Tag tutoring

Children exiting a school bus.

Back to School at the Library

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Children exiting a school bus.
8/6/24 Kids attend a Kindergarten Here We Come class at Howard County Library System Elkridge Branch.

by Emily B.

Did you know that every Howard County Public School System student has their own library account? Well, it’s true! Not sure what your barcode and PIN are? Head to hcpss.me and click on the HC Library button to find your account information. When visiting the library in person, you can also use your name and address to borrow library materials.

Howard County Library System and Howard County Public School System go way back – we’ve been A+ Partners in Education for more than 20 years! HCLS and HCPSS share common goals of furthering students’ academic success and enhancing students’ love of reading and learning. The A+ Partnership ensures that all HCPSS students have access to books and e-books, research tools, live online tutoring, and more. Here are some of our favorite resources for students:

Live tutoring with Brainfuse: From 2 pm to midnight, Brainfuse offers live tutoring assistance to learners of all ages on a variety of subjects. Just log on to Brainfuse with your library barcode and pin, select your grade and the subject you need assistance with, and Brainfuse will connect you with an instructor. Working on a tough writing assignment? Use Brainfuse’s writing lab to get feedback on your work.

Language Learning: Little Pim is the perfect way for young learners to begin their language learning journey with fun video vocabulary lessons. Students ages six and up can use Muzzy Online to learn a new language through interactive games and lessons. Mango is perfect for teens and adults looking for fun, conversational language lessons.

Practice Exams: High schoolers can visit Peterson’s Test Prep and LearningExpress Library to take practice tests for the SAT, ACT, AP exams, and beyond.

Research Tools: Need to do some research for homework or a project? Gale In Context provides reference materials, including primary sources, newspaper articles, and videos, about a wide variety of topics. Gale curates these resources for each school level, offering Gale In Context sites specifically designed for elementary, middle school, and high school research. Each site has a built-in citation generator, making it easier than ever to credit your sources.

If you’re not an HCPSS student, you can access these resources and more online by visiting hclibrary.org. In the “research” section, select the resource you’d like to use, and sign in with your barcode and pin when prompted.

De-stress for Success!
Tue, Sep 10 | 7 – 8 pm
HCLS Glenwood Branch
For ages 11 –17. Register today.
With the start of the new school year, it can be easy to get stressed! From breathing exercises to fidgets, there are many tools out there to help you manage stress. Learn about some of the tools you can add to your de-stressing toolkit.

Tutoring Tuesdays: Math Made Easy
Tuesdays 4 – 5 pm
Sep 3, 10, 17, 24 & Oct 1, 15, 22, 29
HCLS Central Branch
For ages 11 – 18. Drop-in.
Do you struggle with math homework or tests? Do you want to improve your math skills and confidence? If you are a middle or high school student, extra help and dedicated time to work practice problems is available for middle school math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2.

Maximize Your National History Day Research
For ages 11+.
Assigned a National History Day project? Our research experts have tips and tools for you. Meet History Day judges and recent winners, and learn strategies to locate sources. Parents and teachers welcome.
See the HCLS National History Day webpage for a complete list of events.

Emily is an Instructor & Research Specialist at the Central Branch. When she’s not reading, she enjoys puzzling, listening to music, and re-watching old seasons of Survivor. 

PSA ad: a young Black woman wearing glasses looks down at her cell phone while her other arm is full of books. A blue square to the left says: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Talking about Teen Mental Health

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PSA ad: a young Black woman wearing glasses looks down at her cell phone while her other arm is full of books. A blue square to the left says: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

by Brandon B.

During National Mental Health Awareness Month each May, and throughout the year, you can find a wealth of resources at the library. Many teenagers may suffer from mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Some teens might feel isolated, bullied, or ostracized from society. If you are looking for a place to belong, we have created a safe and friendly environment just for you.

Are you looking for a fun and free spot to hang out after school? Your local branch is always looking forward to seeing you. At HCLS East Columbia Branch, you can interact with other teens for fun and excitement most afternoons. Do you have anxiety about math or need assistance with your homework? You can get assistance with your math studies and face your fear of arithmetic at Central Branch from 4-5 pm on Tuesdays. For high school students, final exams are soon! Miller and Elkridge Branches offer a chance to de-stress with some friendly, furry faces.

According to a New York Times article, you can cope with your mental health issues in some simple ways. Just 20 minutes of exercise can relieve stress, or you can use meditation techniques like deep breathing exercises. If you are truly feeling overwhelmed with life challenges, you need to find a trusted adult (parent, teacher, counselor) to talk with. If you are thinking about doing harm to yourself or others, call the national suicide hotline at 988 to talk to a mental health professional. For a local connection, call the Grassroots 24-hour Crisis Line at 410.531.6677.

Tutoring Tuesdays: Math Made Easy!
Ages 11–18. Register here.
Do you struggle with math homework or tests? Do you want to improve your math skills and confidence? If you answered yes, then this is the perfect class for you! Middle school and high school students can get extra help or practice with math topics in middle school math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2.
Tuesdays; May 7 – Jun 4
4 – 5 pm  
Central Branch

Teen Chill Room: Dog Cafe
For high school students, but 11 & up are welcome. Walk-in only.
Finals stressing you out? Take a peaceful brain break in the Teen Chill Room, and return to studying feeling refreshed.
Spend time unwinding with loving, furry friends. Pets on Wheels certified therapy dogs, along with their trainers, bring calm and smiles to busy a midterm week.
Mon, Jun 10
3 – 4 pm
Miller Branch
De-stress with Pets
Sat, Jun 8
2 – 3 pm
Elkridge Branch – Registration opens June 1 at 2 pm.

Brandon is a Customer Service Specialist at HCLS Central Branch who loves reading, football, and taking nice long walks around his neighborhood.