Charla Russell, spokeswoman for Yorkville District 115, provided the following news release and sidebar:

The Learning Centers at Yorkville Middle School and Yorkville High School have made reading as easy as the click of a button. 

OverDrive, an e-book lending program utilized by a growing number of public libraries, is now available to students at the Yorkville Middle School and Yorkville High School, and is slated to expand to the other District 115 schools before the end of the school year.

According to Wamecca Rodriquez, library media specialist at Yorkville Middle School and the Yorkville Academy, the OverDrive program has been instituted in several public libraries in the region, and school officials felt that offering it to Yorkville students was a great advantage.

“We are really excited to bring this program to our students because so many are already utilizing technology for reading,” said Rodriquez.  “This allows our students to access learning center books from home or anywhere 24 hours a day, and they can choose to keep the e-book for seven, 14 or 21 days,” said Rodriquez.

The process begins when students download the “app” to their smart phone, tablet, iPad or other device.  Rodriquez provides tutorials on how to manage and utilize the program and how to take full advantage of this capability to enhance school work as well as reading for pleasure.

“Students use their own student ID to check out books through each school’s website,” said Rodriquez.  “It is easy and efficient, and will take literature and reading to a whole different level,” she said.

Expanding this program is another high priority, according to Tim Shimp, associate superintendent.

“Through the use of Title 1 funds, we are looking to expand this online access to Bristol Bay and Autumn Creek elementary schools this year,” said Shimp.  “In addition we are going to acquire between 60-70 e-readers and begin a pilot program that would allow these students to download books at school and take them home to read. Eventually, we want to reach all grade levels,” he said.

“The focus on literacy and reading at an early age is inline with the District’s efforts to increase literacy and expand the use of technology as a learning tool,” said Shimp.

Scott Wakeley, superintendent of schools, said, “In Yorkville 115, we are always looking at the most innovative methods for helping our students become lifelong learners.  Programs like OverDrive help us meet that goal."
 

Internet Sidebar

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