Updated September 30, 2020
I can hardly believe it, but kids are already back in school. Somehow this surprises me every year.
Whether your kids will be attending school in person, at home or online, the Library is here to support you. While our locations may look different on the inside, the heart of the Library hasn’t changed. Our thinking caps are always on, looking for ways to connect with you.
For young children:
Do you and your kids miss storytime? It’s been a while, hasn’t it? We miss you, too! The good news is, storytime is happening online. It’s a great way to discover new books, learn some songs you can sing together at home and maybe see a familiar face you know from the Library. As we love to remind you, storytime is also a way to build early literacy skills.
We also offer online resources about those early learning activities we often mention during storytime. Talk, sing, read, write and play! You can do these things anytime, anywhere. Learning is a seamless part of everyday life for young children, long before they enter any kind of classroom.
Explore more fun with our Rhyme Time videos and the read-aloud stories on BookFLIX. You can also tune in for our Storytime Shorts on Monday and Wednesday mornings through Facebook and Instagram Stories.
Turn the tables and invite your child to do storytime for you. See which songs, rhymes and stories they remember. You may be surprised!
For school-age kids:
Your kids may be doing school work at home this fall. Maybe you are even playing the role of teacher. Of course, kids who are attending school in person will have homework, too. Sometimes it might be a rough road, for kids and the adults who support them. Luckily, we’re here to lend a hand!
Check out our homework help page. Live assistance is available through Tutor.com, covering many subjects for school-age kids, but also for teens and adults. You’ll see that we also offer online encyclopedias, databases for kids, and databases for teens. that can be a great resource for school projects and research.
All of this is free for you through Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh! You don’t need to step into a library building to complete homework assignments and book reports.
Make learning fun–challenge your child to stump you with a cool fact they learned from an encyclopedia or database. Can they come up with a mind-blowing piece of info that you didn’t know?
Teens looking for a way to unwind after school? Check out our Teen Time @ Home on Instagram!
For all ages:
Wondering how to support your child’s use of technology? We’re here to help you navigate through the sea of options, so you can make sure screen time is appropriate and valuable. Check out the resources we offer, including curated lists of apps for different age groups.
Be sure to check out our booklists for all ages. They feature titles selected by library staff with a focus on making each list diverse and appealing to a variety of interests. If your child needs to choose books to read for school, this is a great place to start. You may also find some great eBooks and eAudio books on OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla.
For quality family time, listen to an audiobook together!
Want suggestions for books, movies, and more? Try our Personalized Recommendation form! Our team will help you and your family find something new, picked just for you.
Starting a new school year is exciting and maybe a little bit scary at times, but you are not in this alone. We’re always here for you. If you are new to our eResources, check out these tutorial videos on how to get started. You can get help from library staff through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, as well as our contact page, online chat, email or by calling 412.622.3114. You can also text us at 412.775.3900. A live person will respond and help you with your question.