Jackson County Public Schools students have access to the N.C. Cardinal Student Access Initiative once again after the county withdrew from the program last year following concerns over its compliance with the Parents’ Bill of Rights.
“As a former school librarian, I was thrilled when the possibility of this coming back came up,” said Jackson County Public Library Director Grace Powell. “It’s such a valuable resource for our kids, and I’m glad we’ve found a way to offer it again.”
Since 2017, JCPS and the Fontana Regional Library System have partnered for the Student Access Initiative, which automatically adds all students and teachers to the patron database for participating libraries. Until last year, JCPS students could use their student ID number to check out physical library books, eBooks and use JCPL databases.
School administrators let the county’s participation with the program lapse for the 2025-26 school year.