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By Sarah Underwood

Jessamine County Public Library

At Jessamine County Public Library, we are serious about supporting students, teachers, and home-school families. As expected, we offer a variety of materials to check-out: books, movies, eBooks, audiobooks, and more. However, your JCPL library card also gives you access to an array of educational services that you might not know about.

1. 1-to-1 tutoring through Tutor.com 

Students in kindergarten through college introductory courses can get live, one-to-one help in math, science, social studies, and English every day from 2 to 10 p.m at no cost. To login, enter your 7-digit library card number or the site code. To find out what the site code is, contact the Information Desk at (859) 885-3523 ext. 228.

2. Test preparation

Getting ready to take a standardized test this semester? Make sure you’re prepared with Learning Express Library for grades 4 and up! Access free online test preparation tools, skill-building materials, and career resources. Check out jesspublib.org/homework-help for more information on how to get started.

3. Ages & Stages screening for ages 0-6

Wondering if your child is on track developmentally and socially-emotionally? At no cost to you, JCPL offers the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®), which provide reliable, accurate developmental and social-emotional screening for children between birth and age 6.

The ASQ screeners are sets of valid, reliable, and age-appropriate questionnaires that are filled out by the true expert on your child—you! ASQ is strengths-focused, meaning the emphasis is really on what your child can do. It’s the perfect way to keep track of milestones and celebrate them as your child grows and develops.

If you are interested in more information about the ASQ screening process or to receive a screening packet, contact Kate Irwin at kirwin@jesspublib.org or call (859) 885-3523 ext. 240.

4. Teacher baskets and childcare literacy bags

If you’re a teacher, a childcare provider, you homeschool your kids, or you are simply interested in checking out a variety of children’s books on a single topic, the library has a great solution! Anyone can request a Teacher Basket on a specific topic. A Teacher Basket is a collection of up to fifteen items on a subject thoughtfully selected by JCPL children’s library staff. Baskets may be requested using the online form at jesspublib.org/teacher-basket-request or by calling the library at (859) 885-3523. 

Certified childcare providers in Jessamine County can also request Childcare Literacy Bags which include a variety of resources on a given topic. Each Childcare Literacy Bag includes a collection of books, related songs/rhymes and activity ideas, and usually some kind of toy or manipulative that kids can use to interact with the subject matter. The Childcare Literacy Bags include subjects like community helpers, emotions, senses, outer space, and more! To reserve a bag, visit jesspublib.org/childcare-literacy-bag-request. 

5. Online language classes (including english as a second language!)

Whether your student is taking a foreign language online, is learning English as a second language, or is simply interested in sharpening their language skills outside of class-time, Transparent Language Online can help. Transparent Language Online is offered to anyone with a library card at no cost. The service offers lessons in over 80 languages and works on virtually any Internet-connected device or computer. Visit library.transparent.com/jessamineky to get started.

JCPL hopes this back-to school is a happy one for you and your family!

Sarah Underwood is the marketing and public relations librarian for Jessamine County Public Library. You can reach her at schoate@jesspublib.org or via phone, (859) 885-3523, ext. 266