By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Pontiac District 429, which is PreK through eighth grades in Pontiac, is partnering with the Pontiac Public Library for special events that begin with having a library card.

Superintendent Brian Dukes explains what they are doing.

“We’re on the final stages of an agreement. We’ve been working with the Pontiac library. Kristin, the director, has just been outstanding to work with this year, as we put some things in play for next school year. Our agreement includes providing a library card for all students from first grade through eighth grade next year. Obviously pending parent permission. Parents would have to sign off that their child is allowed to have that library card. The goal is to get it in their hands and give then opportunities to visit the library during school hours from time to time, and after school hours and summer programs that will be offered, as always, through the library. Trying to increase the number of kids from our district over to the library and trying to really open that gateway between us and them,” Dukes explained.

There are several aspects of this partnership that benefit the students in multiple ways.

“Another really exciting part of this agreement is we’re going to enter a book exchange, where hopefully twice a month, we’ll have a new surplus of books coming in to each of the libraries in each of the buildings and some older books will go out, and teachers will be able to request books, students will be able to request books, so there will be a lot of interaction and student engagement with what books are coming in the library,” Dukes said.

Dukes was a guest on a recent Community Forum, where he explains more events happening at the district. That is available at WJEZ.com.