You may not be able to visit the library, but we’re still here to support you with a wide selection of digital resources for all ages.
Trying to keep students on track for school assignments or SAT, ACT and AP exams? Want to learn a new hobby, language, or computer software? Need assistance with filing taxes, reemployment, or online employment retraining? Need a book or movie recommendation?
The Boca Raton Public Library can help you!
If there’s an ebook title you’d like us to get, you have questions about your account, or you need help with your device, please email us at brpl@myboca.us. We’ll get back to you within 48 hours.
~Vicky Fitzsimmons
Digital Librarian
Current Event Resources
Census 2020: The US Census Bureau has temporarily suspended field operations and in-person interviews due to COVID-19, but you can still fill out your Census form online, by phone, or by mail:
For a guide to completing the Census online, click here.
For a guide to completing the Census by phone, click here.
For a guide to completing the Census by mail, click here.
Unemployment: In Florida, unemployment benefits are referred to as “reemployment assistance.” The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has released information about filing for reemployment assistance amid the pandemic. Click here for their guide. Visit www.floridajobs.org for more information or to apply on their online platform here.
Income Taxes: The Internal Revenue Service has extended the tax filing and payment deadline to July 15, 2020. For online forms and instructions, click here. The IRS offers several resources related to preparing, filing, and paying your taxes, including their Free File online tool. For more information, click here.
Fraud and Scams: Please be vigilant. The FCC has identified common phone, text, email, and postal mail scams surrounding government services. For information on how to protect yourself and how to identify common types of fraud, please visit the Official Guide to Government Information and Services here.
Health and Wellness: With the current CDC guidelines in place limiting social gatherings to 10 people or less and encouraging social distancing, the City of Boca Raton has gathered a list of resources for virtual workouts, and educational and meditation seminars.
*Anxiety and Stress: Online counseling courses from Universal Class can help you connect better with yourself, family, friends, and clients in both personal and professional settings. Choose from a wide selection of online counseling courses, including anger management, substance-abuse awareness, decision-making skills, and anxiety therapy.
Virtual Learning for Children and Teens
Webinar for Parents: Tutor.com has a FREE 30-minute webinar, “Bringing It Home for the W.I.N.: Tips for Parents Keeping their Own Students on Track and Organized from Home.” This will show how to organize your day so that you can get work done while ensuring that your own school-age students do the same. Watch the webinar here.
*Test Help for Teens: Tutor.com and Learning Express Library can help teens get ready for end-of-school-year SAT, ACT, and AP exams. Find practice tests, math assistance, study resources and more. Find video tutorials for these services and other great schoolwork support resources here.
*Tutoring for Grades K-12:Tutor.com offers a free online tutoring service to library cardholders every day, from noon to midnight, for grades K-12. Tutors are able to share a computer screen with students to work through math problems, give feedback on writing assignments or help in any other school subject. Spanish-speaking tutors are available, too.
*Educational Shows for Little Ones: Kanopy Kids is offering unlimited access to quality educational content like Sesame Street, Arthur, and even language learning series. After logging in, look for the "Go to Kanopy Kids" link in the upper right corner of the webpage.
Online Kindergarten: Miss Humblebee's Academy, an interactive kindergarten prep program, teaches math, science & social studies, language & literature, art and music. Children can also listen to an amazing collection of music and books. Fill out the brief "Get Access" form to gain entry.
*Educational eBooks: Visit Homeschool with Hoopla to find a wide variety of educational eBooks!
Virtual Learning for Adults
*Great Courses Lectures: This popular series is available in audio and video format via our Digital Library. Access Hoopla to listen to lectures or Kanopy if you prefer to view the lessons on your computer or smartTV. With hundreds of courses covering a broad range of topics, there is always something new to learn.
*Professional Development: Learn valuable new computer software, web design, and presentation skills with LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com). Follow recommended learning tracks or create your own path with engaging, self-paced video courses taught by experts in their field. Watch a tutorial here. You'll need to set up a PIN for access; email us at brpl@myboca.us for assistance.
*Explore Your Family Tree:Ancestry.com has extended home access to our library patrons for a limited time. You may also like our newest genealogy database, MyHeritage. It's always available from home and focuses on European, South American, and Jewish records.
*Learn a New Language: Finally have time to learn a new language? Transparent Language makes language learning fun and easy with games, puzzles, blogs and creative ideas for adding language learning to your daily routine.
More to Enjoy
Read Up Challenge 2020: Join the library’s Read Up Challenge! Read books in 24 categories, log them online, and enter for the chance to win gift cards at the end of the year. Sign up here.
*Bonus Borrows from Hoopla: We’ve raised the monthly borrow limit to 12, and Hoopla has created a Bonus Borrows collection that doesn’t count against your monthly limit. Borrow eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, comics, and music. No holds, no waitlists!
*Big Library Read: Overdrive has launched their annual Big Library Read! Read or listen to Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic by Michael McCreary with no waitlists or holds! Join the Big Library Read discussion board to see what other readers are saying. Join today; program runs through April 13.
*Find Your Next Playlist: Stream Freegal music, ad-free, for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Listen to dozens of curated playlists, like "Work from Home: The Social Distancing Playlist," or put together your own favorites. You can also download and keep five songs each week!
*Items marked with an asterisk require a Boca Raton Public Library card. If you’re a resident and would like a library card for you or your child, please contact us at brpl@myboca.us.