Library Media

Destiny is the online catalog used by Wichita Public Schools, giving students and staff access to books, e-books, audiobooks, and more—anytime, anywhere. Click the link or photo below to see what’s available in your child’s school library.

The State Library of Kansas offers free access to research tools, e-books, audiobooks, and online courses for students and families.

It’s a great way for students to learn, complete homework, and explore new topics—and for parents to find tips and fun activities.

Click the linked picture to start exploring!

Link to Elementary School Student Research

Link to Middle School and High School Student Research

The Wichita Public Library offers free access to books, e-books, homework help, research tools, and educational videos—online and at seven locations across the city.

Students can build research skills, find reliable info for school projects, and discover new books. Parents can explore resources to support learning and find fun family activities.

Click the link for webpages dedicated to kids and teens. 

Wichita Public Library e-card – Thanks to a partnership with USD 259, students get a free WPL e-card! It gives them access to e-books, research databases, and other digital resources.

👉 Click here for details about the student e-card

Battle of the Books is a fun reading competition for USD 259 students!

• Elementary (Grades 3–5): Students read from a list of 64 books and form teams to compete in January.
• Middle School (Grades 6–8): Students read 24 books and compete in April.

Kids answer questions about characters, settings, and authors—and elementary students also give a short book talk. It’s a great way to build reading skills and teamwork!

Click here for a list of elementary & middle school Battle of The Book Lists.

Established in 1952, the William Allen White Children's Book Award is the oldest statewide children's book award in the U.S. Named after Kansas author and editor William Allen White, it celebrates great books—chosen by kids themselves! Students read at least two books from their list to vote for their favorite. It’s a fun way to explore new stories, talk about books with friends, and build a love of reading. Check out the lists below!

Each year, students across Kansas read from two nominee lists:

List of all 2025-2026 William Allen White Nominees

3^rd,4^th, and 5^th Grade Book Nominee Summaries and Book Trailers

6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Grade Book Nominee Summaries and Book Trailers

This award celebrates amazing picture books and helps spark a love of reading in young Kansas students. Named after Bill Martin Jr., author of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, it highlights stories with rich illustrations and engaging storytelling.

Each year, a list of nominated books is shared so children can explore and enjoy high-quality literature. While there’s no voting process, the award is a great way to introduce kids to wonderful books and build a lifelong love of reading.

List of the 2026 Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award Nominees

USD 259 Board of Education Policy 6431 outlines the guidelines used when selecting materials for school libraries across the district. This policy ensures that resources support student learning and reflect the educational goals of Wichita Public Schools.

It also provides a clear process for families and community members who wish to share concerns about specific library materials.

USD 259 has a public performance license through the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC). This license allows teachers and schools to legally show certain movies or clips in the classroom for educational and enrichment purposes—especially during those learning moments when a scene supports instruction. To learn more visit https://us.mplc.com/