By Kerry Addica and Hanako Moondance
“The knowledge of all things is possible.” —Leonardo da Vinci
The Santa Monica Public Library has long been a free source of information and inspiration to support lifelong learning. Stop by any of the library's five locations and you can check out up to 50 books, movies, music CDs and other items at a time.
But, did you know you can also access digital versions of these resources from the comfort of your home, 24/7, with your computer, tablet or smartphone? Your library card provides free access to e-books, downloadable audiobooks, streaming music and video — with no late fees! The library also provides online access to newspapers and magazines, test preparation, resume and career resources, language learning and more.
With school starting up, now's a great time to try out some of our online learning resources. Whether you're a parent who wants to find an exciting way to engage your child in reading, a student in need of tutoring support or an adult interested in furthering your education, SMPL has the resources for you. Below are just a few of our e-resources for children, teens and adults.
Tumblebooks has electronic books for kids of all ages.
o For the youngest readers, Tumblebooks offers animated, talking books with music, sounds and narration. Children can follow the words with picture, story, and non-fiction books in this collection.
o A selection of picture books in Spanish, French and other languages supports early language learning.
o For older readers, Tumblebooks offers e-books, including chapter books and graphic novels.
o National Geographic videos engage children in visual learning.
o Puzzles, crosswords and matching games are available as supplemental materials to the storybooks.
Brainfuse HelpNow is an online tutoring resource that features live services from 1 to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Tutoring is available for students in grades 3-12 as well as for those taking introductory college courses.
o Subjects include: English, Math, Writing, Science, Social Studies and Spanish language learning.
o Live assistance is available for all grade levels, in English or Spanish.
o Tutors answer live chat questions and can assess and critique written documents.
o HelpNow offers private virtual study rooms for students who want to collaborate with peers.
Learning Express Library has tutorials and materials to support students in high school and beyond.
o The college preparation center helps high school students with the ACT, SAT and AP Exams through practice tests, interactive tutorials, e-books and support with college admissions essays.
o The equivalency center offers tutorials and practice tests for the GED.
o The adult learning center has resources for math, reading, writing and citizenship, as well as practice tests for Civil Service and other occupational exams.
o Learning Express Library has full length video guides explaining how to use the database, take a test or download and use an e-book.
Adult Learning Center helps adults with learning and skill building at any step in their lives, whether going back to school, switching jobs, or wanting to improve their reading, writing or math skills.
o The Adult Learning Center provides high school equivalency preparation help.
o Career resources include tips on conducting an effective job search and how to write a winning resume and cover letter.
o The 24/7 Writing Lab provides expert feedback on documents within one business day, as well as live one-on-one tutors seven days a week from 1 to 10 p.m.
o Experts are featured in courses and live instruction on how to use Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
o Study materials and practice tests help adults prepare for the U.S. Citizenship test.
For assistance with any of these resources, please call the Reference Desk at (310) 434-2608, email reference@smgov.net, or visit any Santa Monica Public Library location. A Santa Monica Public Library card is available free to all California residents. Valid photo ID and proof of current address are required.
Raised in a working-class community outside London, Kerry Addica completed her undergraduate degree in Comparative Ancient Civilizations and is currently completing her master's in Library and Information Science. Motivated by her passion for the written word, Kerry is a consultant for numerous Oscar-nominated screenwriters and directors.
Hanako Moondance was born and raised in Santa Monica and a lifetime patron of the Santa Monica Public Library. She completed her undergraduate degree in Spanish Literature at Wesleyan University and recently completed her master's in Library Science with a focus in Youth Services and Storytelling.
