COVID-19 Resource Guide

While the library is closed, we have compiled this list of free resources available online for you to use.

Please check back regularly as this list will be updated.

Click here for Coronavirus and your Library

 

All Ages

COVID-19 Information

Employment, Finance, & Business

Youth

Tweens & Teens

Adults & Seniors

All-Ages Resources

Fine & Performing Arts

  • Google Arts & Culture  – Explore collections from around the world with Google Arts & Culture, created by the Google Cultural Institute. Discover millions of artworks, historical sites, and stories, any time and anywhere in stunning detail.
  • Metropolitan Opera – A free HD streamed Opera daily; each opera is available starting at 6:30 pm and is removed at 3:30 pm the next day.
  • Weiner Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) – Daily broadcasting of recordings of previous opera and ballet performances that remain available for 24 hours each.
  • Berlin Philharmonic – Redeem code BERLINPHIL by March 31, and receive free access to all concerts and films in the Digital Concert Hall.
  • Look for your favorite musicians and bands on social media, many are streaming free concerts online. Examples include: Chris Martin (Coldplay), Keith Urban, John Legend, P!nk, Neil Young, and the Dropkick Murphys.
  • Lincoln Center Online – Live performances via the Lincoln Center website, along with some classes mixed in.

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Nature

  • Explore.org – Live Nature Cams & Documentary Films. Explore.org is the world’s leading philanthropic live nature cam network and documentary film channel.
  • DuPage County Forest Preserves – The preserves are OPEN including parking lots, trails, off-leash dog areas. Closed are buildings, restrooms, preserves with animal care, archery range, model craft fields. They also have a lot of ways to enjoy nature and experience the preserves right at home! Videos and activities are posted to keep you busy, so check back often.

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Food & Cooking

  • Massimo Bottura – Michelin-starred chef of Gucci’s Osteria restaurant in LA has launched cooking demonstrations & lessons on his Instagram account.

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Museums, Zoos, & More

  • Smithsonian Institute – Includes links to the 19 buildings, galleries, and exhibits that make up the Smithsonian, including the National Zoo, Natural History Museum, Postal Museum, National Air & Space Museum, and more.
  • Chicago Field Museum – The Chicago Field Museum’s Learning Resources page includes resources on a variety of topics.
  • National Archives Museum – Learn about the Founding Documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
  • Brookfield Zoo – Bring the Zoo to You Facebook Live chats daily at 11:00 am. enjoy a live chat with our animal care staff and some of our animals. We’re going to be bringing you some of the coolest and most interesting animals around while also providing informative sessions that engage and educate.

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To Make & Do

  • Crayola – Free printable coloring pages.

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Learning

  • The Brain Scoop – Educational videos created to bring museum work to a broader audience.
  • Khan Academy – Free online learning, with a variety of subjects for all ages.
  • TED Talks YouTube Channel – Explore the best talks and performances from the TED conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less).
  • ScienceAlert – 5 Space and astronomy activities you can do from the safety of your home right now.
  • NASA – Explore the universe through online activities, eBooks, podcasts, and more
  • FunBrainFree – Stimulating brain games for all ages. Includes simple puzzles, matching games, math games, coordination games, and more.
  • Free Master Gardener Webinars – The Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA) is offering a new Wednesday webinar series, “A Walk in the Garden”, starting on April 8 at noon CT. The webinars offer communal walks through gardens, plant discussions, garden tips, and other gardening inspiration. Registration is required for each free webinar.

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Keep Calm & Be Kind

  • Calm – Free meditation resources including audio and video recordings of soothing meditations, sleep meditations, sleep stories, calm music, soundscapes, yoga, kids meditation practices, and other mindfulness resources.
  • Kindness Resources – We need to distance ourselves, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help each other. During difficult times, we often see the most beautiful acts of kindness.

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Reading

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Sports & Active Lifestyle

  • Y on the Go – Your destination for your favorite family content, fitness classes, and community connections.

