Activities and resources for the COVID-19 Crisis
There are all kinds of activities you can do at your home while we are practicing social distancing.
Libraries across Indiana and the world have been adding activities to their webpages and Facebook pages – from library staff reading books to links to national authors reading their own books. Can’t leave the house? Maybe take a virtual trip to Buckingham Palace or to the San Diego Zoo or check out 10 Amazing virtual Museum tours!
If your library has an activity you would like to share, just fill out this form and we will try to add it to our list!
John’s Hopkins Coronovirus Covid-19 interative map
Other State Library resources across the United States
- Colorado – COVID-19 Youth Services Resources
- Idaho Libraries YS COVID-19 Resources – Google sheets
- North Dakota – Educational Resources for Out-of-School Learning
- South Carolina – Coronavirus & Public Libraries Resources
- South Carolina – Coronavirus Resources for YS Staff
Acrylic Barrier Shields
American Library Association (ALA)
- ALA COVID-19 Recovery – collection of tools that will help communities, library workers and library supporters moving forward towards recovery
Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL)
- ARSL Round Table: Rural & Small Libraries’ Response to COVID-19 free, one hour Zoom meetings every Thursday at 2 pm Eastern / 1 pm Central, register to attend – past Round Tables are also linked
Articles
Arts & Entertainment
- ArtBar – activity guide for kids in quarantine
- One Hundred Museums transformed their collections into free coloring pages
- Shakespeare plays
- #StoryMarch – fun way for artists of every age to stretch themselves and have fun
Baby activities
- Talking is Teaching – resources to help you talk, read and sing with your child every day
Bilingual
- Encantos – free bilingual activities for kids
Books
- ABDO – free digital content through July 31, 2020
- Amazon – audible – no log-ins, credit card or passwords needed a long as schools are closed
- Audiobook Resources, Virtual Storytime, and more online tools for Libraries, Educators and Parents – from Books on Tape
- Author’s launch digital children’s book festival – held virtually May 1-2, 2020
- Book Authors Reading their Books
- Complimentary Audiobooks – educators, librarians, etc.
- Indiana Authors Available for Online Meet-Ups or Classes during 2020 Pandemic – compiled by the Indiana State Library’s Young Readers Center and the Indiana Center for the Book
- KidLitTV – multimedia site celebrating all things children’s literature
- myON – Please note that this pilot, only comes with the base package of books (around 7,000). School Name: Read at Home / Username: readnow / Password: myon. Also, check out this quick video tour.
- SEBCO Books – offering 450 FREE ebooks, offer good though 6-30-2020 / Password – keepreading / UN: sebco / ID# – 1
Chore guide
Cleaning & Disinfecting
Please be aware that definitive guidelines on dealing with COVID-19 on library materials and surfaces are undetermined. The information below may not adhere to the most recent findings but for the latest information, please check www.imls.gov/coronavirus:
- Best Practices for Cleaning Play and Learn Spaces
- CDC Interim Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
- Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing
- Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Frequency Table
- COVID-19 Research Partnership to Inform Safe Handling of Collections, Reopening Practices for Libraries, Museums – this updates the information on the previous IMLS webinar
- List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 – United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
Coding
Communication during a Crisis
Coping
- 7 ways to cope during tough times – from someone who’s been there! Indiana State Library blog by Jenny Kobiela-Mondor
Cooking
- A list of kitchen tools for children 1-4 years of age
- Montessori Kids in the Kitchen
- Montessori food preparation cooking
- Sourdough starter recipe
COVID-19
- Answering Kids’ questions about coronavirus – YouTube video from Children’s Hospital of Colorado
- Blog post from Bucks County Free Library, Pennsylvania. Their post includes a special section of information for kids that would be particularly helpful for caregivers and teachers about the Coronavirus.
- BrainPOP video for kids. You can share this video with teachers and caregivers or play it at story times or children’s events to help educate kids and alleviate their fears. The site also has lots of other resources for kids including related reading, games, and lesson plans.
- CDC Resources for K-12 schools and childcare programs
- Comic for kids from NPR. Library social media managers are passing around this piece by NPR education reporter Cory Turner. He asked some experts what kids might want to know about the Coronavirus. You can print and fold the comic, which also comes in Chinese.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Statistics & Research
- Coronavirus how to talk with child
- Coronavirus Infographic and game
- Education.com is offering free worksheets for preschool through 5th grade students
- Handwashing posters and other materials for children and teens – Center for Disease Control (CDC)
- Helping Children Cope – how to help children cope with disasters
- Helping Children Cope with Stress during the 2019-nCoV Outbreak PDF – from World Health Organization
- Indiana Department of Health – Novel Coronaviris (COVID-19) information
- John’s Hopkins Coronovirus Covid-19 interative map
- Just for Kids: a comic exploring the new coronavirus
- Mental Health and coping during COVID-19
- Parent/Caregiver guide to helping families cope with the coronavirus disease 2019
- Protect yourself and your family – from Center for Disease Control (CDC)
- Resources for families during the coronavirus pandemic
- Talking to children about COVID-19
- What does “flatten the curve” mean? Check this article out for a great visual simulation.
