Curiosity Sparks Success
Each great person started out the same—as a child with the world in front of them. There are limitless possibilities open to them.
During this time of social distancing and isolation, we want to help you keep your kids busy and engaged! Click here to see the list of activities that you can use right from your living room!
It’s easy to set your child up for a lifetime of success. In fact, you’re probably doing it without even realizing it. Every time you sing, play, rhyme, and read you are investing in your child’s future by building literacy skills, making learning fun, encouraging creativity, and sparking curiosity.
The smallest steps have the biggest impact. Discover how Stark Library helps the youngest members in our community start off on the right foot.
Early literacy is the knowledge a child develops about reading and writing before actually learning to read or write. By holding a book or listening to stories, children have a better chance at succeeding in school, which translates into positive outcomes later in life.
New Picture Books
New Children's Books
More Children's Services
Homeschool – WHAT?
Parents and caregivers are scrambling to find good resources for teaching their kids at home, and we’ve tried to make it easier on you. On this page you'll find great online resources – from the fun and wacky, like mad science projects you can do at home, to exploring the world with virtual tours to National Parks, Zoos, and Museums.
Be sure to check back regularly, as we’ll be updating this page often!
Learning & Reading Activities
Art Activities
Fun activities
Virtual Tours
Virtual Story Times
Cool Things for Teens
Exercise
Get those kids off the couch and moving around to get the wiggles out!
Podcasts
Downloadable books for Kids
Picture Books
Kids Books
Books for Tweens
Books for Teens
| https://www.youtube.com/user/GoNoodleGames/featured |
Are you looking for truly outstanding works of literary art? These lists of award winning books represent some of the best of what was produced for the year. Whether you are looking for a great read for yourself or to give as a gift, these lists are great places to start your reading journey.
Caldecott Award Medal
Caldecott Medal Winners
The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
Find Caldecott Medal Winners in our catalog
Newbery Medal Winners
The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
Find Newbery Award Winners in our catalog
Coretta Scott King Award
Coretta Scott King Award Winners
The Coretta Scott King Book Award is presented annually by the Coretta Scott King Committee of the American Library Association's Ethnic Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT). The award (or awards) is given to an African American author and an African American illustrator for an outstandingly inspirational and educational contribution.
Transforming Our World One Child at a Time
At Stark Library we know that good habits are formed early. That’s why we make it our goal to help the youngest members in our community get off to their best start! Our GUIDE initiative focuses on providing information, resources, and tools that help parents, caregivers, and educators raise up children who love to read and want to learn. And, of course, like everything else at the Library, all of the resources we provide are FREE.
Fun, Free Resources for Parents and Children
Check Out These Great Links for Early Reading:
- The Center for Early Literacy Learning
- Reach Out and Read
- Zero to Three
- Get Ready to Read
- Starfall
- Your local branch of the Stark Library
The Ohio Digital Library for Kids is now available. This site is designed for younger users and only includes content with juvenile subjects. To get to the new site, follow the link from the main site or go directly to OhioeBooks.org/kids. All Juvenile content will still be accessible from the main Ohio Digital Library site as well this new option.
Children and families also can search for titles focusing on their favorite storybook characters. The collection includes more than 5,500 children's titles including such favorites as Clifford, Berenstein Bears and Fancy Nancy for younger readers; Judy Moody and the Magic Treehouse series for middle readers; and C.S. Lewis, Lemony Snicket, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter for older kids. Subjects include fiction and non-fiction, comic and graphic novels, history, humor, mystery and suspense, picture books, science and nature, science fiction and fantasy, and sports and health. The new site also allows searches according to interest or reading levels. For help deciding what level is correct for your child, visit this help page.
Library eBooks are compatible for downloading on most eReaders, tablets and mobile devices running the free Kindle app, as well as smartphones, iOS and Android devices. Using their Library card, patrons may download up to 25 items at a time for loan periods ranging from 7 to 21 days or access items from their browser.
Homework can be tough, but we’re here to help! Visit any of the links below to find easy-to-use and digest information on thousands of subjects including language arts, geography, history, social studies, world cultures & languages, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health, and so much more. Not finding what you need? Simply use the search bar at the top of the page to access or endless and FREE resources here at Stark Library.
NOTE: Make sure to have your library card number first so you can sign in.
Featured
NEW: Kids InfoBits features easy to use age-appropriate (K-5), reliable, curriculum-related content covering a broad range of educational topics like animals, science, sports, technology, health, social studies and more. It is a great resource for young learners to research for school reports or personal development.
