Kids – If you’re headed back to school, but you’re brain is still on “vacation,” the San Diego County Library (SDCL) may have just the thing for you.
Besides the traditional resource of books on the shelves, the library has a whole arsenal of help for students: live one-on-one online tutoring, web pages full of homework resources specifically for elementary students and teens, an on-line “ask a reference librarian” feature and the ability to text a librarian during library hours.
“SDCL’s ‘virtual branch’ makes the library available to students where, how, and when they need it”, said Polly Cipparrone, Community Relations Manager for SDCL.
The library’s website is full of assistance for inquiring students. The Homework Help page for elementary age students features resources for math, science and nature, biographies, art and music, computers, literature and history. Resources are also available in Spanish.
Older students surfing to the Teen Lounge website will find information on careers, economics, math, science, the arts, social studies and biographies and the language arts. Spanish reference sites are also listed.
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Online tutoring is available through Brainfuse, describe as “on demand, anytime anywhere eLearning”. Brainfuse is one of the nation’s leading online education providers.
Available seven days a week from 1:00 to 10:00 p.m., live tutors are available in math, science, reading and writing and social studies. Help is also provided for students studying for PSAT/SAT, ACT, AP and state standardized tests.
When a live tutor isn’t available, the site offers a 24/7 homework question center and the ability to submit essays and other writings 24 hours a day for constructive feedback.
A SDCL library card is required for the Brainfuse services.
You can also log on to www.sdcl.org and type in a question for a reference librarian, or even easier, you can simply text a question to 619-928-2251 and a librarian will text you the answer if you ask your question during open library hours. The service is free unless you pay for texts on your phone and then normal text messaging rates would apply.
