An existing strong partnership with KPS was the catalyst for this initiative. The primary challenge was to develop a plan that allowed KPL to easily ingest school records into our ILS. When that obstacle was cleared, KPL/KPS switched gears to promote the OneCard to staff, parents and students through bookmarks, personal visits, buttons and videos. The opportunity to strengthen Kalamazoo by ensuring all students have a fresh start with full access library card was a perfect way to start the school year.

KPL has been nurturing a relationship with KPS for years. It seemed obvious to both organizations that the OneCard program would benefit both students and our community. The library worked hand in hand with the schools to develop, promote and deliver library cards to thousands of students. All fines on existing accounts were waived. We extended the OneCard offer to KPS staff not in our service district. Library staff participated in special programs and library visits to distribute the OneCards.

KPL was able to grant cards to homeless and immigrant students without a permanent address. Students with blocked cards were given a second chance. Computer use at all locations has increased. Metro Transit in Kalamazoo now allows high school students with a OneCard free transportation on the city buses. We hope that by the beginning of the 2019/20 school year, we will see an increase in OneCard usage. The community has embraced the OneCard program!