Many parents, caregivers, educators, and students have been adjusting to virtual learning environments since the closing of all public and private schools in March due to the COVID-19 crisis. To support this community, the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) offers dozens of virtual resources that can be accessed at home.
These resources can help parents and caregivers while they adapt to a homeschool environment; add components to compliment educators’ lessons; and enhance students’ research, test taking skills, and more.
“At SCLSNJ, we want all of our customers to know that we are here for you during this constantly evolving and challenging time,” said Lynn Mazur, youth services supervisor. “While your student is distance learning, we offer various resources that can help support their educational needs at all levels. From babies to all the way through adult learners, we have supplemental educational resources that can help meet any learning goals.”
Discover educational resources available virtually through SCLSNJ:
- Creativebug: Video lessons on drawing, painting, crafts, and more.
- Ebook Cricket Media Collection: Nonfiction and fiction e-books for kids.
- Ebook K-8 Collection: Nonfiction and fiction e-books for kids.
- Ebook High School Collection: Nonfiction and fiction e-books for teens.
- EBSCO Ebooks: E-books for all ages.
- Explora: Articles and information on every subject for school papers and projects.
- Explora Primary Schools: Elementary friendly articles on every subject for school papers and projects.
- Facts on File Online Databases: Information on history, science, literature, geography, and health.
- Ferguson’s Career Guidance: College planning and career exploration.
- LearningExpress Library: Skill-building resources for classroom and homework success for elementary through high school; ACT/SAT/AP test preparation; and more.
- Lumos Test Prep: Math and language arts exercises and practice tests for grades 3-8.
- Mango Languages: World language learning.
- Middle Search Plus: Popular middle school magazines, biographies, and reference books.
- National Geographic Virtual Library: Virtual issues of “National Geographic Magazine,” and information about the people, animals, and landscapes of the world.
- Naxos Music Library: Classical music and instrument listening.
- NoveList K-8 Plus: Read-alikes and more for kids and teens.
- Points of View Reference Center: Over 400 comprehensive essays with point and counterpoint arguments related to current issues in the news.
- Rosetta Stone: World language learning.
- TeenBookCloud: E-books and audiobooks for middle and high school students.
- TumbleBook Library: Animated picture books for children.
- TumbleMath: Math books and math tracker quizzes based on grades K-5 using common core standards.
- Vidcode: Code with javascript programming language.
- World Almanac for Kids Online: Homework help, reference facts, games, and quizzes.
“Hopefully these resources will help relieve some of the stress and anxiety students,
educators, and parents may be experiencing,” said Linda Tripp, collection development librarian. “Most parents didn’t sign up to be math teachers, but TumbleMath story books present more than a dozen math concepts in a fun and entertaining way. Kids working on papers or projects will find inspiration, information and primary source documents with Explora, Middle Search Plus, or the Facts on File databases.”
Tripp continued “And let’s not forget about the arts! Creativebug offers over 100 videos suitable for kids, and you can find musical stories and learn about classical music and instruments at Naxos Music Library.”
#BeSafeAtHome and explore these resources and more with SCLSNJ: sclsnj.org/databases. If you have any questions about these resources, you can connect with an SCLSNJ librarian virtually: sclsnj.org/research-learn/ask-a-librarian.