A decade of partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library yields immeasurable benefit

Ten years ago, leaders from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library came together with an idea that felt both practical and ambitious — turn every student ID into a library card. No extra forms. No barriers. Just access.

“It was really one of those moments where you just say, ‘let’s try it,’” said Martha Yesowitch, community partnerships manager with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

That idea became ONE Access — and its impact was immediate.

“In the very first year of ONE Access, we actually had 100,000 students log on and use their accounts,” Yesowitch said. “Year over year, tens of thousands of students have logged on. They’ve improved their lives. We’ve made a stronger community.”

The program’s success did not go unnoticed. What started in Charlotte has become a model for communities across the country, with other school districts and library systems looking to replicate the approach.

Supporting Student Success

Today, that single ID number continues to open the door to digital books, research tools and academic support — available anytime, anywhere.

For Camie Snyder, curriculum and instructional specialist for CMS Library Services, that access also strengthens the district’s mission.

“One Access is one of the most amazing resources that we have to support our students in CMS,” Snyder said. “It supports all of our CMS goals, especially guardrail number three — attending to the whole child. Students are able to read books online, do research, receive support for their curriculum, access tutoring, as well as college and career resources.”

“You take a look at the strategic plan for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, you can tick through those four goals and see how the library aligns with every single one of them,” Yesowitch said.

Personal Connections in Every School

The program’s strength goes beyond access. It also provides personal support in each of the district’s schools through a ONE Access Connector.

“We’re building relationships with the faculty, with the librarians and with the students,” said Susan Lyon, manager of the Mountain Island Branch Library. “We’re visiting the students, but we’re also welcoming them into our spaces because they have immediate access to all of our collections.”

Those relationships create meaningful experiences. At Paw Creek Elementary School, media coordinator Jerriana Roland recalled a connector visit that introduced students to Middle Eastern culture through language and a tea tasting.

“It was an experience that my students wouldn’t have had otherwise,” Roland said.

For younger students, the appeal of ONE Access lies not just in its ease of digital access, but in the sense of discovery it offers.

“I think ONE Access is cool because you can look up whatever you want to look up about animals and other stuff like weather and science,” said Bethany.

“It’s my favorite because you can learn about animals, science, art and other stuff too,” said Disini.

The ripple effect of the ONE Access partnership continues to be felt.

“Just this past month, Chicago Public Library and Chicago Public Schools started a ONE Access-style program,” Yesowitch said. “They look to us for that leadership.”

Ten years in, ONE Access remains what it was meant to be: a simple idea with powerful reach — connecting students to a wide range of resources and opportunities to explore, learn and grow.