Staff ePicks

With the change in seasons comes the chance to explore new sights, sounds and experiences with your children. There’s so much to love about fall — from sweater weather and apple-picking to outdoor adventures and seasonal crafting. For this week’s Staff ePicks, we’ve gathered some of our favorite library resources for celebrating autumn and all that it brings, including eBooks, audiobooks, research tools, streaming videos and librarian-led activities.

eBooks and audiobooks

• Load up your tablet with chapter books for early readers and picture books the whole family can enjoy from the Fall Titles collection on OverDrive or the Libby app.
• Thanksgiving may look a little different this year, but one thing you can count on are on-demand eBooks and audiobooks about Turkey Day from Hoopla Digital.
• BookFlix is a site that pairs animated storybooks with related nonfiction eBooks and learning activities to build a love of reading and real-world knowledge. Explore book pairings about autumn, rainy days and Thanksgiving.

Streaming videos

Enjoy fall-themed animated storybooks and TV shows on Kanopy Kids.

• Fletcher and the Falling Leaves
• Max’s Thanksgiving

Fall activities

Join your LCPL librarians on YouTube for seasonal stories and crafts.

• Storytime featuring Yellow Time: Sit back and enjoy this beautiful picture book all about autumn, then head outside for a leafy craft.
• Nature Journal Activity: Follow along with a tutorial to create a twig-bound notebook for recording outdoor observations.

Research

• When you need reliable information and primary-source documents, turn to Gale in Context: Elementary. Children can explore age-appropriate resources on topics such as autumn, Pilgrims and turkeys or read a biography about Squanto.
• Use the Scholastic Go! database to discover all kinds of facts about the seasons. Start by searching for “Thanksgiving Day” or “apples.”

This month, readers across Loudoun County will be diving into LCPL’s 1book 1community pick, Front Desk — a novel that has the modern immigration experience at the center of its plot. With that in mind, we thought we’d take a look at some other eBooks and library resources dedicated to immigration in America. Here you’ll find fiction and nonfiction for all ages as well as streaming movies and documentaries that represent multiple points of view. We also have self-paced online classes to prepare for the U.S. citizenship test or to better communicate with people from different cultures.

eBooks

Explore a variety of eBooks for children, teens and adults about emigration and the immigrant experience on OverDrive (or the Libby app) and Hoopla. You’ll find first-hand accounts, picture books and plenty of nonfiction.

• eBooks for adults on OverDrive
• eBooks for teens on OverDrive
• eBooks for children on OverDrive
• eBooks for all ages on Hoopla
• eBooks for children on Hoopla

Online learning

• U.S. Citizenship Test Preparation: This self-paced course on Universal Class* prepares applicants to take each section of the U.S. Citizenship Test and addresses topics such as Civics, the U.S. Government, History, Geography, Reading and Writing. You'll also get tips on how to study and prepare for the test.
• Cross-Cultural Communication: Build awareness and mindfulness in intercultural interactions with this course on Universal Class*. Learn about culture-based values, barriers to successful intercultural communication, nonverbal communication, and conflict dispute and resolution.

* NEW USERS: Register here if you’re using Universal Class for the first time.

Streaming movies

These films on Kanopy explore what it's like to be an immigrant in America:

• Reunification: This award-winning documentary gives an insider view on the contemporary Asian American immigrant experience, family psychology and personal filmmaking.
• The Price: Seyi, a Nigerian-American working on Wall Street, must navigate complicated family expectations and a system of cultural complexities caused by class and race.
• Maid in America: Three years in the making, this documentary takes an intimate and emotional look into the lives of three Latinas who work as nannies and housekeepers in Los Angeles.
• Miles From the Border: Filmed in the late 1980s, siblings from Mexico share their stories of dislocation and their determination to succeed while living in California.

Virtual library event

Let’s Talk About Immigration: Monday, Nov. 9, 3 p.m. Join representatives from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for a live presentation focused on immigration, including permanent residency, visa applications and avoiding fraud. Use this link to access the program.

