District 58 Students Get Access To Downers Grove Library Cards

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — A new partnership between Grade School District 58 and the Downers Grove Public Library (DGPL) will make sure every student in the district can get a library card. Through the program, there will be no library card fee for the hundreds of students who live outside the library's area of service.

"I am so glad that this partnership can further our already strong partnership with District 58. Thousands of children will receive their very own library card, which will give them access to all of the amazing physical and digital resources the library offers," Allyson Renell, the children's services manager at DGPL, said in a statement.

She added, "In addition, teachers will be able to use these resources in their classrooms to supplement and enhance their lessons."

Students must have a parent or guardian's permission to sign up for a library card.

"Access to libraries, books and research is essential for all children, and this helps level the playing field for those who don’t have access to a library or library card," said District 58 Assistant Superintendent for Technology and Learning James Eichmiller.

The first library cards supported by this intergovernmental agreement will be available to students in the 2024-25 school year.