Reading and Literacy Through eBooks and E-audiobooks, provide a shared goal to promote
DIGITAL LEARNING
IN THE COMMUNITY (For all ages!)
T
"... information is power, and it is demonstrating the importance of public libraries. I am hopeful our students will become lifelong users of these precious resources."
echnology has become increasingly valuable in supporting new generations of lifelong learners and readers, especially now with more families choosing remote and hybrid learning options. Through a partnership with Capital Region BOCES’ School Library System (SLS), Shenendehowa Central School District and Southern Adirondack Library System (SALS) have joined an innovative new program to increase access to resources for student learning.
Shenendehowa is one of several area school districts that partner with Capital Region BOCES SLS to connect with their public library systems via a new program called Public Library Connection (PLC). This program increases access to digital ebooks and audiobooks by the thousands, and also removes potential barriers that may prevent people from visiting public libraries, such as library fees, transportation challenges, limited hours of operation, or identification requirements. With the PLC in place, Shenendehowa students may browse and borrow from the Capital Region BOCES SLS’s digital library through the Sora app, and can also access SALS’ juvenile and young adult digital collections that are age or grade level appropriate. Because books in Sora are available anytime, anywhere - the digital library is “always open!” “It is beneficial for our students to be able to search both the school library and public library’s online holdings through Sora with one simple login,” said Susan Kirby-LeMon, Skano School Librarian. “By offering this feature, we’ve magically increased our collection to support all our learners! It will certainly help us foster their curiosity and love of reading. Additionally, information is power, and it is demonstrating the importance of public libraries. I am hopeful our students will become lifelong users of these precious resources.”
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Sora supports teachers by offering educationspecific tools such as title assignments, achievement badges, exportable notes, and reading progress tracking that encourages individualized learning. Additionally, Sora provides a reading experience that is customized to each unique user, with options to alter text size and style, including a Dyslexia-friendly font, high-contrast color options, and changeable reading speed for audiobooks. Jack Scott, SALS Technology and Youth Service Librarian, added, “We at SALS are excited to provide students with more access to reading opportunities. So read, think big, and Imagine Your Story!” The Sora app was named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2019 and is available for download through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store as well as Chromebooks that support the Google Play Store. It is also available for use in web browsers at soraapp.com on any computer. Members of Saratoga, Warren, Washington, and Hamilton county public libraries also can borrow and read SALS’ complete eBook and audiobook collection with a valid library card through the award-winning Libby app. The library’s tailored collection offers eBooks and e-audiobooks, including bestsellers and new releases. Readers of all ages can select from virtually every subject ranging from mystery, biographies, children’s books, history, business, science fiction and more! The Sora and Libby apps may be used on any major device or computer. The PLC reading apps were developed by OverDrive and OverDrive Education. To learn more, visit meet.soraapp.com and meet.libbyapp.com. For information about PLC, contact Annie Gersztoff, School Library System Director for Capital Region BOCES, at annesley.gersztoff@neric.org. To learn more, visit meet.soraapp.com and meet.libbyapp.com.
saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