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Miscellaneous/Other

  • Adobe: FREE Creative Cloud Access – Adobe is giving students and teachers free, temporary remote access to its Creative Cloud suite of apps. Available, at present, until May 2020. To qualify for free home Adobe CC access, students need to be from a school or college that is an Adobe education customer. It’s not the most straightforward of processes and therefore might not happen immediately. Students will need to go through school IT admins, who can request home access via application form. It might be worth notifying your school or college of the offer, just in case they’re not already aware, to help speed things up. Adobe will evaluate each request, but if your facility is registered, then you should qualify for the temporary license. Adobe: Common questions for Students & Teachers in campuses impacted by COVID-19
  • Comcast: COVID-19 Free Support
    • Free Nationwide Xfinity WiFi Network – Xfinity WiFi hotspots in out-of-home locations will be available for free to anyone who needs them, including non-Xfinity Internet customers, to keep our communities connected with their friends and family.
    • Free Internet Service for Low-Income Families – Low-income families who live in a Comcast service area can sign up as new customers for 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month.

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Volunteering

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Virtual Tours & Online Exhibits

Animals

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Cultural Attractions & Sites

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Science

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Museums

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Children’s Museums

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National Parks

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Nature & Natural Wonders

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COVID-19 Information

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Employment, Finance, & Business

Jobs & Career Services

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Financial & Legal Assistance

  • People’s Resource Center: Rent assistance and other financial assistance will be available by appointment only. Clients need to call (630) 682-5402, ext. 323 for an appointment. Employees will screen each client prior to providing services.
  • Illinois Legal Aid Online – A guide to resources including court forms, legal information, and referrals to free or low-cost legal aid lawyers.
  • Application for Benefits Eligibility – Includes programs for Healthcare, Food, Cash assistance, Community Suppports, and Medicare Savings. Phone number: (800) 843-6154.
  • Housing Assistance in DuPage County – The purpose of this program is to stabilize individuals and families in their existing homes, shorten the amount of time families and individuals stay in shelter, and assist individuals and families with securing affordable housing.

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Mental Health Resources

  • Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance – The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a comprehensive resource for more than 23 million people in the U.S. who live with mood disorders. They provide education, tools, peer support and a wealth of inspiring stories to help you pursue your own path to wellness. Whether you need resources for yourself or someone you care about, DBSA is ready to help.
  • National Alliance on Mental Health, DuPage County – Our mission is to provide support, advocacy and education in order to improve the quality of life of individuals with mental illnesses and their families.

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Local & Small Businesses

10 Ways to Support Your Indie Bookstore Through Coronavirus and Beyond by Josh Cook | March 12, 2020

Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

CARES Act: Full Text – On Friday, March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) became law. It provides valuable assistance to all areas of the United States economy, including the charitable sector.

CARES Act: What Nonprofits Need to Know – The DuPage Foundation provides a summary of key provisions of the CARES Act that apply to the nonprofit sector. Note: This is a current interpretation of the Act, and organizations should seek their own professional counsel with questions before making decisions on whether to take advantage of these programs as the DuPage Foundation does not provide legal or tax advice.

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Mental Health Resources

  • Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance – The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a comprehensive resource for more than 23 million people in the U.S. who live with mood disorders. They provide education, tools, peer support and a wealth of inspiring stories to help you pursue your own path to wellness. Whether you need resources for yourself or someone you care about, DBSA is ready to help.
  • National Alliance on Mental Health, DuPage County – Our mission is to provide support, advocacy and education in order to improve the quality of life of individuals with mental illnesses and their families.

