"at your library" in the north island eagle: make screen time count with library e-resources for kids and teens

At Your Library: Make Screen Time Count with Library E-Resources for Kids and Teens

You know I’m always going on about the great e-resources you can access through your library. “E-resources” means e-books, digital magazines, streaming music and movies, plus ways to learn new skills, expand your small business, and so much more. But did you know that Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) has e-resources just for kids and teens?

My favourite e-resource for kids is TumbleBookLibrary. It offers picture books, graphic novels, children’s classics, early readers, and more. There are even “read-alongs” -- your child can read the book while it’s also being read to them. With TumbleBookLibrary, your kids always have fresh new books to read, and you always have a way to help build their reading skills.

OverDrive is the library’s most popular way to access eBooks and eAudiobooks – and it has a kids’ section. Download the “Libby” app and you can get started right away. Don’t worry: eBooks and audiobooks “count” as reading. They help your children develop literacy every bit as much as print.

There are great e-resources for homework and school projects, too. Explora is a kid-friendly research tool containing articles from encyclopedias and science magazines, on nearly every topic you can think of. 

The Encyclopedia of British Columbia is just what it sounds like – the definitive reference for all things B.C. There are thousands of articles, plus photographs, maps, and video clips. KnowBC is the place to go for popular school subjects like local birds, marine life, shells, and place names. 

Teens are part of the picture, too. TeenBookCloud has hundreds of eBooks and audiobooks for middle school and high school readers. You can access it online without an app. And you can find lots of YA reads on OverDrive, either through the library website or the Libby app. 

Knowledge Network is a hidden gem – a commercial-free public television network for the province of BC. Teens might be especially interested in the documentaries on far-ranging topics, by independent filmmakers, with a strong Canadian and BC slant. It’s free and easy to use. 

Teen crafters will love Creativebug. It offers thousands of video classes and demonstrations for creating art and craft of all types. There are ideas for every interest and skill level. A great idea for a social-distanced party!

These are only some of the many options for kids and teens that you can find through your library. Of course, they are all free, and available to anyone with a library card. Go to virl.bc.ca > Read, Watch, Listen to start exploring. If you need help, call 1-888-415-VIRL. Someone is available to help you every day of the week.

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