A Library Card Belongs on Every School Supply List

New notebooks, sharpened pencils, a backpack — and a library card.

As Twin Cities students head back to school, their local public libraries offer an entire collection of free tools that can make the school year a little easier for students and their families. From 24/7 online tutoring and research databases to Wi-Fi access, reading recommendations and in-person homework help, many of those resources are available with nothing more than a library card.

One of the most useful is Brainfuse HelpNow, available through Twin Cities metro public libraries (melsa.org/brainfuse-helpnow). Students in grades K–12 can connect with a live tutor online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with tutoring available in both English and Spanish. Adult learners can use the service, too.

HelpNow goes beyond answering a tricky math question. Students can get help with a range of subjects and writing assignments from a real person, making it a resource they can return to throughout the school year — especially when a parent or caregiver may not know how to explain algebra the way the teacher does.

Libraries also offer plenty of places to turn when a research assignment comes home.

Instead of sorting through search results and wondering which websites are reliable, students can use library research databases with age-appropriate, trusted information. Anoka County Library, for example, connects young learners with resources including Britannica School and Britannica Fundamentals, while BookFlix pairs animated stories with related nonfiction books to help younger readers build literacy and real-world knowledge.

For students who need a little more help, some libraries bring tutoring into the library itself. Hennepin County Library offers free in-person Homework Help for K–12 students at participating locations beginning Sept. 8 this year, with no advance registration required. For students in grades K-5 who are looking for reading support, Hennepin County Library’s Let’s Read program provides weekly scheduled one-on-one support. Dakota County Library also offers one-on-one Homework Help with volunteers for K–12 students at its Burnhaven and Galaxie locations.

And sometimes the biggest homework obstacle isn’t the homework — it’s getting online to do it. Public libraries provide free Wi-Fi and computers for students who need a place to work after school.

The library can help with reading assignments, too. NoveList K–8 Plus helps young readers discover books based on their interests, reading level or favorite authors. Meanwhile, the MELSA: Twin Cities Metro eLibrary gives library cardholders access to eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines through Libby (melsa.org/libby), making it possible to carry a library’s worth of reading on a phone or tablet.

For multilingual families and students learning another language, library resources extend beyond English. Transparent Language Online offers learning in more than 100 languages, including English-language instruction for speakers of several languages, while library collections throughout the metro include books and other materials in languages spoken in their communities.

Older students can take their learning beyond homework assignments. LinkedIn Learning offers thousands of online video courses covering software, technology, business and creative skills — useful for a teenager (or adult) who wants to learn Excel, coding, graphic design, photography or another skill that may not fit into the regular school day.

And libraries themselves remain one of the best back-to-school resources of all.

Students can find a quiet place to study, use a computer or printer, meet classmates for a group project, ask a librarian for research help, or simply find their next book. Libraries throughout Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties and the City of Saint Paul also offer programs throughout the school year, from STEM and art activities to teen events, book clubs and opportunities to explore new interests.

Public libraries also work alongside schools and school libraries to support students beyond their own buildings. Partnerships vary across the metro, but can include providing books and other materials to schools, connecting students and educators with library resources, supporting classroom learning and helping make sure young people know about the free tools available to them through their public library. These partnerships help extend the reach of library collections and services to students where they already spend much of their day.

Many of these tools are available outside library walls, providing homework and learning support at home, after school, in the evening and on weekends. Resources and services vary by library system and location, so families should check with their local library to learn exactly what they can access.

So as families check off this year’s school supply lists, there’s one more item worth adding — and it doesn’t require a trip to the store.

A library card.

Visit your local library or its website to get yours and discover what’s available to you and your community.