Lake Washington School District and King County Library System increase access to online resources

Lake Washington School District (LWSD) and King County Library System (KCLS) have formed a partnership in an effort to increase student access to online resources. KCLS will be creating special library accounts in its system for all secondary LWSD students so they may seamlessly log in from school, home or from any computer or device. The special student accounts will:

• Be easy for students to remember. The account number will utilize each student’s school ID number preceded by the school district number (414).
• Give each student seamless access. Students will be able to use the array of databases, downloadable materials and online homework help services offered by KCLS without needing a physical card.
• Not accrue fines or fees. Since students will only be able to access electronic materials, it won’t be necessary for students to track due dates.

Students who already have a traditional KCLS library cards will continue to be able to use them to checkout materials from the public library and use in-library computers. This new arrangement will supplement the traditional library card and improve each student’s ability to access KCLS online research tools as part of his/her schoolwork.

Teachers throughout the District will be able to utilize the many resources available through KCLS to complement their curriculum and build students’ experience and expertise in utilizing library resources.

KCLS resources for middle school and high school students will provide access to teen and above resources within the KCLS collection. Students will be directed to content and age appropriate materials through a student portal link and a direct link to databases within the KCLS website will be set up at each school. The Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) applies to student use and access of KCLS digital resources. Student access to the KCLS online resources outside of the school day is the responsibility of the parent or guardian. As a public entity, KCLS resources are not filtered with the exception of social media websites.

LWSD will provide KCLS with student information for students in grades six through 12, based on the Directory Information Withhold information that each family completed at the start of the school year. If your child is currently listed as “No” to providing directory information publicly, your student’s information will not be released to KCLS. If your child is currently listed as “Yes” to providing this information publicly, your child’s information will be released to KCLS. Follow this process to change your current settings inside of Skyward Family Access. If you have any trouble completing the online process, please call or visit your school’s office for assistance. You can also email ftaccess@lwsd.org for assistance.