The Virtual Library Card Program

The Virtual Library Card Program is presented by the Suburban Library Cooperative and is designed to encourage collaboration among schools and libraries to bridge the digital divide by providing access to digital resources for all students. A physical card is not needed as accounts are created within the libraries’ automation system which allows students to access their home libraries’ digital resources simply by using a code with their student ID and PIN.

Convenient Virtual Access

The Virtual Library Card program began in 2015 and started as the ConnectED Library Challenge. It was designed to encourage collaboration among schools and libraries to bridge the digital divide by providing access to digital resources for all students.

The Clinton-Macomb Public Library began the project by working with the Chippewa Valley School District to create virtual library cards for all of the students to access the library’s digital resources. The Clinton-Macomb Public Library wanted to expand the program, but found that many school districts covered two or more library service areas. That is when the Suburban Library Cooperative became involved in working with the various public libraries in Macomb County, Troy and Harper Woods to expand the program and coordinate meetings with local school districts.

The Suburban Library Cooperative and its member libraries all have to follow the Michigan Library Privacy Act. No information is ever shared regarding usage of the library’s resources or student access credentials.

As of 2021, the program now covers over 80% of the Suburban Library Cooperative’s service area. Our goal is to have all schools/districts participate.

Participating Schools & Districts

If you represent a school/district that is currently not participating in the program, you can contact your local public library or contact the Suburban Library Cooperative to get the process started.

If you are a student or parent that attends school in a school/district that is currently not participating in the program, please contact your school/district and provide them with the information on our website so that they can contact us about participation.