- World Health Organization printable advice for the public
Databases
- INSPIRE Indiana – Indiana’s Virtual Library for Indiana Residents only
Escape Rooms (digital)
Face Masks
- DtM-v3.0 Face Shield PPW, 3D printable headband
- Masks Required in the Library – YouTube video from Monroe County Public Library (Bloomington, Indiana)
- Nation of Makers – Current COVID-19 Maker Responses
- Surgical Mask Strap Remix on MakerBot Thingiverse
- Check your favorite author, performer or library to see what Facebook live activities they are offering
Firefly
- The Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award has extended voting until July 31, 2020. Resources, including a program guide, can be found here.
Gardening
Handwashing
Indiana Department of Education
Indiana State Library’s Young Reader’s Center and the Indiana Center for the Book
- Indiana Authors Available for Online Meet-Ups or Classes during 2020 Pandemic – compiled by the Indiana State Library’s Young Readers Center and the Indiana Center for the Book
Indiana Travel Advisory
- Indiana Department of Homeland Security County Travel Status map
Internet
- Access from AT&T
- Comcast Internet Essentials
- EveryoneOn – low cost Internet Service Programs Tool Kit
- FCC’s Lifeline Program – put in your zip code and find low-cost options from providers in your area
- Free Internet for Students during Corona Shutdown – 1-844-488-8398 Spectrum Internet
- Internet Assistance for Low-Income Families
- Spectrum Internet Assist
Learning activities
- Amazon Future Engineer classes – free through August 31, 2020
- AskRose – math and science tutoring helpline for middle and high school students
- Disney “Imagineering in a Box”
- Duolingo
- Education companies offering free subscriptions
- Free online courses
- Free online events and activities for kids at home
- Free online Ivy League courses
- Free Online Learning Resources for schools affected by Coronovirus/COVID-19
- Free resources from Pop Culture Classroom – free comics-literacy based materials
- Jarrett J. Krosoczka drawing webcasts
- Jarrett Lerner’s Activities Page – lots of printouts/activities that encourage creativity and story creation
- Khan Academy
- Kennedy Space Center – science lessons on Facebook live
- Kid friendly live streams
- Links to Learning-at-Home Resources
- National Geographic Kids
- Publisher Online resources – free fun & educational resources & more
- Scholastic Learn at Home
- Science at Home – Terre Haute Children’s Museum
- Skype a Scientist is another interactive approach to learning. The service matches families to a scientist for a live video Q&A session.
- ST Math
- StoryBlocks – short videos of Colorado librarians demonstrating rhymes and songs with early literacy tips – available in 7 languages
- Stuck at home? Enriching activities to do with all ages from the Indiana Young Readers Center – Indiana State Library
- Wow in the World – NPR Indiana Public Radio Podcast – check out all of the kids & family podcasts here
Library information
- ALA Pandemic Preparedness Resources for Libraries
- Audiobook Resources, Virtual Storytime, and more online tools for Libraries, Educators and Parents – from Books on Tape
- Booklist – All Booklist & Book Links content is freely available until further notice
- Canva – has some pre-made signs with COVID-19 information
- COVID-19 Resource Hub from The Heritage Emergency National Task Force
- Indiana Library Federation – COVID-19 resources for Indiana libraries
- Indiana State Library – Libraries and COVID-19
- Institute of Museum and Library Services – Safe Handling of Collections, Reopening Practices for Libraries, Museums
- International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) – COVID-19 and the Global Library Field
- Library 2.0 Pandemic Resources
- Library Journal
- Libraries and the coronavirus – lots of information from Webjunction
- Libraries Respond to COVID-19: Keeping Hours Current in Online Searches – Webjunction
- #LibrariesStrong Twitter feed
- Novel coronaviris COVID-19 resources for libraries – Indiana State Library
- Publisher’s Weekly – digital edition will be free for all during the COVID-19 crisis
Library Lists
Math
Miscellaneous ideas
- 7 Things to do if you can’t leave the house
- 51 Creative Ways to be Active Indoors
- PBS KIDS’ new weekday newsletter with activities and tips
- Resources/activities made available for free during COVID19
- Resources for Families during the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Typing Club is free & fun so kids can keep on top of typing skills
Museum virtual tours
- 19 Immersive museum exhibits you can visit from your couch
- Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – check out their Facebook page for free Facebook Live Events
- Guggenheim Museum
- Houston Zoo live animal cameras
- The Louvre
- Take a virtual tour of these 12 amazing museums
- Van Gogh Museum
Music & Entertainment
- 15 Broadway Plays and Musicals you can watch on stage from homes
- Metropolitan Opera to Berlin Philharmonic: free live streamed classical music concerts coming up
Outdoor spaces
- Outdoor spaces to enjoy in solitude
- Stuck at Home? ideas from National Wildlife Federation Ranger Rick
Professional Development
- LinkedIn – Indiana library staff can receive complementary access to the entire LinkedIn Learning.com course library, through the Indiana State Library. Click here to get to the ISL information page on LinkedIn learning – there is an application at the bottom of the page.
