Just because libraries are physically closed doesn’t mean that you still enjoy the plethora of resources the library provides. Many local, national and international libraries have eBooks and other learning opportunities available online. There are other learning resources available as well such as audio books and virtual museum tours.
If you are a current member of a library you can use your member information to sign on. However, if you are not or your credentials have expired you can get temporary access on most sites.
eBook is one way to read books for free right now digitally. When you “borrow” a book, you usually have 14 days to read it but you can extend the checkout if you need it for longer. The book comes in a few formats. You can choose to read it on kindle, on the web or download it to your computer. You can find these on the Alachua County Library website as well as other libraries such as Nautical Archaeology Digital Library.
The Alachua County Library has an interactive literary activity called “Stay at Home Story Time.” Families read a book such as Yasmin the Zoo Keeper. Then there are suggested activities which are easily done at home along with different discovery adventures such as traveling virtually to the San Diego Zoo. After logging in you can discover more stories here.
Audio Books are also available on local and national library websites. Books have a varied availability from 1-3 usually. You can put a hold on books and audio books if none are currently available. Audible is offering a free 30 day trial as well.
Tumble Book Library is offering a free trial until August 31st. There are over 1100 titles in this collected that are uniquely animated with talking pictures and National Geographic videos. More information can be found here.
Virtual Tours allow us to travel to new places and see things from virtual 360 degree galleries to interactive tours of museums. The list below are some that are currently available.
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
- Van Gogh Museum
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
- NASA
- National Museum of the United States Air Force
We hope you’ll take advantage of these learning opportunities!
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