NEW: Very Short Introductions provides concise, intelligent introductions to a diverse range of subject areas written by experts in their fields. It is the perfect way to get a head start on challenging or complex topics.
Mango Languages - Mango utilizes a proprietary methodology, engaging interface, and easy, intuitive interactive tools to deliver practical conversational skills and valuable cultural insight for a foreign language. Lessons include strategically placed memory-building exercises to help users remember what they are learning in addition to critical thinking exercises, which help them to intuitively understand the language and adapt it to similar conversations.
World Book for Kids The World Book encyclopedia designed to help with school or personal research
World Book Advanced - a powerful reference tool that includes encyclopedia, multimedia, e-book, and primary source databases, fully integrated in a single search. Research tools, including dictionary, atlas, and local and country research guides, help users compile the data and information they need to complete their assignments and background research.
Funk and Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia - over 25,000 encyclopedia articles covering a variety of subject areas (no illustrations). Search by title if you have a specific topic.
Elementary School
NEW: Kids InfoBits features easy to use age-appropriate (K-5), reliable, curriculum-related content covering a broad range of educational topics like animals, science, sports, technology, health, social studies and more. It is a great resource for young learners to research for school reports or personal development.
World Book Early World of Learning - The Early World of Learning is the premier online resource for preschoolers and children in the early elementary grades. Developed with experts on early childhood education, the Early World of Learning offers rich resources designed for easy integration into the classroom curriculum.
World Book for Kids The World Book encyclopedia designed to help with school or personal research
World Book Advanced - World Book Advanced is a powerful reference tool that includes encyclopedia, multimedia, e-book, and primary source databases, fully integrated in a single search. Research tools, including dictionary, atlas, and local and country research guides, help users compile the data and information they need to complete their assignments and background research.
Primary Search - Containing full-text for more than 80 of the most popular elementary school magazines. All full-text articles are assigned a reading level indicator (Lexiles), which allows users to read along at their own pace. Also, Primary Search features Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, providing students with easy-to-read encyclopedic entries written specifically for kids. In addition, this database provides access to a collection of more than one million images of relevant photos, maps and flags to aid kids in learning.
Mango Languages - Mango utilizes a proprietary methodology, engaging interface, and easy, intuitive interactive tools to deliver practical conversational skills and valuable cultural insight for a foreign language. Lessons include strategically placed memory-building exercises to help users remember what they are learning in addition to critical thinking exercises, which help them to intuitively understand the language and adapt it to similar conversations.
NEW: Transparent Languages features fun, effective, and engaging courses to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in over 100 languages, including English for non-English speakers.
NEW: What Tree Is It? helps identify and learn more about trees by leaf, fruit, or name, using an easy interactive tool.
NEW: What’s That Snake? helps identify and learn more about the snake you've found by sight or name, using an easy interactive tool.
NEW: What’s the Point? - Identifying Flint Artifacts helps identify flint artifacts you've to learn more about the usage and cultures that created them.
Middle School
Middle Search Plus
Provides articles from magazines covering general topics for late elementary, middle, and junior high students.
Mango Languages - Mango utilizes a proprietary methodology, engaging interface, and easy, intuitive interactive tools to deliver practical conversational skills and valuable cultural insight for a foreign language. Lessons include strategically placed memory-building exercises to help users remember what they are learning in addition to critical thinking exercises, which help them to intuitively understand the language and adapt it to similar conversations.
NEW: Transparent Languages features fun, effective, and engaging courses to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in over 100 languages, including English for non-English speakers.
Science Reference Center - is designed for students in grades 6 through 12, researching any variety of subjects. Full text. Peer reviewed. 1965-present.
World Book Hispanica / Hispanica Saber - the Gran Enciclopedia Hispánica online is a comprehensive Spanish-language encyclopedia that includes over 100,000 articles, more than 9,000 images and maps, and nearly 1,000 videos, animations, sounds, and interactive media. It is designed for native Spanish speakers, bilingual students, and ESL/ELL program participants.
NEW: What Tree Is It? helps identify and learn more about trees by leaf, fruit, or name, using an easy interactive tool.
NEW: What’s That Snake? helps identify and learn more about the snake you've found by sight or name, using an easy interactive tool.
NEW: What’s the Point? - Identifying Flint Artifacts helps identify flint artifacts you've to learn more about the usage and cultures that created them.
High School
Fast context on society, politics, science, and more
Very Short Introductions provides concise, intelligent introductions to a diverse range of subject areas written by experts in their fields. It is the perfect way to get a head start on challenging or complex topics.
