These are challenging times. I know all libraries are making every effort to continue providing services to their users. I hope we can also look upon this event as an opportunity to demonstrate how valuable libraries are to their communities.
Below are some random ideas that I have gleaned from listserv posts, Facebook, and PLAN Interest Group meetings. I hope this post will assist you in providing some level of service to your users. We encourage you to add your own ideas and resources in the comments.
PLAN website:
- STEM Resources
- List of Online Resources and Entertainment
- Staff Development
- Upcoming PLAN webinars
- PLAN webinar recordings
- Other free training
- Florida Libraries Online Conference: Fostering Resilient Communities
Tech-Talk: content available free for students, teachers and patrons for the duration of this crisis. Apply: https://www.tech-talk.com/free-learning. Also check out their free webinars and recordings for FL library staff.
Interact with patrons/students
- Zoom: free accounts (limited to 40 minute sessions). You can use to provide short programs to the public
- Google Classroom – Three kinds of accounts:
-
- School or Education account — Known as G Suite for Education. This type of account would be set up by an accredited school or non-profit (like yourname@yourschool.edu).
- G Suite account — This is actually a paid level that Google offers. It would be set up by your organization’s administrator so that you can use your own domain (like yourname@yourorganization.com).
- Personal Google Account — This would be the typical free Google account used with a Gmail address that anyone can set up (like yourname@gmail.com).
- Online Run/Walk Clubs
- Virtual book clubs
Chop Chop Cooking Club – Cook with your kids
The Kid Should See This: Smart videos for curious minds of all ages
Homeschooling
- FAU Homeschooling LibGuide Note: other LibGuides available by subject at https://libguides.fau.edu/?b=s
- YouTube’s channel: The Learning Playlist
- DPLA: links to digitized collections, online exhibitions, primary source sets
- PBS Learning
- Library of Congress: Smart Fun for Kids
Science
- Astronomy
- Tour of Mars
- International Observe the Moon 2019
- “Walkabout the Galaxy” podcast, not K-12, but fun
- Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics includes a website to control telescopes, K-12 Professional Development, and Informal education.
- Skype a Scientist where you can sign up to talk to a scientist.
- Florida Public Archaeology Network: The Resources tab has links to Lesson Plans, Handouts, Videos, and more.
- Science Education Center (Checkmark Free Resources Only), Smithsonian Digitization 3D MicroObservatory Robotic Telescope Network
- Citizen Science
Free Language Training
- Transparent Language – Most PLAN public libraries have access to this Recorded Books product.
- Busuu
Many vendors are offering free access to their products. Please share any that you know are available.
And don’t forget to daily promote your electronic resources!