Sign Up for the Library Challenge

The ConnectED Library Challenge is a way for communities throughout the country to create or strengthen partnerships so that every child enrolled in school can receive a library card and have access to the books and learning resources of America’s public libraries. The initiative calls upon library directors to work with their mayors or county executives, school leaders, and school librarians.

In addition to partnerships that improve library card access, participating libraries also commit to:

  • Support student learning through programming that develops language, reading, and critical thinking
  • Provide digital resources, such as eBooks and online collections of traditional media
  • Provide broadband connectivity and wireless access within library facilities

Communities across the country have committed to the ConnectED Library Challenge.

The ConnectED Library Challenge is part of the ConnectED initiative and was developed with IMLS direction and support. President Obama announced the initiative, together with the IMLS-supported Open eBooks initiative, in spring 2015, at the Anacostia Branch of the District of Columbia Public Library. In January 2016, the White House hosted a ConnectED Library Challenge convening. With local elected leaders, school superintendents, and library officials from roughly 50 communities, the meeting was both a strategy session and celebration of the communities that had accepted the President’s challenge. The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) and American Library Association (ALA) contributed to January event.

ConnectED Library Challenge Event - Kathryn Matthew IMLS ConnectED Library Challenge Event Panel ConnectED Library Challenge Event Discussion
 
 

Learn More:

June 25, 2015 White House Fact Sheet: ConnectED: Two Years of Delivering Opportunity to K-12 Schools & Libraries

April 30, 2015 White House Fact Sheet: Spreading the Joy of Reading to More Children and Young Adults

April 30, 2015 White House Blog Post: ConnectED: Open Books and Open Doors

May 2, 2015 White House Weekly Address: Ensuring Every Child Gets a Great Education

May 1, 2015 White House Blog Post: From Sherlock Holmes to The War of the Worlds: 13 E-Books Students Can Read For Free

White House Fact Sheet: Spreading the Joy of Reading to More Children and Young Adults

Follow #BooksforAll on Twitter for updates.

archived