More than 1,100 library cards were distributed to students in Community Consolidated School Dist. 21 thanks to a partnership between the school district and Indian Trails Public Library.
The initiative began as a pilot program during the 2024-2025 school year at three schools and a full program rollout followed across the district’s nine schools in 2025. The library district anticipated interest in the program; however, it had not anticipated the overwhelming number of applications it received. The result showed robust demand from families to sign up for the library cards.
While most cards are linked to the Indian Trails Public Library, many are connected to partner libraries, such as Arlington Heights Memorial Library and the Mount Prospect and Prospect Heights public libraries, because some district residents live within a different library district.
Library cards can be used reciprocally in any of these libraries, so students and their families are encouraged to explore their home library as well as other libraries throughout the area.
“It was humbling thinking about all the people in our community that this project could impact,” said Ryann Uden, deputy director of Indian Trails. “It opens an entire world up to them.”
Uden added that collaboration with neighboring libraries was key, noting that representatives from those libraries were open to making this project successful for the community as a whole.
Sarah Heimsoth, Youth Services manager, said, “Indian Trails Library cardholders can borrow more than 1 million unique items through the library consortium, access thousands of eBooks and digital audiobooks, and use more than 50 databases from home to support their learning journey. Additionally, it allows them to place holds across 32 consortium libraries, giving them access far beyond the Indian Trails collection.”
“This collaboration ensures our students can explore, read and learn in ways that spark curiosity,” said Amy Breiler, director of Literacy for Dist. 21.
The library cards were distributed to students the week before Thanksgiving break.
This article was published in the Journal & Topics Media Group by Community News Desk.