We usually think of our library’s online resources as homework help, but in summertime kids can use them to explore the topics they really love.
1. Animals- Who doesn’t love animals? Online encyclopedias include pictures and even video, along with articles on everything from aardvarks to zebras.
2. Places- Young travelers can find out about, or just plain find, destinations near and far in geography and history resources.
3. Celebrities- Whether they’re into sports, movies, or music, biography and news databases are keeping up with kids’ favorite stars.
4. Family- Tap genealogy resources to clarify the family tree when visiting relatives. Figure out who’s a third cousin and who’s a second cousin once removed or find great-grandma in the 1930 census.
5. Weird stuff- News sites just for kids include many stories of the bizarre. Is it true that an accountant fell on a crocodile? Look it up!
Have you tried marketing your databases for summer or used them in a program? We’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Blog post by Rachel Wood
Arlington Public Library
ALSC Digital Content Task Force