Wheeler County Schools Partner With Library For PLAY Student Library Card Program

The Wheeler County School System announced on Dec. 10 it had opted into the PINES Library Access for Youth (PLAY) program offered by Georgia libraries, allowing students access to library materials remotely and without charge.

“We love that the PLAY card can help build a love of reading for kids across Georgia,” said the Georgia Public Library Services’ PINES Director Elizabeth McKinney in a press release. “The PLAY card is one way to make it easier for kids to access library materials, for them to be able to discover and learn year-round.”

With a PLAY card, accessed via a student ID or lunch number, students can access library materials similar to if they had a standard library card with the addition of access to “over 11 million materials” from other Georgia libraries, according to PINES. They also gain access to a number of online resources, such as ebooks, audiobooks, live tutoring, research databases and SAT preparation.

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“You just don’t have to have that physical card, and it just removes the barrier for transportation or whatever other issues there might be, and if you need to return a book, you could return it to your school, and we would get it,” said Delilah Carr, a public services librarian for the Ocmulgee Regional Library System.

PLAY cards also grant students access to physical library amenities, including computers and WiFi, when visiting a physical PINES affiliated location such as the Wheeler County Public Library. Students will also be able to participate in certain library-led events, such as a pop-up library.

Students can borrow up to five items at a time through the program with a loan period of 14 days, along with two renewals on the loan and two active holds on library items. Borrowed items also incur no overdue fees; students will only be charged for damaged or lost items.

Fees incurred previously through a standard library card will also not affect a student’s borrowing abilities through the program, as PLAY cards are considered separate from standard library cards.

“This is sort of, like, in place of a PINES card, but it works just the same,” said Carr.

Wheeler County students in all grade levels are automatically enrolled in the program, though parents can opt students out of the program if they desire. PLAY cards will also remain active for one year after a student’s graduation, after which they must apply for a standard library card.