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Committee advances library refresh purchases and subscriptions to full board
Summary
The committee approved forwarding a package of library purchases and digital subscriptions funded by a federal library refresh grant, including Bookalicious hard-copy purchases, a Britannica subscription and a New York Times subscription.
The Instruction and Support Services Committee on March 26 voted to forward the district's library refresh purchases and digital subscriptions to the full board for final approval.
Presenters said the purchases are funded by a federal library refresh grant and will expand print and digital collections, districtwide digital reference access and educator professional development. Lisa Page (presenting as "Lisa Bage" in the transcript), a district librarian, and Theresa Welch from information services outlined three major elements: Bookalicious hard-copy purchases, a Britannica School subscription and a New York Times district subscription.
Bookalicious: Presenters described a $170,000 allocation for print book purchases (hard copies) to serve high schools, special populations and the residential center. The package was described as broken down across Central High School, Bassick High School, Harding, Fairchild Wheeler, Bridgeport Military Academy, the Bridgeport Learning Center and the Bridgeport Residential Center; presenters said the residential center population (approx. 33 students) spans grades 5to 12 and requires state consultation for allowable content. Presenters emphasized that the Bookalicious funds are hard-copy purchases and separate from online subscriptions.
Britannica School: Presenters said Britannica School would be a districtwide digital subscription integrated with the district portal; they described accessibility features (reading-level switching, translations, dyslexia font, citations and educator supports) and included five-and-a-half hours of annual professional development. The presenters stated the Britannica package cost is $175,750 and described it as a five-year contract including professional development.
New York Times: Presenters recommended district access for students ages 13 and up. The presenter gave a subscription total of $25,989.60 and described multiyear access and off-site (home) availability through the student portal. (The transcript alternately referenced a five-year term in one explanation and a nine-year reference elsewhere in the presentation materials; presenters described the NYT subscription as multiyear during the meeting.)
Committee action: A motion to approve and send the library refresh purchases and subscriptions to the full board passed on a voice vote. Committee members asked about inclusion of special-population students in the residential center allocation and whether funds must be used only for the grant's stated library purposes; presenters confirmed the funds are federally restricted to library materials and described plans to consult state guidelines for the residential center.
What comes next: Staff will finalize vendor contracts and bring the package to the full board for action. The district also plans professional development and guidance to help teachers and librarians integrate the resources.
