• 24/7 Student Access to Houston Public Library

    The Houston Independent School District and the Houston Public Library have formed a partnership to ensure every HISD student has access to HPL's vast assortment of books and resources. Students can now use their student id to check out books at any of HPL's 43 locations and access online, pre-approved, age appropriate HPL resources through the HUB.  All HISD students are automatically enrolled in this program, called the HPL Learning Link. The HPL Learning Link student account does not collect any overdue fines or fees. However, students are responsible for a $10 fee per lost or damaged book.  

    A student's HISD login and password will provide them access to age-appropriate, pre-approved, online HPL resources via the HUB. To access, students must follow the instructions below.

    • Log into the HUB.
    • Click on the "Digital Resources" tab at the top of the page.
    • Click on the HPL Learning Link logo.
    • Enter your user name and pin in the following format:

      USER NAME: First initial of last name (capitalized) + student ID number
      PIN: MMDD (date of birth)
      EXAMPLE: For Jane Smith with student id 123456 and birth date of 12/01/2001
                                      User name: S123456
                                      Pin: 1201

    Top Resources by grade level that are pre-approved by HISD include:

    Elementary (PreK – 5th) Middle (6th – 8th) High (9th – 12th)
    • TumbleBooks
    • Explora
    • NoveList
    • Explora
    • Britannica for Young Adults
    • Literature Resource Center
    • National Geographic for Kids
    • e-Books on Overdrive
    • e-Books on Overdrive

     

    Do student accounts replace traditional library cards?
    No. If a student already has a HPL MY Link library card, they will continue to be able to use it to check out materials from the library and use in-library computers. The student accounts supplement the MY Link library card and improve each student’s ability to access HPL online research tools as part of their school work. Students who do not yet have a MY Link library card may obtain one after verifying eligibility.
     
    Are all students eligible and have a student account? Any student enrolled at a school in HISD is eligible for a student HPL Learning Link account. Accounts are automatically active upon a child’s first day of enrollment at HISD. 
     
    Can a parent choose to opt their child out of the Learning Link program? If you do not want your child to have access to library materials, you may opt out by submitting an opt-out form. Be aware that students who opt out of Learning Link will not be able to participate in classroom use of library resources unless they have a Houston Public Library MY Link card and know the full card number and PIN. Submit one form per child. Link for opt-out form: HoustonLibrary.org/learn-explore/learning-link-opt-out-form
     
    Are there any overdue fines and fees? Students will never have overdue fines on their student library account. However, students will be responsible for a $10 fee per item that is lost or damaged. Accounts will become inactive once a student reaches $50 in non-returned books.
     
    Do student accounts expire? The student account remains active until the student departs HISD (i.e., the student transfers to a new school district or graduates).
     
    How many items can the student borrow? Students may borrow as many as 10 items at one time for FREE, including e-books and audio books.
     
    How long can the student keep library materials? The standard loan period is three weeks. Most items may be renewed for one additional three-week period. The renewal period is calculated from the date the items are renewed. The maximum loan period, including renewal, is six weeks.
     
    Will student accounts work during the summer when school is not in session? Yes. Student accounts provide 24/7 access year-round.