Virtual Resources for Kids, Teens, Wellness, News & Hobbies
We hope the digital materials from the Boca Raton Public Library have been a help to you and your loved ones as you continue to practice social distancing and self-isolation. In this newsletter, we are highlighting a few of our favorite online resources that include picture eBooks and games for parents of young children. If you have older children and are grappling with homeschooling, we also have great resources to help you with math and S.T.E.A.M.
Now, more than ever, it's critical to keep up with the news. The library's newspaper subscriptions allow you to access national news like The New York Times and The Washington Post for free. And if you’re looking for new recipes, head over to our digital magazines where you can access titles like Bon Appétit, Clean Eating, and Food Network Magazine.
We hope you're all healthy and staying strong in body and mind.
All the best,
Joleen Wielkie
Librarian III, Technology and Digital Services
Kids
TumbleBooks Library: (Grades K-6) Talking books, games and puzzles in English, Spanish, and French.
TumbleMath: (Grades K-6) Picture books on an array of elementary school math areas: word problems, fractions, division, and more.
OverDrive Kids: Find eBooks and eAudiobooks for all ages, including picture books, chapter books, favorite characters and series. Currently featuring special collections: “Kids’ Picks for Tough Times” and “Helping Kids Stay Healthy.”
Gale Virtual Reference Library eBooks: (Grades 4-12) Trying to continue your student’s S.T.E.A.M. education at home? Check out this collection of colorful, full-text eBooks on science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Or learn coding and computer science here.
Teens
Teen Book Cloud: (Grades 7-12) Fiction and non-fiction eBooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, and videos for teens. Includes AP English titles.
Universal Class: Self-paced video courses that can help you land your first job: Call Center/Customer Service Training, Event Planning, Fashion Design, Receptionist, Interview Skills, Journalism, Party Planning, Waiter/Waitress Training, Babysitting, Face Painting, or Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Business.
OverDrive Teens: Find the latest bestsellers, start a new series, or revisit an old favorite on this eBook site curated just for teen readers.
Driving-tests.org: Why not get your written driving test out of the way while you’re at home? This site includes the latest FL Driver’s Handbook and practice tests for car and motorcycle in English and Spanish.
Wellness
Universal Class: Around-the-clock parenting can be stressful. Learn how to better cope with self-paced video courses like How to Live with a Teenager, Single Parenting 101, Child Psychology 101, Behavior Management, and Building Self-Esteem in Children. Or take self-paced video courses in a number of health-related areas, including Anxiety Therapy, Aromatherapy, Depression Management, Healing Affirmations, Lifetime Wellness, Meditation, Stress Management, and more.
Consumer Reports: Visit this source of reliable, unbiased information for timely articles, such as “How to Get a Break on Your Car Insurance,” “How to Choose and Wear a Mask During the Coronavirus Pandemic,” “Kill Coronavirus in Your Car Without Damaging Surfaces,” “What to Do If You Can’t Make Auto Loan or Lease Payments,” and “Should You Put a Freezer in Your Garage?”
News & Entertainment
Newspapers
Did you know you can read all the online New York Times and Washington Post news you want without hitting a paywall? Boca Raton Public Library offers renewable 3-day passes for The New York Times and 7-day passes for The Washington Post.
The New York Times:Click here for your Access Code and link. Click Redeem to get 3 days of continuous access. You’ll need to create an account with The New York Times. When 3 days are up, just repeat this step to renew access. For more detailed information, please see our Getting Started Guide.
The Washington Post:Connect here to create an account and get a 7-day, renewable pass.
Magazines
RB Digital: There’s no need to go to the store or newsstand to get your favorite magazines or to pay subscription fees for home delivery. Read full digital copies of them on a computer or mobile device, compliments of the Library. Current and back issues included. Get the app from iTunes or Google Play.
Hobbies
Universal Class: Has over 70 crafts and hobbies courses you can take without leaving home and more than 50 how-to and do-it-yourself classes. Feng Shui your house, knit a blanket, make a perfect cocktail, read body language, plant a garden, and learn other fun and useful skills to impress your friends, family, and coworkers when you see them again.
Hoopla: Looking for a new hobby but don’t know where to start? Need an engaging project to keep the kids busy? Spark your imagination with Hoopla! Search the “Crafts & Hobbies” category and get lost in thousands of eBook guides to every how-to imaginable -- plus a few you never knew existed.
LinkedIn Learning: Can your hobby or unique skill earn you extra money? LinkedIn Learning has hundreds of videos to teach you how to start, market and manage your side hustle, including 32 Ways to Make Extra Money, Employee to Entrepreneur, Switching Your Career, and Start a Business Online.
If you’re a Boca Raton city resident and would like a library card for you or your child, please contact us at brpl@myboca.us.