Youth Resources

Education & Learning

  • ABCMouse (use code AOFLUNICEF) – ABCmouse.com is where children can learn important educational basics (often referred to as “the ABC’s”) through the use of a computer mouse. At ABCmouse.com, the computer mouse comes to life as ABC Mouse, who serves as site ambassador and guide to early learners everywhere.
  • Brainpop – Brainpop is an animated educational site for kids, supporting core and supplemental subjects including Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology.
    Families can get free access to all BrainPOP products for at least 30 days. During the COVID-19 pandemic, access will be extended as long as schools are closed.
  • Funbrain Jr. – Explore Funbrain Jr. for games, activities, printables, and stories for kids ages 2-6.
  • Lakeshore Learning – Lakeshore is a leading developer and retailer of top-quality educational materials nationwide. For those facing school closures and in need of quick and easy activities to supplement children’s learning, they offer more than 1,000 free resources for home and school!
  • Mystery Doug – A list of K-5 science lessons that are easy to do at home. No sign up or login required.
  • NOAA Science Activities for Kids & Families – A quick roundup of NOAA’s most popular educational resources to help you learn about the ocean and atmosphere.
  • National Geographic Kids – Kids can find out about the world around them while learning about all areas of science.
  • Scholastic Learn at Home – Keep the learning going with these special cross-curricular journeys. Every day includes four separate learning experiences kids can do on their own, with their families, or with their teachers. Just find your grade level and let the learning begin!
  • Beanstalk – Interactive educational materials focused on children from ages 1½-6 years. Access is free during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • ScienceBuddies – Thousands of free resources for learning STEM, including a collection of 160+ fun, hands-on STEM activities and videos. Each K-12 activity covers a specific STEM concept, can be done in an hour or less, and can usually be done with materials easily found at home.
  • Scholastic Teachables – This resource for PreK – 6th Grade offers printable activities for any subject: math, science, reading comprehension, STEM, writing, and beyond. Download printable lesson plans, reading passages, games and puzzles, clip art, bulletin board ideas, teacher supports, and skills sheets. Over 25,000 teacher created, vetted printables to support your instruction. User ID: schteachables46. Password: blue.
  • PBS Learning Media – Curated collection of free, standards-aligned videos, interactives, lesson plans and more for teachers and learning at home. Create a free account to save and organize content.
  • NASA STEM Engagement – A variety of STEM-related videos, homework help, and games from NASA.
  • Mathspace – This adaptive math program for grades 3-12 gives students feedback at every step of their work. Also includes full eTextbook aligned to state and common core standards and instructional videos and reporting tools. Any school that has closed during the COVID-19 pandemic is eligible for free access. Contact your school and ask them to apply for access.
  • Gale Resources for Teaching and Learning – A temporary hub for educational support during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes free access to interdisciplinary, curriculum-aligned resources to support online learning from pre-K through undergraduate, as well as ways to optimize existing resources.
  • Britannica Digital Learning – Free access to Britannica LaunchPacks, for social studies and science, being leveraged by schools across the world grappling with shutdowns, conducting virtual lessons, and working to minimize the impact on students, families, and staff.
  • Jumpstart: At-Home Learning Activities and Resources – Jumpstart is a national early education organization supporting kindergarten readiness. Check out the free collection of activities, tips, & resources and stay tuned for more added weekly!
  • Nature BINGO – Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry (MSI Chicago) offers up this fun printable activity for families. Practice skills of observation and see if you can spot these items found all around us in nature. Best for grades K-5.

