Library + Parent / Guardian Partnership
Pasadena ISD school libraries are a big part of our District, serving the instructional goals of the PISD learning community and inspiring a love of reading. Every campus library provides a deep and wide variety of products and services.
Reading builds vocabulary, sparks curiosity, and lays the foundation for lifelong learning. Our libraries are vibrant learning hubs where full-time certified librarians actively engage with students—guiding them in research, fostering a love for reading, and supporting their academic growth. In collaboration with teachers, librarians help students navigate district curriculum and integrate technology into their learning journey.
Parents and guardians are also encouraged to communicate with the campus librarian and their child’s teacher about special considerations regarding library materials that have been self-selected by their student.
In accordance with state law and administrative procedures, parents or guardians may select alternative library materials for their student.
Together, we can foster a love of reading for each child.
On this page you will find information about:
- How to view titles that are in
- How to personalize the titles a student has access to in OverDrive Sora
- How to OPT OUT of access to additional Digital Resources available to PISD Students
Viewing Titles in Campus Library Collections
Pasadena ISD uses Insignia Software for our library automation system to manage the library catalog. This robust application allows each campus to use an online site to view titles and interact with student library accounts. The Insignia Parent Portal allows you to view the books your child has checked out and set title personalization, in alignment with SB13. The guides below will help access and use the parent portal.
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This guide will help you access the Insignia ILS Parent Portal.
Note: Pasadena ISD employees are unable to log in to the parent portal using their PISD email address. If you are an employee and would like to manage your own child’s library account, you will need to update your preferred email address in Skyward to a personal (non-PISD) email. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your child's campus librarian.
Navigate to > pasadenaisd.insigniails.com/Library/EmailLogin
Enter your parent or guardian email address, then click "Send Code"
Check your email for a code
Enter the code
Click Login
Select your child’s name in the drop-down menu
Click on Loan
Current checkouts and due dates will be listed
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This guide will help you access the Insignia ILS Parent Portal.
Note: Pasadena ISD employees are unable to log in to the parent portal using their PISD email address. If you are an employee and would like to manage your own child’s library account, you will need to update your preferred email address in Skyward to a personal (non-PISD) email. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your child's campus librarian.
Navigate to > pasadenaisd.insigniails.com/Library/EmailLogin
Enter your parent or guardian email address, then click "Send Code"
Check your email for a code
Enter the code
Click login
Select your child’s name in the drop-down menu
Search for the title or topic you want to personalize / restrict using the empty search box
If you want to search by topic, make sure the dropdown menu list is set to: keywords
If you want to search by title, change the search to: title
Check the boxes beside the titles you want to personalize / restrict
Select Restrict
The titles will populate in the top grid
To unrestrict any titles, check the boxes beside the title and select unrestrict
Viewing Titles in Classroom Library Collections
Campus teachers who provide library of titles for students to self-select in the classroom have listed them for parents/guardians to view.
Instructions and video for information on accessing titles are included here.
If you have any questions about the titles contained in the classroom library, please contact the classroom teacher directly.
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Log into Class Link using your student’s login
Select the Beanstack tile
At the top of the home screen
Select the Classroom Library tab
If your student’s teacher has a classroom library entered into Beanstack, the teachers name will be shown under the Classroom Library List and you can view all title in their classroom.
Select a teacher’s name to view their classroom library.
If the teacher’s name is not listed, please contact the classroom teacher directly.
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Spanish/English:
Click on the Settings cog in the bottom-right corner of the video to change the language.
This Loom demonstrates the Classroom Library Connector feature from the student view and shows how parents can see the same page using the student portal. It explains that the student dashboard has Classroom Library in the top right and that any teacher who documented a classroom library in Beanstack appears under tabs.
Student and Parent View of Classroom Library Using Beanstack
OverDrive Sora App Parent Personalization
OverDrive Sora’s Parental Controls provide families and guardians visibility and management over their child’s reading experience in the Overdrive Sora app. The following documents include information for parents/guardians on how to personalize student access to titles in the OverDrive Sora application.
Opting OUT of Additional Digital Resources
NOTE: Selecting this OPT OUT for your student will remove access to most of the additional digital resources available to them.
These include, but are not limited to, most of the digital resources found on the Pasadena ISD Digital Resources Tools by School Level pages for the specific digital resources lists.
eBooks and audiobooks are digital versions of books, accessible on devices like tablets, e-readers, and computers. Our digital library collections follow the same selection policies as our physical libraries, ensuring content is appropriate for each age and grade level.
However, some vendors may not meet all parental control requirements outlined in SB 13 (effective September 1, 2025), such as:
- Restricting specific titles,
- Viewing checked-out titles,
- Providing parents with a record of each checkout.
Parents have the right to personalize their child’s access to eBooks, audiobooks and digital resources from third-party vendors. Pasadena ISD parents/guardians may OPT OUT of access to additional digital resources available to PISD students.
Consent is effective for the current school year unless revoked earlier and can be reinstated at any time with written notice.
STARTING FEBRUARY 1, 2026: To personalize your child’s access, complete the opt-out process in Skyward Family Access.
If you have any questions about our campus libraries please contact your campus librarian or the Libraries & Instructional Materials Department.
Melissa Rippy, Director of Libraries and Instructional Materials
713-740-0150