UPDATE: Learning Link FAQ for Staff

From Fred Schumacher:

Good afternoon,

The Learning Link Staff FAQ is intended to guide you in working with customers who may have questions regarding what Learning Link is and how it can be used. It's a living document, so if and when situations arise that the document does not address, we'll add to it. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with the information in the FAQ so that you will be better able to assist students and parents who may need your assistance in using the account to access resources and collections.

If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me or Circulation Administration. We'll be happy to help in any way we are able.

Note: Learning Link is to launch on Monday, October 3, 2016. The FAQ is posted below and will also be linked to on the blog under "Staff Resources."

Learning Link FAQ for Staff
Launches Monday, October 3, 2016

1. What is Learning Link?

·                     Learning Link is a virtual library account that is issued to all students in Houston Independent School District schools.

2. Can a student have a Learning Link account as well as a My Link library card?

·                     Yes. A student enrolled in an HISD school may have a Learning Link account even if s/he already has a My Link library card. Likewise, a student with a Learning Link account may also register for and receive a My Link library card, as long as s/he does not already have a My Link library card account in HPL's Symphony system.

3. What can a student do with a Learning Link account?

·                     Learning Link provides the student with 24/7 access to HPL electronic resources, as well as allows him/her to have up to 10 physical items checked out from the Library at a time (some restrictions apply).

4. Are there check out limits for Learning Link accounts?

·                     Yes. Learning Link accounts are limited to up to 10 physical items checked out at any time. Additionally, Learning Link accounts are subject to the same check out limits on electronic resources as My Link accounts.

5. Are there restrictions on the type of physical material that can be checked out on Learning Link accounts?

·                     Yes. Learning Link accounts may not be used to check out DVDs, CDs, laptops or other electronic devices, games or Flip Kits. Additionally, elementary school students may use their Learning Link accounts to check out physical items from the juvenile materials collection only.

6. Do Learning Link accounts accrue fines?

·                     No. Fines do not accrue for overdue materials checked out on Learning Link accounts.

7. Do Learning Link accounts get billed for unreturned, lost, or damaged material?

·                     Yes. Learning Link accounts will be billed for unreturned, lost and damaged material. Bills for items will be limited to a maximum cost of $10.00 per item, and no processing fee will be charged.

8. Will Learning Link accounts be blocked for bills?

·                     Yes. Learning Link accounts will be blocked from privileges when the amount owed for bills for unreturned, lost and/or damaged material on the account is $50.00 or more.

9. What do I do when a student wants to check out physical material with his/her Learning Link?

·                     To look up the student's Learning Link account, request his/her school issued student ID, and look the account up using the name and ID number. The Learning Link User ID is the first initial of the last name followed by the student ID number (Robert Frost with HISD ID number 123456 will have Learning Link user ID F123456). If the student cannot present his/her school issued student ID, get the student's first and last name, student ID number, and birthday. Use that information to look up the student's account, confirm that you have the right account by checking the birthday against the PIN (mm/dd). Before checking out, make sure that the student's home address and phone number are added to the account. Address verification is not required for these accounts, but it is helpful to do so if the parent is present.

10. Can parents/guardians use their children's Learning Link accounts?

·                     Some parents may wish to use their children's Learning Link accounts to check out material for their children. Allow them to do so. The parent will need to provide the same information to access the account and check out as the student does. The same limitations will apply to these check outs as apply to check outs performed by the students.

11. Can Learning Link accounts be used to check out DVDs, CDs, laptops or other restricted material if the student's parent/guardian gives permission to do so?

·                     No. Learning Link accounts are not approved for checking out any of those materials. Parents/guardians may register their children for My Link accounts, which will allow them to check out DVDs, CDs, laptops and other electronic devices, games, and Flip Kits.

12. Do HISD Staff have accounts too?

·                     Yes, HISD staff also have Learning Link accounts in the Symphony system. The formula for the user IDs is the same as the student accounts - first letter of last name and employee ID #/ They are not allowed to check out physical materials with those accounts. They are limited to electronic resources only. If an HISD staff member comes in and wants to check out physical materials, they should complete an application and get a regular MyLink card.