Explore these online resources curated by librarians that you can access from home, with and without your library card. (Don't have a library card? Apply online so you can enjoy ebooks, databases, and more from anywhere.)
MGPL staff recommendations for Adults, Teens, and Kids
Download and stream e-books and e-audiobooks
Watch movies, TV shows, and more on Kanopy and Hoopla
On Kanopy: credit-free viewing, Funny Films
Indigenous-made films and documentaries
Library of Congress Film and Video Archive
Discover recommendations and reviews of fiction and nonfiction titles for adults and teens on NoveList Plus
Watch a new opera every night from the Metropolitan Opera
Live stream zoo and aquatic animals at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the San Diego Zoo and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Brain Bytes is a video series of math puzzles and brain games from the Morton Grove Public Library
PBS Kids: Explore activities to help kids play and learn at home
NoveList Plus K-8: Recommendations and reviews of fiction and nonfiction titles for young readers
NASA Kids' Club: Games-based website that stimulates children's interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by incorporating five skill levels, national education standards, and NASA content
NASA Space Place: NASA Space Place's mission is to inspire and enrich upper-elementary-aged kids' learning of space and Earth science online through fun games, hands-on activities, informative articles and engaging short videos
Join Elephant & Piggie creator Mo Willems on YouTube for LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems
Jarret J. Krosoczka, creator of Lunch Lady and Star Wars Jedi Academy, shares how he makes his drawings
Captain Underpants creator Dav Pilkey teaches how to draw some of his famous characters
Arts for Illinois is an online platform featuring free access to works from Illinois artists and performers
Explore the Great Courses collection on Hoopla
Stream classical music concerts, operas, ballets, documentaries, and master classes on Medici.tv
Access over 7,000 magazines and newspapers from around the world in 64 languages on PressReader
Learn a new language with Mango Languages
Discover new locations and museums such as the Sistine Chapel, the Guggenheim, the Van Gogh Museum, the Great Wall of China, and the National Museum of Natural History
Open Culture: free cultural and educational media
Develop new computer skills on GCFLearnFree and Lynda.com
Citizens Utility Board is offering virtual utility bill clinics
Explore your favorite topic with collections from the Digital Public Library of America
Learn from over 1,000 award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists on Creativebug
MGPL's DIY Storytimes include lyrics, links, and other resources for doing storytimes anywhere, anytime
KidLitTV: Explore the world of children’s literature and enjoy a collection of children’s authors and illustrators reading out loud
Storytime Online: This award-winning children’s literacy website streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books
LivBits has a list of free daily online storytimes and musical performances
Brightly Storytime: YouTube channel for the Brightly: Raise Kids Who Love to Read website
Storytime from Space: Videos of astronauts in space aboard the ISS reading picture books aloud, doing experiments, and other learning ideas
Goodnight Dolly: Dolly Parton reads bedtime stories to kids
Podcasts
Health & Wellness
- The OneMind Meditation Podcast with Morgan Dix
- The Mindful Minute by Meryl Arnett
- I Should Be Meditating with Alan Klima
- Peace Out: Relaxation Stories For Kids by Chanel Tsang
- Ten Percent Happier Podcast with Dan Harris
- Guided Sleep Meditations Tracks To Relax
- Yoga by Nature Podcasts and Videos
Comedy
Books/Reading
Storytelling
Yoga
Corepower Yoga's free online classes and guided meditations
Chair Yoga recommended by Cher Walter
Wellness
MedlinePlus videos and online games
Hero with a Thousand Faces, a documentary about the Ebola crisis
Race Against the Killer Flu, a documentary about the flu epidemic of 1997
Huge nonfiction video library from PBS
Fitness
Daria, an award-winning educator and musician geared toward parent, teachers, and homeschoolers
Scholastic Learn at Home: Free articles, stories, videos, and fun learning challenges each day for students in pre-K to grade 6+
Story Starters: Creative Writing Prompts for Kids: A fun story prompt generator from Scholastic that pairs a random writing form, a main character and descriptor, and a situation
PebbleGo: Curricular content hub specifically designed for K-3 students
Teen Librarian Toolbox: A roundup of pandemic resources for librarians, teachers, and parents
Favorite Authors & Illustrators Share Resources for Learning Anywhere: Resource for kids, families, teachers and librarians by author and former teacher Kate Messner
Scholastic Teachables: Educational support for kids in preschool through grade 8, including downloadable worksheets, lesson plans, and learning games for any subject
World Book Early World of Learning: Stories, videos, songs, and games for preschoolers and younger children
World Book Kids: Short illustrated articles for younger students
World Book Student: Encyclopedia and research resource for students in upper elementary through middle school