- Approved LEU Providers – Indiana State Library
- Webjunction
- WebJunction’s ABLE & SABLE courses
Reading
- Applying Montessori ideas when reading with your child
- Authors Everywhere – YouTube Channel run by children’s book authors and illustrators – workshops, reading, activities, art projects, writing games and more
- Creating a prepared environment for reading
- Harper at Home – kids literature links
- Junior Library Guild
- Reader Zone
- Reading gives us somewhere to go when we have to stay where we are – sample schedule of author’s activities
Reopening plans
- Institute of Museum and Library Services – Safe Handling of Collections, Reopening Practices for Libraries, Museums
- Johns Hopkins Changed It Guidance on Re-Opening the Economy after Pushback from Librarians article by Leah Rosenbaum
- Recommendations for Library Services During the Covid 19 Pandemic – Georgia’s Regents Public Library Advisory Council (RPLAC)
- A Phased Reopening Plan for Librarians as Restrictions for COVID 19 are Lifted – Idaho by John Thill, Assistant Director at Meridian Library District
- Staged Reopening Plan – sample plan created by the New Mexico State Library
- YouTube Video – Curb Side Baby – Nashville Public Library
Remote work (also see Video Conferencing below)
Storytime
- Audiobook Resources, Virtual Storytime, and more online tools for Libraries, Educators and Parents – from Books on Tape
- Celebrities reading aloud on YouTube
- Copyright Tips for Programming Librarians: Storytimes Programming Librarian
- SLJ COVID-19 Publisher Information Directory
- Kid Lit Authors Step up to help educators, students and parents
- Publishers Adapt Policies to help educators from School Library Journal
- Read, Wonder and Learn! Favorite authors & illustrators share resources for learning anywhere
- Another group is keeping track of live author readings and other streamed storytime events on this calendar.
- Streaming Storytimes (How-To) Library Journal
- Story Preservation Initiative – find a selection of audio stories from three master storytellers on the K-3 Storytelling Learning Lab, found at www.storypreservation.org. To access click K-3 Learning Lab on blue banner. A one-time registration is required and then click on “storytellers” and listen and enjoy at no cost
- Story Time from Space
- Storyline Online offers books read by celebs which are free to share. These could be posted on your library social media pages.
- Tackling copyright concerns when taking storytime online
Teaching
- Suddenly teaching online? Free resources to help faculty affected by Coronavirus – LinkedIn learning for members. Not a member? Indiana library staff can receive complementary access to the entire LinkedIn Learning.com course library, through the Indiana State Library. Click here to get to the ISL information page on LinkedIn learning – there is an application at the bottom of the page.
- TeachingBooks.net has launched the Book & Reading Engagement Kit: Home Edition, which contains links to lists of publishers and authors granting read-aloud permission, read-along audiobook performances, author interviews, and much more.
Tumblebooks
- Book of the Day
- TumbleBooks is inviting libraries across North America to email info@tumblebooks.com with subject line Free TumbleBooks in order to receive free links to all five of its databases until August 31, 2020
Virtual field trips:
Explore the world without leaving your home with the help of virtual field trips:
- 7 Great Video Options to Keep Kids Busy (and Learning) While Social Distancing
- 40 Free Educational Websites Parents can access while schools are closed
- ABCYa – educational games for kids
- E-learning for kids
- Fun Brain
- Google arts & culture collections – over 500 museums and galleries around the world offering virtual tours and online exhibits
- U.S. Parks virtual tours
- Virtual School Activities – great list of free virtual tours and activities from around the world
Virtual play dates
Virtual programming ideas for kids, teens, and adults
- Here is a list of program ideas compiled by Storytime Underground members.
- Indiana Authors Available for Online Meet-Ups or Classes during 2020 Pandemic – compiled by the Indiana State Library’s Young Readers Center and the Indiana Center for the Book
- A LibGuide that pulls a number of resources into one place.
- Scholastic Learn at Home is providing lots of free activities you can share with your patrons
- Serving Patrons experiencing homelessness in a COVID-19 Shutdown – Ideas from Programming Librarian
- Stuck inside: author’s virtual book club
- Virtual concerts, plays, museums and other culture – a list of worldwide cultural activities to engage in online
- Virtual Programming During a Pandemic – a SLJ blog post about programming for teens
Video Conferencing
- Google Hangouts – rolling out free access until September 30, 2020 to their advanced video-conferencing capabilities
- GoToMeetings – Emergency Remote Work Kits
- How to Use Google Hangouts YouTube video
- How to Zoom – Free Video Conferencing & Virtual Meetings YouTube video
- Zoom Basics – Using Zoom for Classes and Meetings – a YouTube video from Steve Dotto of dottotech
- Zoom website
Webinars
Working from home
- Tasks for Staff during facility closure and/or when remote work option is exercised – this is an open document from ILF
- Working from home? Here are some ideas for librarians – Indiana State Library blog by Laura Jones
- Working from Home Ideas 2020 – PDF from Paula Newcom, Indiana State Library
- Working from home Tips – Remaining Sane and Productive! (and Married!) – a YouTube video from Steve Dotto of dottotech
Writing
- Practice your writing skills – write a letter to someone or maybe your favorite book character (check author’s websites)
PDO 8-12-2020