Community Notes: Library offers lots of online resources during coronavirus isolation

By Annette Dean, Director, Charles City Public Library

Hello to everyone from a library staff that really misses all of you.

As many of you know, the library closed to the public on March 17 due to the coronavirus pandemic. We had hoped to re-open after a couple of weeks, however on April 6th the governor closed all libraries until the end of April.

With this closure we were forced to stop providing a pick-up service for our patrons because we could no longer allow you to come into the building. Please keep your materials as the book drops have also been closed, all due dates have been extended and no fees will be charged.

We anxiously await our re-opening and hope to add back a pick-up service in a few weeks. Until then, you may be wondering what your library can offer you.

All of our electronic resources are available remotely. Don’t remember what electronic resources we have? Let me remind you.

BRIDGES — As many of you know, BRIDGES is our primary source for digital content. It has a wide selection of downloadable audiobooks, eBooks, magazines and movies.

Download the overdrive app or Libby app to your device today to begin reading, listening or watching! Patrons may check out five items at a time for two weeks at a time. Titles are automatically deleted from your device so no need to worry about late fees!

KANOPY — Our digital video streaming service offers more than 30,000 titles. It has a wide range of critically acclaimed movies and documentaries. There is also a separate children’s selection with animated books and movies. You have 10 checkouts per month on your library card, but currently we are able to offer unlimited access to the Great Courses Series and all children’s materials.

ANCESTRY.COM — One of the most popular genealogy databases is currently available from home. This resource, which is normally only available inside the library, provides a wealth of genealogical resources including census records and military records.

HERITAGE QUEST — This is our second option available for digital genealogy resources. Heritage quest has census, city directories and historical newspapers.

TRANSPARENT LANGUAGE — Now is an excellent time to learn a new language for next year’s trip. This resource is available on any device that can access the internet. It has a great mobile version and offers 110 languages. Transparent Language is paid for in part by the State Library of Iowa.

CREDO REFERENCE — Suddenly find yourself trying to help your children do research for a project? Credo reference should be your first source. It comes complete with a wide range of encyclopedias, dictionaries and other traditional reference sources.

Credo will also link you to other resources such as newspaper articles, journal articles and digital books available through our Gale database collection. This resource is paid for in part by the State Library of Iowa.

GALE DATABASES — Our Gale databases offer information on a wide variety of topics. If you are trying to fix your car (Chilton library), find that next book to download (books and authors), looking for a magazine to read (General Onefile), or simply want a database that your kids can easily use that they won’t get into trouble with (Kids Infobits), Gale is your go to resource. This resource is paid in part by the State Library of Iowa.

FREEGAL — Download five songs per week from your home! Freegal provides the Sony Music Collection at your fingertips. This resource is paid for by the generous support of Charles City Public Library Foundation.

BRAINFUSE — Brainfuse is the perfect resource to use if you are taking this time to update your resume or look for a new profession. It offers live interview and resume coaching, as well as resume templates and veterans resources.

It also offers eParachute which will pair you with career fields depending on your interests. This resource is paid for by the State Library of Iowa.

FOUNDATION DIRECTORY — If your office is closed to the public it might be a good time to see what grants are available for your future projects. Foundation Directory is normally only available inside the library, but it has granted us temporary remote access during our closure.

This directory includes everything you need to know about grants. It has past grant histories and can be used to find the right grant for your project. This resource is paid for by the State Library of Iowa.

TUMBLE BOOKS — Finally, the Tumble Book Company has allowed free access to all libraries to their wonderful audiobooks and animated books during the summer. Their collection includes audiobooks for adults, teens and children.

Tumble Math features math picture books, lessons and quizzes, and Tumble Book Library is an online collection of animated, talking picture books for young children. Take time to explore Teen Book Cloud, Romance Book Cloud and Audiobook Cloud to help fill your reading and listening needs.

It is our hope that we will get to see all of your smiling faces, mask-free in the near future, but for now please use these resources to ease the time in quarantine.

All of our resources are available via the catalog tab on our webpage, www.charles-city.lib.ia.us.

If you need a library card, please call and we will set you up with a temporary one. We have also extended our wireless access into our parking lot so that you may sit in your car and use it if needed.

We will continue adding news and resources to our website and to our Facebook page as it becomes available. Don’t miss our Zoom storytimes on Friday mornings and other activities. You can contact the library at 641-257-6319 or www.charles-city.lib.ia.us for details, or see access directions on Thursdays on our Facebook page.

Stay safe and healthy.