While you’re at home, here are 6 fun things to do. Get lost in a book, learn a new skill, catch up on the news, or interview a loved one. There’s a lot available to do remotely while schools are closed, for free from home.
1. Browse or search through the library, virtually
Use this map to look at what’s in the library. When you find something, you can request it for pick-up or delivery!
2. Check out what Island Libraries have to offer.
All MV Public Libraries are part of the Clams Library Network. Use your Clams Library Card to access ebooks and audiobooks through Overdrive. Overdrive has a new app called Libby that makes downloading and reading the thousands of ebooks they have to offer that much easier and enjoyable.
Don’t have a library card? You can get one from home! The MV Libraries will set anyone up with a new library card so that they can have digital access – all you need to do is contact your home library through their websites.
3. Get a Boston Public Library Card (free online).
The Boston Public Library offers access to thousands of ebooks and audiobooks in a variety of formats. Even if you’ve never visited the BPL and don’t have a library card, you can get an ecard for free, in just a few minutes, by signing-up on the BPL website.
Browse through recommendations or search for what you want in the BPL Catalog. You can limit your search by format (for example, ebooks, audiobooks, and even streaming video).
Hoopla
The Boston Public Library offers an ebook and digital streaming service called Hoopla that is free for all. It includes ebooks, movies, tv shows, comics, and music.
Once you have your card number and pin, sign up on the Hoopla website, and select the Boston Public Library as your library. It will then ask for your library card number and pin. And away you go….
Kanopy
The BPL also offers access to 4 videos per month through Kanopy, a streaming video service. Use your BPL ecard to set up an account.
Check out what else the BPL has to offer from home.
4. Check out these publishers and others who offer free ebooks and audiobooks.
Audible Stories
Audible has made a great collection of audiobooks available for free for as long as school is closed.
Junior Library Guild
This provider of high-interest books has made them available to read or listen to free through their website and mobile app while you’re at home.
Internet Archive
The Internet Archive (archive.org) is “a non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, websites, and more”. By creating a free account you can actually borrow material (ebooks, audio, video) that’s under copyright.
LibriVox
Free public domain audiobooks read by volunteers.
Lit2Go
Lit2Go is a free online collection of stories and poems in audiobook format.
Abdo Digital Bookshelf
Abdo is a publisher of non-fiction books including biographies, history, current events, science and more. Their books are available for free through June 2020.
5. Learn@Home with Youtube.
Learn@Home With Youtube includes channels with amazing, fun, and educational content, from the Amoeba Sisters to Veritasium and everyone in-between.
6. Read the news.
Stay up-to-date with writing by some of the world’s best journalists. The New York Times is offering free access until July 6th to all students and teachers. Look in your email inbox for “New York Times Digital Subscription Order Confirmation” to open your free account. If you don’t see that email, let Mr. McGrath know.
7. Interview a loved one with StoryCorps.
“Developed in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, StoryCorps Connect is a first-of-its-kind platform that enables you to record a StoryCorps interview with a loved one remotely using video conference technology. “