Cleveland Public Library Offers Support to Students and Teachers

Whether virtual or in-person, school is back in session. To help children, families, and educators, Cleveland Public Library is offering resources and programs to enhance the learning experience, complement lesson plans, encourage reading and learning, and spark curiosity.

“Cleveland Public Library wants everyone to succeed this school year,” said Dr. Sadie Winlock, Chief Equity, Education & Engagement Officer at Cleveland Public Library.  “COVID-19 has created so much uncertainty. Our goal at the Library is to find creative ways to provide programs and services to support families and teachers in our community during the school year no matter what form it takes.”

LOVE FOR LITERACY: Bond over books with Storytime and the upcoming CLE Reads Young Adult (YA) Book Festival. On Friday, December 4, CLE Reads YA Book Festival returns with a day of amazing authors and panel discussions. In partnership with Cleveland NOW, this year’s festival is virtual from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and its mission is the same – to promote literacy and foster a love for reading among kids and young adults. Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, author of Stamped, headlines this year’s festival along with Kim Johnson who wrote This is My America, and the author of Darius the Great is Not Okay, Abid Khorram. Attendees are encouraged to register at clereads2020.eventbrite.com.

Storytime is now available to watch or listen. Library staff, community partners and local celebrities recorded children’s books to help families introduce their children to the joys of reading. Storytime can be viewed on cpl.org and our Youtube channel. Starting Monday, September 21, Dial-a-story will allow children to explore books using their imagination. That magic is as close as their phone. Call (216) 777-6500 to hear a recording of classic children’s stories, jokes, and poetry. Library Branches will also host virtual storytimes. Dates and times are listed on our online calendar.

KINDERGARTEN READINESS: Families no longer must wait until the summer to participate in Kindergarten Club. Now called the Young Scholars Academy, starting Monday, September 21, the class to prepare children ages 3-6 and their families for Kindergarten will be held yearlong. The program will teach young learners and their families about caring and sharing, counting, alphabets, and more using fun activities both online and at our neighborhood branches. Registration is now underway.

HOMEWORK HELP/TUTORING: For students who need assistance with homework or seek tutoring to boost their confidence in a certain subject can visit our tutoring page. Starting Monday, September 21, Cleveland Public Library is offering FREE virtual tutoring for students in grades K – 12. Tutoring sessions will be held Monday – Thursday from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Registration is required.

TEACHER TOOLKIT: Cleveland Public Library has support services for educators too. Our Gale Library resources offers curriculum-aligned digital content to help teachers support their students inside and outside the classroom. Teachers can apply for an Educator Card to access our collection of age-appropriate reading materials and educational movies, music and more.

SNACK TIME: All that learning and studying can make kids hungry. Kids’ Café is back in session. In partnership with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the Library will provide nutritious grab-and-go meals for children up to age 18. Families should call their local branch for meal delivery times.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: Science lovers can get inspired and pique their curiosity at Cleveland Public Library. We’re accepting applications now for STEM @ Home, our virtual science class. The FREE, online robotics and coding courses are for kids and teens in grades 3 – 12. Students will receive a supply kit with everything they will need to build, program, and control mini robots. STEM @ Home will be held Tuesday – Thursday, September 21 – December 21 from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.   

Can’t make it to STEM @ Home? No problem! Youth patrons can pick up a Science Fair project kit at the Glenville Branch. All STEM projects will go on display at the Glenville Branch Science Fair on Wednesday, September 30 at 4:30 p.m.

Students can also hang out at the Best Buy Teen Tech Center at our Rockport Branch. It’s a place where kids and teens, ages 10 – 17, can explore their interest in innovative careers using cutting-edge technology. The space provides professional recording, mixing, editing, and video equipment, green screen, vinyl cutters, sewing machines, button makers, and 3D printers. The Best Buy Teen Tech Center also offers virtual programming. Follow us on Instagram @teentechatcpl.

These programs will help prepare students for Maker Faire on Saturday, November 7. The greatest show-and-tell on Earth is virtual this year. Maker Faire celebrates innovation and provides hands-on, interactive fun of all ages. Engineers, artists, scientists, and crafters will show off their gadgets and mind-blowing inventions. Check the Maker Faire page for updates and a list of makers.

Gaming enthusiasts of all levels can put their skills to the test with CPL Play. The virtual gaming and esports program expose people to everything from new video games to board games. CPL Play is hosting monthly gaming, workshops, and live-streamed events on Cleveland Public Library’s Twitch.tv channel from 2 p.m. –  6 p.m. Check out our website for the CPL Play schedule.

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: After school fun starts at the Library. Students can showcase their talents in a multitude of arts programs. From theatre to dance, singing and art, Cleveland Public Library has a program for children of all ages thanks to a few of our community partners including Arts-Inspired Learning, Art Therapy Studio and Tri-C Vocal Arts Mastery. Families can also visit their favorite neighborhood branch for grab-and-go activities and crafts. Library Branches will provide materials for students to take home and then join their friends and librarian online for a fun study break.

Ready for a break from studying? We can help with that too. Our digital collection offers movies, music, and other streaming entertainment.

There’s so much more to do and see at Cleveland Public Library. The key to discovery is a library card. Apply for a library card to read, explore, and learn.  

For information on our programs and resources, visit here or call the nearest Cleveland Public Library branch near you.