Global Issues In Context offers international viewpoints on a broad spectrum of global issues, topics, and current events. Featured are hundreds of issue and country portals that bring together relevant sources, podcasts, video, and interactive graphs.
Opposing Viewpoints In Context provides information and opinions on hundreds of today's hottest social issues. The database features topic overviews, full-text magazines, academic journals, news articles, primary source documents, statistics, images, videos, audio files and links to vetted websites in a user-friendly experience.
Points of View Reference Center - designed to assist researchers in understanding the full scope of controversial subjects. High school and undergraduate students can use Points of View as a guide to debating, developing arguments, writing position papers, and developing critical thinking skills. EachPoints of View Essay includes a series of questions and additional material to generate further thought. Also included are thousands of supporting articles from the world’s top political and societal publications. The Points of View Debate Blog is a forum for students to express and exchange their unique views on topics in the news.
Literacy
American and English Full Text Literature Collections - The American & English Literature Collection contains many works of poetry, drama, and prose based on books and other sources originally published in print. It also contains 21 historic editions of the Bible in English.
Literature Resource Center contains up-to-date biographical information, overviews, full-text literary criticism and reviews on more than 130,000 writers in all disciplines, from all time periods and from around the world.
NoveList Plus - NoveList Plus is the premiere database of reading recommendations, available through libraries around the world. It is a comprehensive source of information about books that includes expert recommendations, reviews, articles, lists and more.
Learn a Language
Mango Languages - Mango utilizes a proprietary methodology, engaging interface, and easy, intuitive interactive tools to deliver practical conversational skills and valuable cultural insight for a foreign language. Lessons include strategically placed memory-building exercises to help users remember what they are learning in addition to critical thinking exercises, which help them to intuitively understand the language and adapt it to similar conversations.
NEW: Transparent Languages features fun, effective, and engaging courses to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in over 100 languages, including English for non-English speakers.
Science & Technology
Science Reference Center
Designed to meet every student's science research needs, Science Reference Center contains full text for hundreds of science encyclopedias, reference books, periodicals, and other sources.
Computer Source - provides journal articles about technology. Full text. Peer reviewed. 1965-present.
Research and Encyclopedias
Academic Search Premier - A popular resource found in many academic settings worldwide, this resource was designed for the premier researcher, rich with the most valuable, comprehensive multidisciplinary content available. As a leading scholarly database, it provides access to acclaimed full-text journals, magazines, and other valuable resources.
JSTOR provides access to more than 12 million academic journal articles, books, and primary sources in 75 disciplines. It's a great source for student or faculty research. Temporarily available anywhere in the world with your library card; normally only available in the Library or when connected to the Library's wireless service.
MAS Ultra - School Edition - Designed specifically for high school libraries, MAS Ultra School Edition contains full text for hundreds of popular high school magazines covering a wide-range of subject areas including history, science, careers and much more.
Newsbank Online chronicles local and national newspapers with full-page newspaper images, individual articles, and even content only published online. Full text content archived beginning in 1978! View Repository Archives | View National Archives
NEW: Oxford Research Encyclopedias features in-depth, peer-reviewed overviews on an ever-growing range of topics and disciplines. Subject summaries are written by experts in their fields and are kept up to date. Designed to fill you in on a topic in 30 minutes or less.
Explora provides easy-to-use features and reliable content from the world’s leading magazines and reference books on thousands of topics covering a wide range of subjects including art & music, literature, language arts, geography, history, social studies, world cultures & languages, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health, and sports.
Teachers
ERIC - The Education Resource Information Center provides access to educational literature and resources. This database provides access to information from journals included in the Current Index of Journals in Education and Resources in Education Index.
Literary Reference Center - This comprehensive, full-text database provides a broad spectrum of information on thousands of authors and their works across literary disciplines and timeframes—to give students, professors, and researchers a foundation of literary reference works to meet their research needs.
Middle and Junior High Core Collection - For readers in grades five through nine, this is a collection development tool containing titles for nonfiction works, fiction and collections for children and adolescents. Selected and recommended by collection development specialists at 3 recommendation levels, listed books encompass a wide variety of topics for youth.
Senior High Core Collection - This collection is a selective list of fiction and non-fiction titles—recommended by collection development specialists—for high school students (grades 9 through 12), along with review sources and other professional aids.
TOPICsearch - Teachers, librarians and student researchers can explore current events, social, political and economic issues, scientific discoveries and other popular topics frequently discussed in the classroom. TOPICsearch contains full text for tens of thousands of articles from diverse sources, including international newspapers, EBSCO's unparalleled collection of periodicals, biographies, public opinion polls, book reviews, pamphlets and government information.
