Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke presented Hardy Elementary School kindergarteners with their first Chattanooga Public Library cards.
On Friday, Mayor Berke visited Hardy Elementary School and had a read-along with students to promote the HCDE Library card program along with The Chattanooga Public Library.
This initiative comes in partnership with the Chattanooga Public Library and Hamilton County Schools in an effort to provide every student in the Hamilton County School system with a free library card. Students will work with their school library to receive their library card, which can be renewed every year as part of the program. Since the program began in 2014, more than 36,000 students have received a library card.
“We are excited to be partnering once again with Hamilton County Schools to be able to provide students with free library cards,” said Corinne Hill, Chattanooga Public Library Executive Director. “Our goal is to make sure every public school student has a library card and give them access to the tools we offer for lifelong learning.”
With their library cards, students have access to all four library branches throughout the city and the over 275,000 items in the library’s collection. They can also explore their creative minds and take advantage of the Downtown Branch’s Studio, a place with state of the art studio equipment and the 4th floor “Maker Space,” a floor that gives access to the myriad of hi-tech tools the library has to offer, anything from a 3D printing machine to virtual reality equipment. The Downtown Branch also offers a whole floor dedicated solely for kids, tweens, and teens with various programs and events throughout the year.
To view a schedule of events, learn more about the services the library offers, and learn how to apply for your own library card, please visit www.chattlibrary.org.