Free Library Cards Will Empower 45000 Newark Students, Teachers

NEWARK, NJ — An ambitious effort to empower every public school student and teacher in Newark with a free library card has kicked off in the Brick City.

In solidarity with Library Card Sign-Up Month, the Newark Public Library is partnering with local school district officials for the effort, which will potentially involve 45,000 new cards. The process is easy, according to organizers: students or teachers simply visit the library and provide their name and address.

As part of the program, all third graders in Newark’s public schools will take field trips to one of the Newark Public Library’s eight community branches.

Jeffrey Trzeciak, director of the Newark Public Library, said the “simple-yet-monumental” initiative will set Newark students up for future success, not just in school, but when they grow up as well.

“One of our goals is to inspire life-long learning, and once these students walk through our doors, they’ll find unlimited ways to do just that,” Trzeciak said. “They’ll question, they’ll explore and they’ll grow, all while achieving greater academic success.”

Newark School Superintendent Roger León offered praise for the effort.

“We all know the incredible importance of reading and writing as the foundation for educational success, and this joint endeavor will afford amazing opportunities for our students at the library,” León said.

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