Dos Pueblos High Students Receive Library Cards

Source: City of Goleta

The Goleta Valley Library is one big step closer to achieving its goal of having library cards in the hands of every student in the Goleta Valley. More than two thousand Goleta Valley Library cards were delivered to Dos Pueblos High School on December 10th and are being distributed to the students.

Heather Magner, the DPHS librarian said this is a dream come true.  She said. “While our DPHS library has much to offer, the wealth of resources available to them with a Goleta Valley library card is a game changer, particularly their huge offerings of ebooks and quality audiobooks. The newest program, Brainfuse, which offers online tutoring after library hours, is equally exciting! With our 1-1 iPad program and the library card, now everyone has access to a plethora of amazing materials and support. I deeply appreciate the hard work the Goleta Valley Public librarians put in to make this happen. Thank you!”

The first two classrooms to receive the Goleta Valley Library cards cheered when they were presented. Mason Miller, a 9th grader said, “I am very excited to have received my brand-new library card and can’t wait to use it. By utilizing the Goleta Library Card, I can go to the library, find a book I like, and check it out. The card makes this process super quick, all you have to do is scan your card, and the book you want is now in your possession.”  

Christopher Pagliaro, also a 9th grader, agreed and said, “I’m very excited to use my new Goleta Public Library card. This library card allows me to gain access to hundreds of different books and  checking out books is now a whole lot easier. I think that now that I have received this new library card I will be reading a lot more.” 

DPHS English Teacher, Cate Nelson, said, “I am so thrilled that these students will get the same opportunity I had when I was younger; to enter the library and realize they have free access to an entire world.”

Goleta Valley Library Director Allison Gray said, “High School can be an overwhelming time of life.  We are thrilled that the library cards will allow these students access to resources and services, both in the library and on our website, that will be incredibly helpful and beneficial to their academic success.”

There are many reasons the library cards are especially useful for High School students. The cards allow students free full-text access to the New York Times to help with homework via the Goleta Valley Library website (www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org). The library cards also allow students access to Hoopla, a great site for downloading free e-books, e-audiobooks, comic books, movies, TV shows, and music. Hoopla is so popular with students that the Goleta Valley Library has budgeted additional funds anticipating significant increased use. Goleta Valley Library also offers personalized reading lists to patrons with library cards. Now students interested in new books to read can simply complete a form on the Goleta Valley Library website and have a customized list sent to them.

The student library card effort was made possible thanks to a Student Success Initiative Grant the Goleta Valley Library received. The goal of the grant is to ensure that all school-aged child in the Goleta Valley Library service area have a library card. Thus far, students at Goleta Valley Junior High, El Camino Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, Brandon Elementary, and Coastline Christian Academy have received library cards.  Ellwood Elementary is the next school slated to receive library cards; distribution is planned for January 2020.

The City of Goleta manages the Goleta Valley Library and four libraries in the Santa Ynez Valley, serving approximately 116,000 residents. Learn more about the programs and services available at all five libraries at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org. Follow the Library on Facebook (@GoletaValley Library)and Instagram (goletavalleylibrary) for the latest news. Sign up here to receive the monthly Library e-newsletter The Reading Corner.