Kimberly Day, Manager of the Earl Teen Center

Hey everyone! You’re out of school right now, but that doesn’t mean you have to let your studies slip during these strange times. Plus, it helps to have something to think about other than the news, right? Well, we are here for you!

Working on your school packet and stuck on a math problem? Trying to write a paper for English class and need help organizing your thoughts? Or just want to up your score for the SAT or GED test? We’ve got your back, and we pay for it, so you don’t have to!

Log on to the HelpNow (Brainfuse) resource on the prattlibrary.org site for free, online, and live one-on-one help from experienced and vetted tutors. All you need is your library card number. Don’t have your physical library card? Just sign up for an eCard and get instant access to all of our online resources (be sure to choose “digital” from the “your library” choices). 

Students in elementary, middle, and high school (and yes, adults too!) have free access to many online study resources every day from 2pm-11:55pm. 

What can HelpNow do for you? 

Once you log in, you can choose which direction you’d like to go. Need one-on-one help with something? Choose the “Live Tutoring” option. Want to send in a question but you don’t need immediate help?

Choose “Send Question” and get a response from a tutor within 24 hours. Want to see how the rough draft of your paper looks? Submit it to the “Writing Lab,” and get a detailed analysis by email. Then, connect with an online tutor for further help. Want to put a study group together, but can’t because of “social distancing”? Set up a session in “MEET,” and collaborate on projects, study for tests, and more! You can also get help for all major college prep and GED tests, or just discover the right career and/or college major for you!

There is so much this resource can do, but you’ll have to see for yourself! For teens who need book recommendations (or help with anything else), please feel free to email teen@prattlibrary.org, and your Teen Librarians will help you out with that! Of course, they will need to be eBooks, or Audiobooks right now, but hey! We provide those for free too!

Looking for a great book to read? The Lucky Day collection can help! It’s full of titles from bestselling authors that are available to download instantly. With eBooks and eAudiobooks available with no wait, The Lucky Day collection is the perfect addition while you are practicing social distancing. 

By Cornelia Beckett, Program Specialist

My favorite children’s book of the past year, Oge Mora’s gorgeously collaged Saturday, has proved to be more timely than ever. The plot is simple and realistic to many working families’ lives: Ava’s mom works all week except for Saturday, so that day is their special time together. They go to the library for story time, get their hair done, go to the park, and maybe go somewhere extra-special like a puppet show.

Except— this Saturday, story time is canceled, a splash from a passing bus ruins their hair, the park is too noisy, and they forget the tickets to the puppet show. At home, Ava’s mother “wails” that she’s ruined their special day. Ava reassures her mother: “Saturday is special because I spend it with you.” The final pages of the book are of Ava and her mother creatively making their own puppets and putting on a show with what they have at home.

With everything canceled, with families inside together, and with a need to reframe unexpected circumstances—Ava and her mom even pause together to take a deep breath every time they face a setback—Saturday models healthy coping strategies, adaptation and the priceless meaning of family time.

Here’s a video of the author and illustrator reading it herself:

Mora’s Thank You, Omu! is also available to check out. Download the Read-Along version here.

While schools are closed, learning must go on! The Pratt Library has resources to assist with the move from the classroom to the home. All you need to have to access HelpNow is a Pratt Library card. Don’t have one? Not to worry, you can always get a Pratt eCard here. Take a look at them below!

BookFlix

BookFlix is designed for children from Kindergarten to 3rd grade. With bright and colorful animation, rich audio, and interactive games, kids can develop their reading skills and early learning concepts.

This family-friendly reading program that pairs fiction and nonfiction books. There’s even books available in Spanish!

Learn more

HelpNow

With just a click of a button, students can be connected with expert tutors and other helpful tools. Students can receive assistance with one-on-one homework help, state-aligned skills building, and a 24-hour writing lab.  

Also, we are excited about the brand new feature that HelpNow offers called MEET. MEET is an easy-to-use tool where students can invite others, choose a date and time, and then create the study session. Sessions take place through the Brainfuse whiteboard.

Learn more

Are you looking for something both educational and fun for your children to watch? Look no further than Kanopy Kids! There’s plenty of programming to pick from including popular PBS Kids titles. What makes it even better is that it’s unlimited viewing so they can watch as many Kanopy Kids programs as they want.

To access Kanopy Kids visit here and click Go to Kanopy Kids: on the top right side of the screen.

Here’s a list of some of our favorite programs on Kanopy Kids.