Schaumburg Library encourages community to use digital services

While Schaumburg Township District Library's buildings in Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and Hanover Park are closed due to COVID-19, the library's executive director is encouraging the community to use its many digital services.

Residents can apply for a library card online to get immediate access to the library's online resources at SchaumburgLibrary.org.

"There is so much available with a library card," said Executive Director Annie Miskewitch. "Everyone from children to seniors can find entertainment, educational resources, movies, business resources and so much more."

By going to SchaumburgLibrary.org, library card holders have access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming movies, music and television shows. During a time when movie theaters and other entertainment venues are closed, this resource may prove valuable to all those sheltering-in-place or quarantined.

All ages will find fun ways to get creative with Creativebug, offering high-quality, on-trend arts and crafts instructional videos on drawing, painting, sewing, knitting and more. Creativebug can be accessed on the library's website by clicking on "E-Library" and "Online Learning."

Though in-person programs have been canceled, many daily activities are posted on the library's website. Acts of kindness suggestions, movies and plays, crafts, book clubs, storytimes and more are available.

The Kindness Calendar, which can be found at SchaumburgLibrary.org/kindness, has ideas for spreading some love in the community. The library is asking residents to tag their act-of-kindness photos on social media by using @schaumlib and #BeKind.

For anyone who wants to learn something new or needs homework help, the library's online learning resources include Brainfuse Help Now, which provides online tutors and practice tests for ACT, SAT, AP, GED, TOEFL and U.S. citizenship.

Gale Courses is a series of six-week courses led by experts in a variety of subjects, while LyndaLibrary helps users learn technology and career skills with video tutorials.

Treehouse offers beginner to advanced courses taught by experts in subjects including web design and development, mobile and game development. Safari Books online has books and in-depth training videos on many technology topics, and Vidcode helps high school and middle school students learn coding skills.

For those who want to learn a language, the library's website offers Mango Languages and Pronunciator. All of these are available under the "Online Learning" heading at SchaumburgLibrary.org.

"We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy, and using our free resources for entertainment, education, and creative opportunities," Miskewitch said. "It's a challenging time for everyone, but the library is still here to help in any way we can."