StudentAccess

Polk County Public Libraries and Polk County Schools have partnered together to make accessing library materials and digital resources even easier than before with StudentAccess!

StudentAccess library accounts are free and automatically created for all Polk County Schools students and teachers each school year and updated each semester. With StudentAccess, students may check out a combination of 10 books or audiobooks at a time from any Polk County Public Libraries location, plus access e-books and e-audiobooks through the North Carolina Digital Library, NC Kids Digital Library (pre-K-4th Grade), NC Kids Level Up Digital Library (4th-8th Grade), and dozens of other digital resources. Most items will check-out for a total of four weeks. Overdue fines will not be charged for StudentAccess accounts. The student/parent will be responsible only for lost or damaged items.

  • What do you need to do to get a StudentAccess student library account? – Nothing. All PCS students automatically have electronic library cards through their student ID numbers.
  • How does this affect my regular Polk County Public Libraries card? – It doesn’t! All students and teachers with existing PCPL cards will keep those cards and use them as they normally would. The two accounts are not connected and in no way affect one another.
  • What’s the barcode number and PIN for my student ID account? – Use your student ID number for the barcode and the last four digits of the student ID number as your PIN.
  • Are there any limitations on StudentAccess accounts? – StudentAccess accounts can be used to request items within the Polk County Public Libraries system only. Students who wish to use the NC Cardinal consortium or check out items other than books and audiobooks should register for a regular PCPL account.
  • How do I log in to online resources? – To access online resources users are required to enter their student ID or library card number.
  • Do students have access to their accounts online to renew, etc.? – Yes. Students can log in via the Polk County Public Libraries website with their student ID number and pin (last 4 digits of the ID number) to view the items checked out on their account, as well as to renew or request items.
  • Can students opt out of the program? – Yes. A parent or guardian simply needs to complete an opt-out form and return it to their school. Forms are available at their school.

Search the ONLINE CATALOG.

With a StudentAccess account, you may request books and audiobooks owned by the Polk County Public Libraries for pickup at the Columbus or Saluda Library.

NC KIDS DIGITAL LIBRARY – Ebooks, audiobooks, and Read-Alongs collection designed for pre-K – 4th grade, including Spanish titles. Many titles have unlimited simultaneous access, ideal for classroom use. Use on a tablet or smartphone with the free Libby app.

NC KIDS LEVEL UP DIGITAL LIBRARY – Ebooks and audiobooks collection designed for 4th-8th grade, including Spanish titles. Many titles have unlimited simultaneous access, ideal for classroom use. Use on a tablet or smartphone with the free Libby app.

NORTH CAROLINA DIGITAL LIBRARY – Wide selection of eBooks and audiobooks for readers of all ages. Includes current bestsellers and perennial favorites. Use on a tablet or smartphone with the free Libby app.

VIDEOS FROM NC LIVE – Several video sources, including Films on Demand and the NC LIVE video collection. Most licensed for classroom screenings.

NC LIVE is a huge collection of electronic resources and databases covering a wide array of research and personal interst topics. Similar to NCWiseOwl, but broader and deeper in scope. Search many databases with a single inquiry at nclive.org, or explore them individually.

BIOGRAPHY REFERENCE CENTER – A comprehensive collection of full-text biographies on popular and heavily-researched figures. Users can locate biographies of interest by browsing key categories, including occupation, nationality, publication, and more than 30 genre categories including actors, artists, athletes, authors, current world leaders, explorers, scientists, and many others.

CQ RESEARCHER – Reports on issues shaping our world, with in-depth coverage of political and social issues, such as health, education, the environment, technology, and the U.S. economy.

CREDO REFERENCE – A premier virtual reference collection including encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, images, audio files, and videos in a wide expanse of subject areas.

ELIBRARY – This easy-to-use curriculum and reference resource delivers one of the largest general reference collections of periodical and digital media content designed specifically for schools and libraries of all kinds, as well as additional subject-based material.