Prepping for Thanksgiving dinner can be daunting — perhaps especially so in a year like no other. One way to get ahead of that stress is to start your meal-planning early so you can make the most of the holiday. With that in mind, we're serving up some of our favorite holiday eCookbooks to help pull your menu together: from foolproof sides and pies, to vegan mains and everything in between. It's also the time of year that cooking magazines put out their holiday issues. Library card-holders can download the digital editions for free — and keep them forever!

eCookbooks

• Switch up your Thanksgiving spread with new recipes for sides, mains and desserts from popular holiday eCookbooks on OverDrive or the Libby app.
  ​
  • The Side Dish Bible
  • The Perfect Pie
  • Danielle Walker's Against All Grain Celebrations
  • Vegan for the Holidays
  • The Instant Pot Holiday Cookbook
  • Pie Academy
  • Vegan Vegetarian Omnivore
     
• Looking for more? Get instant access to our collection of holiday eCookbooks on Hoopla. (No waits or holds!)

eMagazines

Save on clutter by downloading the holiday issues of your favorite magazines on RB Digital.

• Bon Appetit
• Cook's Illustrated
• Food Network Magazine
• Good Housekeeping
• O, The Oprah Magazine
• Taste of Home
• VegNews

Online learning

Take your Thanksgiving desserts to the next level with Pie Baking 101*, a free self-paced class on Universal Course where you’ll learn how to master crust, fruit pies, holiday pies, nut pies, ice-cream pies and custard pies.

* NEW USERS: Register here if you’re using Universal Class for the first time.

With winter right around the corner, it’s time to crank up the heat in your workshop and get started on some woodworking projects to improve your indoor spaces. Whether you’re a regular Bob Vila or a complete novice, there’s something for every skill level among the library’s eResources. When you need advice or project ideas, woodworking eBooks and eMagazines are just a click away. And when it comes to those inevitable purchases, ease your mind by consulting full ratings and reviews on Consumer Reports.

eBooks

• Get instant access to eBooks on Hoopla featuring woodworking plans and information on specific topics like furniture making, wood burning, whittling, cabinetry, flooring and tools.
  • Woodwork
  • Wood Toys
     
• Search for “woodworking” on the EBSCO database to access full-text PDFs of project-based books, including several geared toward kids.
  ​
• You’ll find eBooks by Nick Offerman and Clint Harp among the woodworking selection on OverDrive or the Libby app.

eMagazines

Download current and past issues of these magazines on RB Digital — they’re yours to keep forever!

• Family Handyman
• Popular Woodworking
• Woodcraft Magazine
• Woodworker's Journal
   

Consumer Reports

Before purchasing a big-ticket item, check Consumer Reports. The library provides full access to unbiased reviews and buying guides for drills, wood stains and chainsaws, plus videos like How to Stain a Wood Deck.

Talking with children about the election may seem daunting, but a good book is the perfect way to open a conversation or explain the political system. With Loudoun County voters heading to the polls over the next few weeks, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite library resources for discussing voting, the Constitution, the Electoral College and more. For additional information, download our kids reading list or check out advice from Common Sense Media about guiding children through election season.

eBooks

• Our Democracy for Kids eBook collection on OverDrive or the Libby app features a variety of nonfiction for elementary and middle school students. You’ll find eBooks filled with facts and colorful illustrations covering voting, historical figures and civics.
   
• BookFlix is a site that pairs animated storybooks with related nonfiction eBooks to build a love of reading and real-world knowledge. You’ll find these books about the Founding Fathers under the “People and Places” category.
  • So You Want to Be President? +
    George Washington
  • John, Paul, George & Ben + Benjamin Franklin
     

Research

• When you just want the facts, turn to the Gale in Context: Elementary database. From the home page, click “Social Studies” and then “Government and Civics” or “U.S. Presidents” for articles, facts and candidate biographies, designed for Grades K-5.
   
• Use the Scholastic Go! database to discover all kinds of information about elections. Search for topics like “democracy,” “voting” or “U.S. President.”

Audiobooks

These accessible audiobooks are great starting points for learning about government. Listen to them instantly on Hoopla Digital.

