It’s September and that means it’s back-to-school season! While parents and students prepare for school, reshuffle schedules and figure out activities, our children’s and teen services librarians have been gearing up for a series of fall fun and educational programming. MakerKids, opens a new window programs were designed to help student success by building skills such as paying attention and getting along with others. Rhymes, songs, music and fingerplays during storytime, opens a new window strengthen early literacy skills. In addition, teen gaming , opens a new windowand AniMondays, opens a new window are safe places to connect through shared hobbies, while MakerTeen, opens a new window encourages teens to explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics.
"We have been thrilled to offer children and their caregivers opportunities to attend enriching activities in our libraries again,” says Ann Wahlstrom, Library Manager and Children’s Services Coordinator at North St. Paul, “With safety always at the forefront, we will continue to offer ourselves as a place of fun, learning, reading and community."
Just as our library buildings aren’t just for books, our library website is more than just a card catalog. At rclreads.org, opens a new window, you can see upcoming events and programs, opens a new window as well as book recommendations and watch curated kids and teen shows on Kanopy. You can also watch prerecorded storytime snacks, short rhymes and songs, from your favorite librarians or read a variety of interactive books with Bookflix. If you're looking to freshen up your child's reading lists, fill out the online Shelf Help form and let our youth services librarians give you some personalized recommendations.
Online resources, such as Explora Teens, are available 24/7 to help students succeed this school year. Students can access databases with their library card for school research projects and look up articles and primary sources. Students can get extra lessons in math, science and reading from Skills Camp.
“The one thing teachers and school librarians often get asked by parents is about tutoring resources,” says Anna Smithberger, children’s services librarian at New Brighton, “Through our website, students can get one-to-one live homework help from online tutors at HelpNow.”
Libraries have been a long-standing ally in student success. It is a community of early literacy and life-long learning. Strong libraries, build strong students! Stop by a library close to you or visit rclreads.org.