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Stories & Authors

  • Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems – Mo Willems, famed children’s author is doing daily doodles at 1 pm. ET through the Kennedy Center, where he is artist-in-residence. It will be a mini drawing workshop, and he also promises to show kids around his studio a bit.
  • Storyline Online – The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.
  • Draw Every Day with JJK – Jarrett Krosoczka will be posting a drawing lesson daily, archived on his  YouTube Channel. For starters, all you need is a pencil and paper!
  • Oliver Jeffers – Oliver Jeffers will be reading a book a day on Instagram Live and then posting the videos to his website.
  • Mac Barnett -Author Mac Barnett (Sam & Dave Dig a Hole) is hosting three series on Instagram: Every weekday at 2pm CT on Instagram Live, it’s Mac’s Book Club Show, with him reading a different picture book — and wearing a different hat — each day. Every night around 7pm CT, there’s Mac’s Book Club Show: Chapter Books After Dark, where Barnett reads from his book Mac B., Kid Spy: Mac Undercover (and wears a tuxedo). Finally, on Saturdays at 2pm CT, Barnett and his friend Shawn Harris make Live Cartoons, which is shot in one take.
  • The Spanish Experiment – Well known children’s stories translated into Spanish, read aloud by a native Spanish speaker.
  • Atlantic White Shark Conservancy – AWSC is offering a daily story hour the week of March 16th. The books are being read via Facebook Live each day on their Facebook page. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy website also lists the books read, along with additional lesson plans and activities.
  • KidLit TV (KLTV) – KLTV is a diverse group of parents, educators, librarians, kid lit creators, and award-winning filmmakers working together to create fun new ways to reinforce an appreciation of reading that children will carry with them for the rest of their lives. READ OUT LOUD features storytime with authors at KLTV HQ!
  • Hogwarts Digital Escape Room – Created by Peters Township Public Library in McMurray, PA. You can complete this escape room as a family or individual, you can compete against friends and try it multiple times. Just make sure you have fun!
  • Harry Potter: A History of Magic at the British Library – A virtual tour of the 20th Anniversary Exhibit at the British Library
  • Center for Puppetry Arts – Now you can enjoy curriculum-based workshops and Digital Learning interactive puppet shows from the safety and comfort of home. All you need is an internet connection to join in the Zoom room.
  • Children’s Book Almanac – Daily children’s book recommendations and events! Discover the stories behind children’s book classics, new books on their way to becoming classics, and events from the world of children’s books—and the world at large.
  • DC Comics Kids Camp – This new program is designed to help parents engage kids at home. Parents can follow DC Kids social channels (Twitter and Instagram) to download kid-friendly, superhero-themed activities and previews of past and upcoming DC middle grade graphic novels. The DC Kids social channels will also feature videos from all-star authors and artists for parents and kids to watch together.
  • Dav Pilkey At Home – Dav Pilkey at Home features new video content created by Pilkey himself on Friday mornings at 7 a.m. CT on social media channels, and the websites of the Library of Congress and Scholastic Publishers. Fun and free activities are available online including how-to-draw demonstrations, engaging read-alouds, and inspiring resources from the Library’s collections. Additional videos and content is shared periodically and features downloadable activities, conversations about books and creativity, and tips for kids and families to create their own characters and act out scenes from Pilkey’s Dog Man book series.
  • Dolly Parton: “Goodnight with Dolly” – Dolly Parton will read children’s books once a week on her video series “Goodnight With Dolly”. The first episode will be Thursday, April 2nd at 7pm. The series will stream for the next 10 weeks on the Imagination Library’s site and social media accounts.
  • Oliver Jeffers – Author/illustrator Oliver Jeffers (The Day the Crayons Quit), is reading his books Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays live on his website and Instagram at 1pm CT.
  • Debbie Ridpath Ohi – Author/illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi (Where Are My Books?) is posting daily drawing prompts and activities on Twitter at #KidsDailyDebbieOhi, as well as picture book read-alouds and drawing demonstrations on YouTube. She also has a selection of printables — activities, book templates, posters, and bookmarks — on her site.
  • The Missing Tiger: A Sherlock Holmes Virtual Escape Room – The Cotsen Children’s Library at Princeton University Library presents an online adventure for curious young sleuths who enjoy a good mystery.
  • Sesame Street
    • Caring for Each Other – Site filled with content you can use all day long to spark playful learning, offer children comfort–and adults can focus a bit on themselves, which is necessary so that they can best care for their families.
    • In Communities – Site focused on health emergencies, including lots of content: relevant new videos, printables, and learning-at-home resources for families!
  • Shel Silverstein Learning Resources – A guide for parents, teachers, and librarians