• George Washington
• The Bill of Rights
• Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution
• Duck for President
• How Does Government Work? series
   

Streaming videos

• I Can Be President: A Kid’s-Eye View: This animated documentary features a diverse group of children who share candid, even profound thoughts on subjects such as ethics, civics, diversity, war, leadership and becoming an adult. Watch it on Kanopy Kids.
   
• Grace for President: When Grace’s teacher reveals that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decides to be the first. And she immediately starts off her political career as a candidate in the school's mock election. Watch it on Kanopy Kids.

There are many benefits to learning a foreign language, and you have a variety of free tools at your fingertips through the library. Language learners looking for a Rosetta Stone type of experience can save tons of money by instead using Mango Languages or Rocket Languages. These are our top-recommended apps, featuring instruction in dozens of languages with easy-to-use, self-paced systems. Complement your learning by listening to an audiobook in the car or downloading a more traditional instructional eBook.

Online learning

The library has two free language-learning platforms:

• Mango Languages offers access to lessons and exercises for over 70 languages — including hard-to-find dialects like Urdu, Tamil and Javanese — at two levels. “Mango Basic” is designed to teach simple, practical and polite conversational skills for beginners. “Mango Complete” courses offer 100 lessons on each language for a more in-depth learning experience, as well as ESL classes. Visit the website or download the app: Android | Apple
• Rocket Languages comes with podcast-type discussions or dialogues where hosts talk about a certain topic (e.g. preparing for a party). Rather than memorizing a list of expressions, you’re listening to interactions along with the text you’ll need to keep up with the conversations. Instruction is provided in 14 languages, including American Sign Language. Visit the website or download the app: Android | Apple
   

For English learners

Basic English Speaking Skills* is a self-paced online course through Universal Class that covers essential vocabulary and sentence development.

* NEW USERS: Register here if you’re using Universal Class for the first time.

eBooks and audiobooks

You’ll find a variety of resources for language learners on our eBook and audiobook platforms. These are great for pairing with instruction on Mango Languages or Rocket Languages to reinforce your lessons.

• Foreign Language Study eBooks and audiobooks on OverDrive or the Libby app
• Foreign Language Study eBooks on Hoopla
• Language audiobooks on Freegal
   

Streaming documentaries

Sit back and enjoy these films on Kanopy.

• Speaking In Tongues: The History of Language: This five-part series traces the history and evolution of language while evaluating the scope of linguistic diversity, the dissemination of language, the expansion of language into written form, and the life cycle of language.
• Tongues of Heaven: Saving Native Languages: Set in Taiwan and Hawaii, territories where languages of the Austronesian family are spoken, this experimental documentary focuses on the questions, desires and challenges of young indigenous peoples to learn the languages of their forebears.

Knowing how to properly handle yourself in a variety of situations can pay great dividends. Sure, there's Zoom etiquette and COVID etiquette, but we're tipping our hat this week to the basics of polite conversation and good manners in our Staff ePicks. Whether you’re looking for a crash-course in business decorum, helpful eBooks for kids or adults, or a primer on Downton Abbey-esque traditions, there’s something for everyone among the library’s online resources.

Online learning

• Here’s your chance to master the unwritten rules of communication in the business world. In these two Lynda.com courses, you’ll learn to navigate common workplace situations with professionalism, including setting the right tone in emails and texts, handling conflict with grace and working with different personality types.
  • Business Etiquette: Meetings, Meals and Networking Events
  • Business Etiquette: Phone, Email and Text
     
• Etiquette 101* is a self-paced course on Universal Class that covers the rules of good behavior for everyday situations, including the common courtesies of life that many of us have forgotten or may not have learned. Get tips for being a polite guest, giving and receiving gifts, offering condolences, making small talk and more.

* NEW USERS: Register here if you’re using Universal Class for the first time.

eBooks

When questions about etiquette and proper behavior arise, turn to an eBook for a quick and reliable reference. In our collections, you’ll find advice about letter writing, proper speech, business conduct, manners guides for kids and much more.

