a free book and welcome pack. Students in the Joliet Public Library District will be able to opt in to the program online.

Troy's LRC Facilitator Barb Miller said the school's libraries are also continuing to provide library services to students during remote learning. Elementary lessons are remote using recorded stories and Bitmoji libraries; digital books have been added at all grade levels; and Troy Middle School regularly uploads online resources for academic support, along with fun, interesting things to do and see.

Librarians at Troy's seven schools are Jolene Chamblee, Kelly DeRocco. Joyce Forlenzo, Gina Rolando, Jill Scarcelli, Chrissy Simmons and Tracy Voels.