BC Public Library and BC Schools set to partner for PLAY Card

Brooks County—On January 10, 2023 the Brooks County Board of Education held their monthly Board meeting. This was the 1st Board meeting of the New Year 2023 and the midway point for the current 22-23 school year. 

During this meeting, Beth Lee, Brooks County Schools’ Professional Learning Coordinator, announced the partnership between Brooks County Schools and Brooks County Public Library on the new Georgia Public Library Service PLAY card. 

Brooks County Public Library Director, Scott Routsong, explained to the Board of Education the impact that this will have on the students and the way it works for the students. “This is a program that is recommended by the State and has been pushed to all Pine Library software libraries in Georgia,” said Scott. 

Scott continued to explain that the program works through their Pines software. If a parent has a card or would like to get one, then the library can issue a connected PLAY card to their children. That PLAY card would allow the students to access the system and check out digital books to download on their computers or phones, as well as give them access to check out books at the library. He also, informed the board that this card can be used at any public library in Georgia that uses Pines software, and all public libraries do in this state. However, it could not be used at the University libraries.

Georgialibraries.org explains it as, “Georgia Public Library Service will launch the PLAY card for all interested school systems in PINES counties over the next few years. PINES, which is part of Georgia Public Library Service, serves patrons in all 159 Georgia counties. Those with a PINES card have access to a shared collection of more than 11 million materials that can be delivered to their home libraries free of charge. Many students in the nine non-PINES library systems have access to student cards organized through their local libraries.

Each PLAY library account is created using a unique school number as a student’s library access number. With a memorandum of understanding between the school and the library in place, the school shares limited directory information for each student with the library. Parents have the ability to opt their student out of the program at any time.”

Lee stated that this program will only benefit the students in obtaining more reading resources to enhance their academic reading. It helps break down the barriers many of the students may face. For example, students may not have access to the library but with the PLAY card they are able to use the school’s resources digitally. 

Brooks County Public Library is open for everyone but has many materials and resources for all students at Brooks County Schools. “This is another way for us to enhance the learning of the students at Brooks County Schools,” said Scott. 

For more information on this program, you can follow up any questions with your students’ teacher or contact the Brooks County Library at 229-263-8002. 

Students and coaches were recognized for doing a superb job on the field in various sports including middle school football and basketball. Congratulations to those athletes.

Further business included the announcement of those teachers who filled out for the mini grant earlier this year. Those teachers who won were announced and their plans for that mini-grant money were also announced. 

Budgets were given to each of the board members in reference to the sixth month lunch budget, Splot monies, general fund and federal funds. Everything was under budget except for the food budget which was a little over 50 percent at the time.

Positions were also approved for the Bus area and for the Certified Teaching position, the JRV, parent bill of rights, was approved, agenda approved, tree cutting between airport and board was approved, and future meeting times were approved. 

Mr. Williams updated the Board on the progress of various construction with the school buildings. He reported many of the issues are underway to become fixed and projects are beginning to start back up. 

You can find the video on Facebook at this link: https://www.facebook.com/BrooksCountySchools/videos/559760939362487