Kansas Library Card opens treasury of free online databases
By CATHLEEN FISH
Director, Hillsboro Public Library
What on earth is a Kansas Library Card? How is it different from a regular Hillsboro Public Library card?
Glad you asked!
The Kansas Library Card is your entry to free Internet library resources, including high quality information and research databases. It is the perfect solution to anyone needing information whether for school or personal enrichment.
The card provides access to the following online databases:
Custom Newspapers, FirstSearch, Heritage Quest, Infotrac, Literature Resource Center, NetLibrary e-Books, OverDrive audio books and music, Proquest Nursing Journals, SIRS Discoverer Deluxe (for grades K-12), and WorldBook.
The card is free and available to any Kansas resident. There is no age limit, however Hillsboro Public Library requires that an adult accompany a young person or student without a photo ID.
The card does not allow the checkout of library materials, because it is a tool to access online information only.
If you apply in person at your local library or school, staff will enter your name and birth date into the Kansas Library Card database. You will then receive a card with a PIN number and expiration date. Your PIN number is needed to access the databases.
The state card provides access for one year. To renew your card, simply renew online, or visit your local library before the card expires.
You may also apply online for a 30-day account. You will have 30 days to validate your account in person at the local library.
The Kansas Library Card will work with any computer with Internet access and a web browser set to accept cookies. Your name, date of birth, and Kansas Library Card PIN are the only personal information kept on the Kansas Library Card computer.
Are you worried that the information you access will be monitored and recorded?
According to the state, activity data incurred by use of the Kansas Library Card is collected, but only to determine the usefulness of the card. Personal information will be kept confidential to the extent of the law.
We will explain the individual databases in the next few weeks. We encourage you to take advantage of this valuable, free resource.
