by Jean Matthew Hall

I LOVE libraries. Prior to COVID-19 I was a weekly visitor to my nearest Louisville Free Public Library. And, yes, I miss those trips mining for information and other resources.

It was the same when I live in Union County, NC. My local children’s librarians knew me by first name.

The physical doors may be locked, but libraries are NOT completely closed. Have you discovered the wealth of  resources available online at your library? Resources for you and your kiddos.

Here’s a screenshot of my library’s website. Look to the left and see all the stuff that is available to cardholders.

• Digital books (in the Catalog)
• Videos (in the Catalog)
• Audio books (in the Catalog)
• Ask-a-Librarian by email
• Research tools galore

The Research tools include online magazines, encyclopedic books, almanacs, dictionaries, professional journals, educational resources, access to university sites, and more.

Do you have a Kindle or other reader? My local library uses LIBBY. It’s an online source for e-books to read on different formats. It works in junction with your library. There are other sources that do the same thing. Just download the app and connect to your library.

Some library systems are now offering online sign-up for library cards. Definitely take advantage of that! You can keep your children (and yourself) reading all summer for free!

I’ll be happy when my local library opens their doors for business again. It’s a quiet place to read, to do research, to just relax. I hope you’ll frequent yours, too.

Have you checked them out (Pun intended!) online yet? In the comments can you share with us what good things you found?

God has a way of working everything out for good on some level. That includes COVID-19. When it’s over and done I hope we’ll remember some of the good things that come out of this time of social distancing—good things like reconnecting with family time, and online library resources.

Keep Reading! It’s exercise for the brain.