Bellevue School District students will soon have increased access to King County Library System resources through a new partnership through that will give students special library accounts and access to library materials that they are currently lacking.

“We’re truly looking forward to this ongoing collaboration between the King County Library System and the Bellevue School District as both organizations are committed to providing resources and services that help our students succeed,” the school district said in a press release.

On Oct. 12, KCLS will launch the system to each student in Kindergarten through 12th grade. 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. Since students will only be able to access electronic materials it won’t be necessary for students to track due dates, so students will not accrue fines or fees, according to KCLS Project Manager Jennifer Wiseman.

“If they already have a traditional library card, this is just an additional resource,” said Wiseman. “We’re hoping this will really break the access barrier.”

The account numbers will include each student’s school identification number and the school district number (405), making it easier for students to remember.

The program was created by Research Technology Specialist Aron Early to supplement the district’s library resources and make it easier for teachers to use outside resources. The Bellevue School District, like many others in the area, has eliminated many of its librarians over the years.

Early and Wiseman began working on the partnership a year ago.

Over the last four months, they have tackled challenges around access. Two communities in Bellevue – Hunts Point and Yarrow Point – aren’t considered within KCLS’s borders, so those students currently do not have access to any KCLS resources, but will through this partnership.

Parents throughout the district also had to opt their students into the program to participate. At this point, 1,200 students have yet to be approved by their parents to use the system, but KCLS will be providing “classroom cards” for teachers to use library resources in the classroom, regardless of each student’s approval status.

Though the program has yet to launch, KCLS hopes to expand it to other districts, and has been approached by some, according to Wiseman.

More information can be found at www.kcls.org/students.