Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Digital Resources. No Library Card Required!

Because we are closed to the public through May 18th, this week’s blog features the digital resources available to our patrons and to the general public who may not have a library card. The only thing necessary to access these resources is an internet connection and a computer, tablet, or smartphone. We are proud to be able to offer these services especially in times like these. 
First, I would like to cover those resources that do not require a login and can, therefore, be accessed directly from our catalog page: https://wcvpl.biblionix.com. As you scroll down, on the left side of the page, you will find a list of resources available. The following items on that list do not require a library card to use: AudioBookCloud, RomanceBookCloud, TeenBookCloud, TumbleBooks, and TumbleMath. (These resources will not require a login through August 31st since the parent company has decided it would be a good idea to make them open to everyone during the COVID-19 crisis.)  
AudioBookCloud is on online collection of audio books available for libraries and schools to have access to classic literature, nonfiction, young adult, new titles, and Spanish language audio books. You can search for your favorite author or title as well as browse through the various genres. There is no software to download, because you stream directly from the website. The downside is that you cannot listen while offline. 

Both RomanceBookCloud and TeenBookCloud are like the AudioBookCloud in that there are multiple genres to choose from and they must be read online. RomanceBookCloud has a core collection of more than 1700 eBook titles from the various romance sub-genres—Contemporary, Inspirational, Historical, Regency, Paranormal, and Sci-fi. TeenBookCloud is a collection of eBooks for grades 7-12. The selection includes graphic novels, enhanced novels, classic literature, National Geographic videos, and audiobooks. It also includes a Common Core portal for grade level reading. 
TumbleBooks is an online collection of animated, talking picture books which help to teach young children the joys of reading. Some of the titles even have a read-along function that allows your child to follow along as the story is read to them. TumbleBooks also has a variety of Story books, read-alongs, eBooks, graphic novels, nonfiction, videos as well as some puzzles and games to keep children engaged. There is also Accelerated Reader information so that your child can keep up with their AR reading. 
Finally, we have TumbleMath which offers math picture books, lesson plans, and quizzes in everything from counting, addition, and subtraction to graphing, probability, and finance. The picture books have subtle animation and narration to help your child learn to love math. The quiz section has quizzes just for TumbleMath, but also a selection of Common Core based quizzes. 
One last thing, we would like our patrons to remember that we will not attach any fines to the materials you have checked out for as long as we remain closed. Please remember that audio CDs, DVDs, Playaways, Playaway Views, and any learning games and toys checked out from downstairs cannot be put in the book drop. Hang on to those and we will be happy to take those once we re-open.

No comments: