From The Bookshelf

GET READY FOR SCHOOL WITH THE LIBRARY

Going back to school after summer break stirs up a variety of emotions for both children and parents. Students are excited to start a new year, while parents feel stressed about getting all the needed supplies. 2021 has the added uncertainty of returning to school after being virtual for so long. You can help gear yourself and your family towards a successful school year by getting to know your local Library. As the African American Resource Collection, Equity and Inclusion Librarian, I’d like to recommend several resources the New Orleans Public Library offers to provide students and parents with support for a successful school year.

Homework Help

Your Library card gives you access to live online tutors! You can utilize HomeworkLA Live from 2 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week. This wonderful resource also provides self-study tools, skill builders, and homework help for K-basic college level skills. Library cardholders can also use the online Writing Center, Career Center, and Adult Education Center.

Homework e-Resources

One of the biggest barriers is not having the materials to complete assignments. We’ve created a plethora of online resources just for students. Britannica e-Books offers hundreds of full color and black and white non-fiction downloadable e-books for ages preschool to 18. Our Library also offers World Book Online Encyclopedia, the children’s version of the World Book Encyclopedia.

Test Prep

It is never too soon to start thinking about test prep. Our online resources are a good place to start for both school-aged children and adults. Learning Express can help people improve their scores on academic, civil service, military, and professional licensing and certification exams, including the PSAT, SAT, GED replacement, TASC tests, and other exams. There is also a special section for Adult Core Skills to help improve your basic math skills, help to become a better reader, and improve your writing, speaking, and grammar skills. The Adult Core Skills also has a section to prepare for your citizenship exam. This section includes a citizenship test practice, citizenship e-books, articles, and flashcards in English and in Spanish.

Resource Lists

You may be thinking about getting school supplies for the beginning of the school year, but you need homework resources throughout the year. Our librarians have created several subject matter related resource lists for parents and for students. The category-specific resource lists provide reading lists, library resources, e-resources and other helpful information in the following areas: · Art · English Language Acquisition (ELA) · Information Literacy · Math · Music · Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) · Science · U.S. History · World History You can go to homework.nolalibrary.org to find a comprehensive list of all the homework resources you have access to for free with your New Orleans Public Library card. If you are interested in getting a Library card, contact your closest location or visit our website.

Shukrani Gray is the African American Resource Collection, Equity, and Inclusion Librarian at the New Orleans Public Library.