Library Resources Help Kids Learn Year Round
August 19, 2011 —
The area children and teens who participated in the library’s annual Summer Reading Program will be off to a great start in school this fall.
Experts say youngsters who keep reading during the summer retain and can even improve their skills, giving them an advantage when school resumes.
Summer reading’s over, but you can look to the library all year for the tools and online resources to help your child succeed in school.
- Storytimes. Most libraries have weekly storytimes for a variety of ages. Librarians use engaging stories, songs and activities to help build early skills that preschoolers need to learn to read. For details call your library or pick up a fall Storytimes schedule.
- Free workshops. The library offers these to help parents, caregivers and educators help their children learn. Early childhood specialist and author Pam Schiller’s talk is aimed at helping parents, caregivers and educators learn ways to encourage early literacy. It’s at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church, 316 E. Sunshine St. Tickets are free at all libraries and required for admission. A Racing to Read Workshop is at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 for adults and a Racing to Read Family Night 6 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Library Center for grades 3-5.
- Free programs. They’re fun and educational – Veggies: Anything But Ordinary, at 11 a.m. Oct. 8, for preschool-grade 2, Library Center; Riveting Robots at 2 p.m., Nov. 19, grades K-5, Brentwood Branch; Skype Book Club with authors, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 for grades 6-12, Library Center. See more at thelibrary.org/programs.
- Online resources. Preschoolers will love thelibrary.org/kids and “Tumblebooks.” For elementary/middle schoolers, go to thelibrary.org/kids then “Homework Station” for Kids Search, Searchasaurus and Discovering Collection.
Teens can go to thelibrary.org/teens, then “Homework Help” for MAS Ultra School Edition, Discovering Collection and Culture Grams.
Teen and adult students will find extensive research help at thelibrary.org/research.
Need help with your foreign language? Visit Mango languages at thelibrary.org/mango*.
“These online resources are based on national curriculum standards, and with students in mind to meet their study and research needs,” said library electronic resources librarian Renee Brumett.
- Ask Us! Stumped? Ask a Librarian can help. Fill out the form on thelibrary.org/ask, or call (417) 883-5341 from 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday or stop by your nearest branch.