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Sunnyvale Library rolls out virtual student cards, marks National Library Week with outreach
Summary
Children and teen services staff described National Library Week events and confirmed a district partnership to issue virtual cards to grades 3–5, link cards to student IDs with opt‑out options and plan outreach and training for families and teachers.
Karina Huerta, newly promoted supervising librarian for Children and Teen Services, briefed the Board of Library Trustees on National Library Week activities and the library’s rollout of virtual student cards for grades 3–5 during the April 7 meeting.
Huerta said National Library Week runs April 6–12 and that the library’s schedule included puppet shows, special story times (including a mayor appearance), outreach at Lakewood Elementary and community booths. She described in‑branch interactive displays — an I‑Spy board for children and a teens’ feedback board — and multiple family‑oriented events planned through the week.
On the virtual card initiative, Huerta said the library is expanding a program that previously covered middle school students to include third through fifth grades. “This aims to improve literacy rates and educational act outcomes by providing access to information,” she said, describing a process in which the district supplies student IDs and the library issues linked virtual cards. Families will receive notices with an opt‑out option. Huerta said the library planned to upload student data by the end of the week so students could begin using the cards; the student ID serves as the barcode and the PIN is the student’s eight‑digit birth date.
Trustees asked about privacy and how long digital cards last. Huerta said virtual cards are limited to online resources and that families will be taught how to use the resources; when students leave the district, their virtual access is dropped from the district data but students may apply for regular physical library cards. Staff also said employees and teachers have staff/teacher cards, and the library is coordinating teacher and parent outreach including a district‑wide literacy night with presentations in English and Spanish.
Huerta noted the library will provide age‑appropriate guidance on the databases available to younger students and is compiling lists of recommended resources for educators and families. No formal board action was required on the virtual card rollout at the meeting.
The board also discussed National Library Week observances that fall during the week, including National Library Workers Day, National Library Outreach Day and Right to Read Day, and staff encouraged community participation and advocacy for library funding.
