State Library of Iowa


Our Catalog ›


You are here: Home / For Libraries / C-D / COVID-19 and Libraries / Free Online Resources for Libraries and Patrons

Personal tools

  • *
FOR LIBRARIES
FOR IOWANS
FOR DATA CENTER
Info

Free Online Resources for Libraries and Patrons During COVID-19

This page offers a list of resources that are currently free (at time of posting) during the COVID-19 crisis for libraries to promote to their patrons. This is not an exhaustive list of the resources that are currently available, and we encourage libraries to reach out to online content or database providers that you are interested in offering to your patrons to ask if they will grant free access during this time. The first few resources on this list have done an excellent job of compiling public library resources.

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS): Relevant tips and recommendations; operating as a clearing house for material useful to all libraries.  

IMLS COVID-19 Resources for Libraries and Museums: Resources from many library and museum organizations on COVID-19.

OCLC: Listing of extensive online partner content and journals that are free during this time. (This will download as a spreadsheet.)

Library Journal Info Docket: Exhaustive list of resources and vendors offering free access during this time. 

Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative: Well-organized resources for dealing with disasters and how to bring places like libraries back online after disasters hit.  

Virtual Resources with Engaging Content

National Parks: Online virtual tours.

Hour of Code: Coding basics anyone can learn.

Scholastic: Free educational content for children.

Tumblebooks: Libraries across North America can email info@tumblebooks.com with subject line Free TumbleBooks in order to receive free links to all five of its databases until August 31.

Cornerstone Confessions: Online list of music education games.

Netflix: Full access to a set of full documentaries available on You Tube. 

Internet Archive: “7 things to do when you can’t leave the house” blog post includes activities like MS-DOS games like the Oregon Trail that you can play online for free. 

Free Virtual Resources: Crowdsources list from librarians to streaming content such as concerts and zoo tours. 

Library Underground: Virtual story time resources and topics.

Databases Offering Free Trials

Just about every major database vendor is offering free resources at this time. Here’s a sampling of some that might be most relevant for libraries.

The National Emergency Library: A “temporary collection of books that supports emergency remote teaching, research activities, independent scholarship, and intellectual stimulation while universities, schools, training centers, and libraries are closed.” A vast collection of ebooks and materials; click on the grade school level books from this collection.

Gale: Online learning tips and tricks using Gale resources for homeschoolers and anyone looking to improve their skills.

ProQuest: Free trial access to titles for a limited period of time since many libraries are closed and microfilm is inaccessible. 

Credo Reference: Homeschool resource stocked full of reference material and useful for anyone teaching children at home.

EBSCOHost and Rosetta Stone: Free access to all levels of languages through June 2020. Other EBSCOhost resources are available as well at this time; follow the link with instructions on how to get access.

About Us Contact Us Quick Links Publications
Advisory Panel
Calendar
Commission of Libraries
Meeting Rooms
Mission Statement
Strategic Plan
District Offices
Law Library
Main Library
Remote Support
Staff Directory
State Data Center
Website Feedback
CE Catalog
Find Items in Iowa Libraries
Iowa Center for the Book
Iowa Heritage Digital Collections
Iowa Publications Online
Wireless Printing
SILO Interlibrary Loan 
State Library Annual Report
Enrich Iowa Report
Public Library Standards
Trustee Handbook
>> All Publications
Follow us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter   Email Icon 24
Iowa.gov
Web Policies
This website is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the
Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.