Calling all young scientists
Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) continues to offer educational online programming for kids to enjoy and take part in from the safety of home during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Starting Friday, June 5, VPL is hosting its first-ever Virtual Science Fair for children in Grades 2 to 12.
The theme for the Virtual Science Fair is Staying Happy and Healthy @Home. Registrants are encouraged to get creative for their entry. They can create a video, an animation or invent something new. Those interested in participating are encouraged to submit their projects between Friday, June 5 and Tuesday, June 30. Contestants can take part individually or as a group of up to four. Judging will be based on three different age categories:
- Junior (Grades 2 to 5)
- Intermediate (Grades 6 to 8)
- Senior (Grades 9 to 12)
Science projects will be reviewed by a panel of judges for a chance to win prizes. For more information on how to enter, visit vaughanpl.info/ScienceFair. A host of resources will be available online to help science fair participants, including guides, videos and live support via email, by phone at 905-653-READ (7323) or through social media on Facebook (facebook.com/vaughanpl), Instagram (@vaughanpubliclibraries), Twitter (@vaughanpl) and YouTube.
While all in-library programs have been cancelled until 2021, there are still many services, programs and online options being offered to residents.
Curbside pickup
VPL now offers curbside pickup for on-shelf books at Bathurst Clark Resource Library, Civic Centre Resource Library and Pierre Berton Resource Library. This new program may be expanded to additional locations based on public demand. Any items that are borrowed can be kept fine-free until further notice. Reserve books and arrange a pickup date at vaughanpl.info/curbside.
Ask Us
While VPL branches remain closed as a result of COVID-19, the team has launched an online service to support its customers remotely. Ask Us is a virtual service supported by more than 20 VPL staff who are able to help with customer inquiries and offer reading and viewing suggestions by phone, email and social media. There are three ways to Ask Us:
- By phone at 905-653-READ (7323)
- On Facebook Messenger, Twitter and Instagram
- By email through an online form
VPL offers a wealth of resources, including eBooks, audiobooks, online learning, movies and more – all of which can be accessed and enjoyed from the comfort of home.
The following online services are available to citizens practising physical distancing:
eBooks and audiobooks
VPL provides customers with free access to a number of digital platforms, including Hoopla, Overdrive and Tumblebooks. Adults, teens and kids will find something they love, allowing them to bring a little piece of the library home without leaving the house. Titles include novels, animated picture books, non-fiction, graphic novels and more. Audiobooks can be played on a smartphone, computer or smart TV.
Films and television
Borrow free digital videos with a library card. Gain access to Hoopla titles – available for instant streaming or temporary download – and watch on a smartphone, tablet or computer. VPL also provides access to Kanopy, which offers more than 30,000 critically acclaimed films. The selection ranges from new popular titles and classics, to world cinema and art and indie as well as top-rated documentaries.
Music
Stream more than 150,000 albums of classical, opera, jazz and world music with Naxos Music Library. Use a library card and PIN and start streaming today for free.
Online learning
Lynda.com gives users free access to thousands of video tutorial courses with a focus on such areas as technology, software development, business skills, project management as well as creative skills like animation and video editing. The courses are taught by recognized industry experts who will guide participants along in learning the skills for personal and professional development. Also available is Transparent Language – a fun way to learn a new language. The app aims to lock words and phrases into participants memories so they can recall them perfectly.
Newspapers
For customers who want to read newspapers in languages other than English and French, VPL provides access to Press Reader, a database which allows customers to access more than 4,000 newspapers from 100 countries in 60 languages.
French offerings
Through Cantook Station, customers have access to nearly 7,000 eBooks in this collection and 39 audiobooks. VPL customers can check out up to seven eBooks at a time and have up to three on hold.
Three times a week, VPL French-language specialists will provide video content through social media. On Tuesdays, there are French-language activities for school-aged children. On Thursdays, staff offer tips on how to access French-language eBooks, audiobooks and videos at home. On Saturdays, there is story time in French for preschool children.
Every other Thursday, VPL will host an online French Meet Up through Zoom. Each meeting will provide a theme for discussion. This is open to people of all ages and provides an opportunity to practise speaking French.
Databases
Whether a customer is doing research for a business or academic project or is interested in expanding his or her knowledge, VPL has a database that can help. These resources can even assist students with their Virtual Science Fair projects. For example, World Book Online for Kids brings the classic encyclopedia set into the home.
Temporary library cards
Customers need a library card to access these services, and can obtain a temporary digital card for free by visiting vaughanpl.info/services/membership and clicking on ‘Apply Now.’ This will deliver a library card number to the email address provided in the application form. Any customers receiving an error can reach out to VPL through this contact us form and staff will work with to resolve the issue.
Stay informed
Stay informed by signing up for the VPL eNewsletter to get the latest information.
VPL's mobile app is available to download from Apple App Store and Google Play.
Visit vaughanpl.info and follow VPL on social media, including Facebook (facebook.com/vaughanpl), Instagram (@vaughanpubliclibraries), Twitter (@vaughanpl) and YouTube.
VPL asks all customers to refrain from returning items to the library until branches reopen. No fines will be charged for late returns during this period.
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