An Educator Card allows easy access to Library materials for educators to use in their classrooms. This card is available to anyone who teaches or works with students in a Pre-K-12 school, licensed childcare center, or homeschool setting. Educator special borrowing privileges include

• Borrowing a total of 150 items, with existing item limits (30 DVDs & Blu-Rays, 2 book sets, 3 STEM kits).
• Extended loan periods of 6 weeks with no renewals.

To sign up for an Educator Card, visit any of our 19 Library locations and bring items one through three.

1. A current photo ID
2. Proof of current address (if address on ID is not current)
3. Proof of educator status – one of the following will serve as proof.
   • Current school ID
   • Recent pay stub
   • Recent letter from principal on school letterhead
   • Current district homeschool verification letter
   • Current documentation from the OCCRRA Ohio Professional Registry

Library staff will require proof of educator status annually, beginning in September, in order to verity continued eligibility for an Educator Card.

Educator Cards may not be used to borrow Library items for personal use.

Long overdue items will be billed to the educator. The type of material borrowed determines when items become long overdue. Educator cards will be blocked when total value of billed items reaches $150. The educator will be responsible for paying to replace all billed items.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on October 26, 2023.

Talking Book Program

The National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress, administers a free national library program that provides Braille and recorded materials to people who cannot see regular print or handle print materials.

We provide applications through the NLS for the Blind and Print Disabled Talking Book program. Applications will be available and accepted by our staff in the TechZone.

BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download)

• Talking Book provides access to more than 100,000 audiobooks, magazines, and music scores.

• Access via desktop computers, iOS, or Android devices. The iOS and Android mobile apps, known as BARD Mobile, include built-in playback capability to enjoy talking books anytime.

• Books downloaded to desktop computers will need to be transferred to flash memory cartridges that can be played on NLS-authorized talking-book players. NLS will provide this playback equipment if required.

Who is eligible for the talking book program?

Any resident of the United States or American citizen living abroad who cannot read or use traditional print materials due to temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations.

Additional Services

Braille Collection: a combination of existing braille books from our collection and donations. Available for check out at the Accessibility Zone.

Large Print Keyboards: larger keys make it easier to distinguish the different keys.

Magnisight CCTV:  tabletop magnifying aid to help read papers, books, pictures, and other visuals more easily by magnifying onto a large monitor.

This website is owned by the Akron-Summit County Public Library and maintained by Library staff. The site's purpose is to provide information to the public regarding Library services, resources, and events.

While the information contained within the website is updated periodically, no guarantee is given that the information provided on the website is correct, complete, and up-to-date.

Except as otherwise specified in this policy, collected information is considered confidential between customers and the Library, including materials consulted, borrowed, acquired, and database search records, circulation records, interlibrary loan records, and other personally identifiable information about uses of library materials, facilities, or services. Please see the Library Records & Patron Information Policy for additional information.

Information Collection And Use

The Akron-Summit County Public Library collects data to measure usefulness of the information contained on its website, as well as its mobile apps, and the Library is the sole owner of that information. This information does not identify customers personally. The Library stores only the following information about visits:

• IP Address
• Browser Information, including Browser Name and Version
• Device Information, including type of Operating System and Screen Resolution
• Demographics, including Service Area and Audience Segment *
• Interests, including Physical Material Types and Subject Headings *
• Search Terms, including Titles and Keywords referred to partnered online catalog providers *

* This applies specifically to the Library’s general website, online catalog, New & Notable, and Book Lists sections of the website.

The Library uses this information to make the website more useful to visitors and to learn about the number of visitors to the website and the types of technology visitors use. Visitor information described above is anonymized and aggregated, meaning that it cannot be connected to an individual.

Emails and web forms may request data connected to your personal information or identity and may also be shared or subject to retention by third-party services only to the extent necessary to provide the requested service.

Cookies

A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user's hard drive containing information about the user. Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information while on the Library’s website.

Links

This website contains links to other sites. Please be aware that the Akron-Summit County Public Library is not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites. The Library encourages customers to be knowledgeable about the privacy statements of any website that collects personally identifiable information.

Emails & Web Forms

Personally identifying information that customers provide by emails or web forms will be used only for such purposes as are described at the point of collection (for example, on a contact form), such as to send information or provide library services, to update patron records, or to respond to questions or comments.

Online Library card applications are shared with one or more third-party automated identity verification services over a secure connection and may additionally be retained by the Library to measure and improve the efficacy of associated fraud prevention systems in use by the Library.

If a customer provides contact information, the Library may contact the customer to clarify a comment or question, or to learn about the level of customer satisfaction with Library services.

Revisions To Privacy Policy

The Library reserves the right to change or modify this policy at any time. If the Library revises this policy, the amended version will be posted on the Library’s website.

Disclaimer

All users of the website agree to hold the Akron-Summit County Public Library harmless from all claims, losses, damages, obligations, or liabilities, directly or indirectly relating to the website and/or the networked information available via the website, caused thereby or arising therefrom. In no event shall the Akron-Summit County Public Library have any liability for lost profits or for indirect, special, punitive, or consequential damages or any liability to any third party, even if the Akron-Summit County Public Library is advised of the possibility of such damages.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on April 27, 2023.