The Library... a Homeschooler's Best FREE Friend.  When I was a new homeschooling parent, I would take trips to the Library with an agenda like a research student. I had this fantasy that I would sit with a wise Librarian who would know just the right books I would need for every subject I was teaching. The reality was, it was more like a guy standing behind a counter looking through key word searches online in the Library system... just like I could do at home!
Soon after we started homeschooling, a new building went in next to our local Library. The parking lot was cut down to five spaces, two of which were marked Handicapped. So, we were forced out. We took our first trip to the neighborhood brand close to our home. I had previously written this branch off because of it's small size. I figured it wouldn't have as much to offer. I'm happy to say that I was proved wrong. As soon as we walked in, a kind woman asked what we were looking for. We told her and she proceeded to spend the next 45 minutes sitting with us, talking and asking questions, searching and mulling over just the right books to put on hold. It turns out she was a research Librarian for a University in her previous job and she LOVES research. This wonderful Librarian asked me if I had an Educator's card. A what? It turns out, that if you show written proof that you homeschool, you can apply for a special Library account that offers all kinds of great benefits. In our county, my Educator's card allows me to have no late fees, longer check outs, and endless holds from other Libraries. Every county is different, so I recommend asking your local branch. The other thing this amazing Librarian introduced me to, are all of the great online learning resources that are offered to us for free through my account. Here are just a few: InfoTrac Student Edition This periodical database is designed for high school students, with access to a variety of indexed and full-text magazines, newspapers and reference books. Novelist Plus Novelist will help you find a good book. The database provides readers’ advisory, read-alikes, and "What to Read Next?" information covering over 100,000 titles. Pronunciator Pronunciator is a language-learning service with 80 languages and 4,000 available courses. Learn how to speak a foreign language with the help of a variety of interactive techniques. Science in Context An in-depth, curriculum-oriented science database that provides a one-stop resource for all science-related research needs. The lesson to be learned? Search around for a great Librarian, not just a great Library, register for an Educator's Card, and start using all the FREE educational resources the Library offers. Oh, did I mention free Cultural Passes to Museums and Resources Centers? Okay, we're off to the Library now to pick up our books on the History of France. Later we'll do our French Lessons using the Pronunciator. As always, for homeschooling ideas go to Blossom Learning. Happy homeschooling!
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