Libraries Make Access Easier With App
GRAND PRAIRIE – The Grand Prairie ISD is working with the Grand Prairie Public Library System to make reading and literacy through eBooks and E-audiobooks a student’s tool for success.
Andi Barnett, Public Relations Specialist, Marketing & Communications, City of Grand Prairie said, “With the increased importance and usage of digital books during this time this is a great story to tell.”
Indeed, with the onslaught of the mobile age and the strong importance of finding educational solutions during COVID-19, Grand Prairie ISD and the Grand Prairie Public Library System formed the partnership using eBooks and e-audiobooks to increase access to more reading materials for students.
“This unique collaboration strives to promote literacy and digital learning by combining the schools’ and the library’s digital reading resources in one app,” a press release stated. “As a result, students learn anytime, anywhere because of the convenience, ease of reading on-the-go and the inherent popularity of technology.
The school-library partnership provides safe access to thousands of age-appropriate titles for students’ use inside the classroom, at home and anywhere 24/7.
The app is called Sora and is a student reading app for Grand Prairie ISD.
How it works is students can borrow the school’s collection of classroom and pleasure reading, and access Grand Prairie Public Library System’s juvenile and young adult digital collection. In addition, Sora supports teachers by offering education-specific tools like achievements, exportable notes, and reading progress that encourage individualized learning.
Improving Literacy Through Adventures
“Grand Prairie ISD is thrilled to announce a partnership with our GP Public Libraries,” said Kathy Seybert, Coordinator of Instructional Media at Grand Prairie ISD. “Our students can now use the Sora app to easily connect their school and public library. This partnership means our students can read even more eBooks and audiobooks than ever before. The Sora app has created a one-stop shop for our students to become avid, lifelong readers. Read an eBook today to discover new adventures.”
The Sora app was named one of TIME’s Best Inventions 2019. It can be downloaded through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and on Chromebooks that support the Google Play Store. It is also available for use in web browsers at https://soraapp.com on any computer.
“We’ve long enjoyed a great partnership with GPISD in our joint goal to improve early literacy,” said Grand Prairie Library Director Amy Sprinkles. “This is a leap forward in furthering that objective. Our eBooks have become more and more popular, and parents love being able to stock up on books without a late-night trip to the library. Kids get excited about reading when they can choose their own books, with their favorite characters. The Library has long supported our local students with programs, study materials and online tutoring, and now we’re thrilled to join GPISD and consolidate our eBooks into a shared, dynamic collection of hand-picked materials, available 24/7.”
