The threat of the Corona Virus has shut down schools and libraries to stem the spread of the serious illness. But learning and reading does not have to stop. Alternative online and material resources offer other ways to approach literary pursuits and learning.
I have asked neighbors through a neighborhood Facebook group for books for my sons to borrow, even offering to just pick up from their porches. Some people offered and some told me about the website link where you can find the closest locations of those Little Free Libraries people put in their yards and public places to swap books.
One idea everyone could implement to help kids and people stuck at home is to offer books we are done with to neighborhood kids and just swap others we could share within our neighborhoods.
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Library Systems offer a plethora of FREE online and downloadable and streaming resources available though that doesn’t replace the joy of holding a book in hand.
Links to area library systems download and streaming resources:
- Richmond Public Library online resources
- Henrico County Public Library
- Chesterfield County Public Library
- Hanover County is part of the Pamunkey Regional Librarysystem, which on Saturday (3/14/20) said on their website they were providing curbside service to patrons.
There are few silver linings to the new state of emergency. One is that Adobe is enabling distance learning globally for schools impacted by COVID-19. That may mean a chance to learn some of the programs.
Audible has announced a new site, with free streaming of titles for kids and families.
In an effort to help children keep learning many people have offered ideas for adults to structure days for children out of school keep up with academic work sent home by teachers. Other online resources include
Adults seeking educational content while the schools are closed, may try to set up some sort of adademic schedule over the next two weeks (at least!) for their children. Consider looking at the completely FREE Khan Academy. Another service is Outschool https://outschool.com/]. But some other adults may want to invest in enriching materials from educational publishers like Scholastic. You can access Richmond Public Schools superintendent Jason Kamras’ daily math lesson and more lessons through the RPS website. The Ginter Botanical Garden is offering online resources including how to create a garden and lessons about flowers, plants and insects.
The key is keep your cool with each other and especially the children in your life while school is out.
If you know of other FREE or cheap educational resources that could be included in this listing, email: news@rvaonthecheap.com.
More articles on virtual resources:
•Richmond area podcasts offer escape as well as window to our time, place and talents
• Richmond area museums’ online resources enrich and educate
• Richmond area historic sites with online resources enrich
• Richmond Arts Organizations Share Online Resources
Be sure to subscribe to email updates, follow @rvacheap on Twitter or like RVA (Richmond) on the Cheap on Facebook to stay in the know about the latest freebies & deals.