Catawba County News
Back to School with Your Library
Published: September 03, 2024
Summer is coming to an end and students of all ages are returning to school. Whether you are learning how to read and write, starting your senior year of high school, or need a refresher on how to use NCLive for college papers, Catawba County Library is here to support all of your back to school needs.
The library offers a multitude of learning resources for virtual and in-person learning. The library has study rooms equipped for virtual meetings, WiFi hotspot and Chromebook lending, desktop computers for in-library use, Homework Helpers, Paws to Read, and free access to NC LIVE, Northstar Digital Literacy, Transparent Languages, and online tutorials.
The library installed five state-of-the-art work spaces at the Main Library in Newton late last year. These specialized soundproof office spaces, complete with high-quality video conferencing technology, are available for the community to use for privacy and virtual meeting needs. The library has been thrilled to hear how helpful these spaces have already proven to be for community members. Our meeting and study room spaces located at the Sherrills Ford-Terrell, St. Stephens, and Southwest Branch Libraries, and the Main Library in Newton have provided a place for studying, remote work, private phone calls, online education classes, Zoom meetings, and telehealth. All library locations have computers, tables, and WiFi hotspot and Chromebook lending (check out just like you would a book) available to the public. WiFi hotspots and Chromebooks can be checked out by Catawba County residents with a library card, and offer longer checkout periods for students.
Homework Helpers are high school student and adult volunteersthat help elementary and middle-school children with homework and reading practice. High School students can earn service hours at the library with our Homework Helpers program while younger students can receive assistance with their studies. To help our youngest learners build comfort in their skills, the library brings in local therapy dogs for PAWS to Read sessions. Children who read aloud to therapy dogs on a regular basis demonstrate dramatic improvement in their reading skills, thanks to the safe, non-judgmental presence of man’s best friend.
The library also offers a wealth of online resources that come with your library card. Access them from your personal device at home or wherever you are! You can download e-books, stream movies or music, watch tv shows, and listen to audiobooks through Libby and Hoopla. NC LIVE is the digital home to more than 100 databases for education and enrichment including access to online tutorials and self-paced guides, academic journals and articles, reliable healthcare information through MedlinePlus, and learning one of the 110+ languages through Transparent Language. The library is now offering its newest available resource, Northstar Digital Literacy. Northstar is a free self-guided online set of assessments that show your ability to perform basic computer tasks, complete with learning resources and certificates to provide credentials for employers and higher education requirements.
As you gear up for the new school year, remember that the Catawba County Library is your partner in educational success, offering a wealth of resources, technology, and support to help you achieve your academic goals and beyond.