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Books & Audiobooks

  • Audible – Audible is making a curated collection of audiobooks for ages 0-18 completely free. The collection has been handpicked by Audible’s editors and is a mix of stories to entertain, engage and inform young people. Selections are available in English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, and Italian.
  • Penguin Random House Publishing – Penguin Random House is offering temporary open access to their materials.
  • Tumblebooks – K-6 children’s eBook database. Use the following username: tumble735 and password: books
  • Tumblemath – K-6 math ebook database. Use the following username: tumble2020 and password: A3b5c6
  • Random House Publishing: Educators – Resources for Educators, Librarians, and Parents include discussion guides, activities, and more available for FREE to download.
  • DK Dorling Kindersley Publishing – Stay Home Hub: Kids
    • DK Home Learning for Kids – Perfect to use as additional teaching resources, these digital activity packs help take children beyond the book, engaging with their imagination and creativity as they color, draw, play, and write.
    • DK Find Out! – A completely-free, child-safe encyclopedic platform that helps answer children’s tricky questions about their favorite subjects, and teachers find resources to set up their online classes.
  • Coronavirus: A Book for Children by Elizabeth Jenner, Kate Wilson, and Nia Roberts; Illustrated by Axel Scheffler – Brand new and available as a free download in PDF format for all, this brand-new book is especially for young readers, written in the UK but relevant for audiences everywhere. It covers what we know about the Coronavirus, how it spreads, why it is important, what kids can do, and especially what they can do to help. Realistic situations are discussed, with families stuck in the house, bored siblings, parents suddenly working from home, forced isolation, and the impact of it all on physical and mental health.
  • New York City School Library System – A large and growing collection of FREE eBooks for children about the Coroniavirus / COVID-19 from the New York City School Library System

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Activities to Make & Do

  • Make Art Studio LIVE! – Make Art Gallery in Paducah, Kentucky is streaming kids art on Facebook Live.
  • Little Bins, Little Hands – A site for kids & families with great science & STEAM ideas, including recipes and free printables.
  • Living Well Mom: Activities for Kids – From free printable travel activities to fascinating STEM activities like salt crystal leaves and snowflakes, you’ll find kids’ activity ideas for toddlers all the way up to elementary ages.
  • Crayola – Free printable coloring pages.
  • Early Learning Ideas: DIY Egg Shakers – Looking for a fun craft for kids?  Make egg shakers! Ideas to incorporate STEM, math, language, and movement are included in the directions.
  • ABC 7 Weather Sketchers’ Club – Downloadable and printable activity sheets: coloring pages, a maze, a word search, and more! Includes “Curious Kids Ask” Q&A with ABC 7 Weather Staff!

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Food & Cooking

  • Delish’s Free Digital Cooking Classes – Delish’s editorial director, Joanna Saltz and her kids will be going live on Instagram every weekday at 12pm Central time to share cook-along videos for parents and their little ones. Visit Delish’s website at the beginning of each week to take a peek at the week’s schedule and make your shopping list. Each video will be available on Instagram for 24 hours.
  • Taste of home – This popular cooking website has curated a collection of recipes kids can easily make all by themselves.

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Health & Wellness

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Tween & Teen Resources

  • Teen Book Cloud – Grades 7-12 eBook database. Use the following username: tumble2020 and password: A3b5c6
  • AIDEN TYLER, QUARAN-TEEN: A Webcast “Serial” with Author Rex Ogle – Rex is writing this creative new middle-grade offering in real-time, about our real-world predicament, and will be reading each week’s newest chapter aloud on this one-of-a-kind webcast “serial”. Tune in on Tuesdays at 11:00 am (CT) for this weekly webcast serial, starting Tuesday, March 24.
  • Amazing Space – Amazing Space uses astronomical discoveries to inspire and educate about the wonders of our universe.

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Adults & Seniors

Reading

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Food Pantries

  • People’s Resource Center: The food pantry will be open for regular hours for DuPage County residents, with pick-up service in the parking lot. Grocery bags will be pre-packed and delivered outside to clients. Clients are asked to remain outside for service.
  • York Township – York Township’s facility will be closed, but the Food Pantry operation will be open Monday to Friday, 9 am – 11 am with significant changes. They are asking that you come to the front entrance of the building where  you will be greeted by a staff member. The staff member will give you two pre-filled bags of food, each client receiving the same amount of food.

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Seniors & Vulnerable Populations

Many stores are reserving early morning shopping hours for Seniors and other vulnerable populations. See the COVID-19 Special Shopping Hours list published by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association for more information.

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Updated June 8, 2020