GALE LITERARY SOURCES – Combines Literature Resource Center with Gale Virtual Reference Library in one interface. Articles, critical essays, work and topic overviews, full-text works, and biographies covering authors, their works, and literary movements.

HISTORY STUDY CENTER – A collection of primary and secondary sources on global history from ancient times to the present day.

LITERATURE RESOURCE CENTER – Articles, critical essays, work and topic overviews, full-text works, and biographies covering authors, their works, and literary movements.

NCPEDIA – Information about the state, its history, people, government, and educational institutions.

PROQUEST CENTRAL – General reference database for over 175 subjects from magazines, journals, and newspapers, including peer-reviewed and scholarly works.

PROQUEST LEARNING: LITERATURE – Full-text works of poetry, prose, and drama, and secondary sources such as author biographies, literary criticisms, essays, reviews, and interviews. Designed with schools and public libraries in mind.

RESEARCH COMPANION – An award-winning, cloud-based information literacy solution that enables educators and librarians to guide students through research projects efficiently.

SCIENCE IN CONTEXT – Reference content plus magazines, journals, news sources, experiments, and more. Covering earth science, life science, space, technology, mathematics, science history, and biography.

SIRS DISCOVERER – Designed specifically for elementary and middle school students, SIRS Discoverer offers articles, nonfiction books, images, activities, and websites curated for educational relevance, age appropriateness, and readability.

SIRS GOVERNMENT REPORTER – Full-text current and historic government documents; landmark and recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions; information about federal departments, agencies, elected leaders, and more.

SIRS ISSUES RESEARCHER – Research the pros and cons of current issues and enduring social issues through full-text articles, multimedia, primary sources, government documents, and reference materials.

SIRS RENAISSANCE – Full-text articles on arts and humanities subjects in the areas of Architecture & Design, Culture, Literature, Multimedia, Music, Performing Arts, Philosophy & Religion, and Visual Arts.

TESTING & EDUCATION REFERENCE CENTER – A testing and education preparation resource that includes in-depth information on college, graduate, and professional programs, professional training, scholarships, and entrance tests alongside practice tests for entrance exams, certifications, and licensing exams.

US NEWSSTREAM – News content from many national and international newspapers, newswires, and selected news magazines.

Transparent Languages – Be empowered to explore a new language at the library, at home, or on the go using any Internet-connected device. Available in 110+ languages, including ESL, you’ll have the flexibility to learn a new language anytime, anywhere.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION DATABASE – Vocational information on technical topics, such as computing science, healthcare, building trades, auto mechanics, sales and retail, accounting, graphic design, and photography.

CYPRESS RESUME – The simplest, most effective tool for resume creation on the market today. Specifically designed for job seekers skittish about writing, Cypress Resume allows anyone to create a professional resume in a matter of minutes.

FERGUSON’S CAREER GUIDANCE CENTER – A comprehensive resource that enables users to explore industries and careers, plan their education, and research best practices for résumés, cover letters, interviewing, networking, and salaries/benefits. The database includes articles, career advice blogs, and streaming video.

OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK – Profiles for hundreds of occupations including sections like What They Do, Work Environment, How to Become One, Pay, and more. Each profile also includes Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections for the 2010–20 decade.

TESTING & EDUCATION REFERENCE CENTER – A testing and education preparation resource that includes in-depth information on college, graduate, and professional programs, professional training, scholarships, and entrance tests alongside practice tests for entrance exams, certifications, and licensing exams.

In addition to library materials, Polk County Public Libraries offer the following for you and your students:

  • Storytimes: We can lead storytimes at your school or at either of our libraries.
  • Field trips: Bring your class to explore and learn about the library; do curriculum-related activities.
  • Class visits: We can collaborate on activities related to what your students are learning. Our preference is hands-on and fun!
  • Resource trainings: Need help navigating our resources? We’ll teach groups of students or educators.
  • Other new and creative possibilities! Share your ideas with us.

To arrange any of these, please contact Jen Pace Dickenson, Youth Services Librarian, with at least two weeks of advance notice.
jdickenson@polklibrary.org / 828 894-8721 x284