Library News: Start the semester right

Jillian Ocken

Ames Public Library/Special to the Ames Tribune

It’s a new semester, with the chance to start on the right foot. The Ames Public Library is here to support students, parents, and teachers with a wide variety of resources.

If homework is hard at home because you don’t have internet, you can request a Wi-Fi hotspot to check out from the library. We have a limited number available, so there will usually be a wait. Try to get on the list early.

If you have internet access, Ames Public Library has some fantastic online resources available 24/7. They have the types of tools and articles you’d usually have to pay for, but they’re free to use with your Ames Public Library card.

"BrainFuse HelpNow" is one of the most robust options for students. It offers live online homework help, a writing lab to get feedback on your papers, flashcards, quizzes, and much more. There are also test preparation aids like practice tests for SAT, ACT, GED, etc.

Need good sources for your projects or papers? Browse Britannica Library, find articles through Gale General Onefile, or search newspapers using Newsbank. You’ll be able to cite your sources confidently.

You can find these online resources and many more at www.AmesPL.org/databases. Pro tip: you can use the “K-12 Resources” filter to narrow the webpage down to the most useful tools for students.

Library staff are also great guides. They can point you in the right direction for other resources, book lists, and contacts. Just ask.

And, of course, we also have books to check out. (Quite a few of them.) We even have a good selection of e-books, which may be helpful at midnight when you remember you have a book report due.

Most of these resources require an Ames Public Library card; luckily, Ames Public Library teamed up with Ames Community School District to automatically create an account for any Ames CSD student (as long as you didn’t opt out when registering for school). Find out how to log into your account at www.AmesPL.org/StudentLibraryCard.

Everything is easier with the right tools. We’ll help you fill your toolbox; the rest is up to you! Have a great semester!