The Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) and Boulder Public Library (BPL) have a long history of partnering to connect people and information, and creating engaging learning opportunities so all students are prepared for successful, civically engaged lives. BVSD and BPL are expanding their partnership to boost student research and information literacy skills via the Student 1 program.

Student 1 will allow students attending schools within BPL service area to easily access BPL’s 35 plus K-12 online research databases ( via their student ID. Beginning in May 6, Fairview HS will participate in a pilot of Student 1. Every student at Fairview HS school will be automatically be enrolled in Student 1 and be able to easily access BPL's research databases with their student ID. Students and parents have the option to opt out but I am delighted to say that we have not received a single opt out as we head into the pilot.

Pilot Objectives:

• Automate the process of data sharing between BVSD and BPL that will allow student to access databases with student IDs
• Conduct random testing of student access to BPL databases - put access to the test
• Test BPL Student 1 portal, a specific website created by BPL to direct students to grade level appropriate databases

The long term goal is to develop partnerships with public libraries serving Broomfield, Lafayette, Louisville, and Erie. In fact, the Front Range Library Consortium (FRLC) has already approached us about extending Student 1 to BVSD schools in their service area. However, both BVSD and FRLC want to complete the Fairview pilot and fall roll out of BPL access first --proof of concept.

This partnership has been in the works for nearly two years. The idea was presented to Library Services by Maura Rhodes, TL at Fairview HS. Maura sent us a link to the Henderson County Schools and their public library partnership website. Since then we have been working with BPL Directors and Managers, BVSD IT/Apps team, and a number of lawyers on both sides to scope this partnership including ensuring student data privacy and effectiveness measurements. Delighted that we have been able to take Maura's suggestion and move it along to a pilot phase--thanks Maura!

To learn more about this important community partnership and review FAQs click HERE.