• Etiquette eBooks on Hoopla Digital
• Etiquette eBooks on OverDrive or the Libby app
   

Streaming videos

Polished protocol awaits with these shows on Kanopy.

• The Manners of Downton Abbey: Enter the world of 1900s English etiquette with the historical advisor to the hit drama series.
• Social Media Manners: This primer on online behavior contains valuable advice for all social media users about mastering the basics of courtesy.
• Etiquette Hotline: Table Manners: Presented from a teen point of view, this program emphasizes avoiding embarrassing mistakes in social settings.

September is National Yoga Month and while there’s just one week left, there’s plenty of time to squeeze in a good workout or two. For this week’s Staff ePicks, we rounded up some of our favorite digital resources for practicing yoga at home. Our collection of streaming videos and online courses are perfect for on-demand instruction covering a wide range of needs and experience levels. And if you aren’t ready to hit the mat just yet, there are many ways to read about yoga with eBooks, audiobooks and digital editions of Yoga Journal.

Streaming videos

• Follow along with on-demand instructional videos through Hoopla Digital. Choose from dozens of workouts based on your experience or interest.
   
• Both of these series on Kanopy offer instruction to address specific needs, such as pain relief, heart health, depression and anxiety, sleep disorders, and knee problems.
  • Yoga for a Healthy Mind and Body
  • Yoga for Health: The Benefits of Yoga
  • Search for “yoga” to find other instructional films as well as documentaries.

eBooks and audiobooks

• You’ll find a range of titles on yoga through OverDrive or the Libby app, including how-tos, books for kids and even a few novels.
   
• Get instant access to over 300 yoga eBooks, plus streaming audiobooks that walk you through a variety of yoga sessions on Hoopla Digital.

Streaming music

You know that groovy, ambient music they play in yoga classes? You can stream hours and hours of it using Freegal Music through the library. It's just the thing to help you relax and focus (even if you aren’t doing yoga!). You can even find music pre-tailored to 30- or 60-minute workouts.

Online learning

Bring the yoga studio home with these self-paced courses on Universal Class.

• The Art of Breathing*
• Yoga 101*

* NEW USERS: Register here if you’re using Universal Class for the first time.

eMagazines

Download current and past issues of Yoga Journal on RB Digital. They’re yours to keep forever!

A few weeks back, we featured some of our favorite cat-centric eResources for kids. So, it’s only fair that dogs should have their day! For new or reluctant readers, eBooks and audiobooks about dogs are a friendly and enticing way to develop a love of reading. We especially recommend read-alongs, like these PAW Patrol titles as well as interactive stories on BookFlix. Our kid-friendly databases Scholastic Go! and Gale In Context are also great for learning all about pets or service animals.

eBooks

• Young animal lovers will find plenty to enjoy in the Who’s A Good Boy?  Who’s A Good Girl? eBook collection on OverDrive Kids. It features classics like White Fang, Because of Winn-Dixie and Old Yeller (bring your tissues!), plus such series as Clifford, PAW Patrol, Survivors and Dog Man.
   
• These three nonfiction titles are designed to help kids understand and appreciate the basics of dog care and training. Borrow them instantly on Hoopla Digital.
  • Kids and Dogs
  • Big Dogs and Puppy Facts for Kids
  • Dog Training Guide for Kids
     
• BookFlix is a site that pairs animated storybooks with related nonfiction eBooks and learning activities to build a love of reading and real-world knowledge. You’ll find these tales about police and fire pups under the “Family and Community” category.
  • Dot the Fire Dog + A Very Busy Firehouse
  • Officer Buckle and Gloria + Police Officers on the Go!

Virtual storytimes

Join your LCPL librarians online for stories and songs all about dogs.

• Dog’s Colorful Day
• Where’s Spot?
• Rhymes About Pets
• Bark, George

Streaming videos

• Guide Dogs: This episode of Curiosity Quest takes viewers on an amazing journey to learn what it is like to depend on a guide dog. Watch it on Kanopy Kids.
• Boy, A Dog, and A Frog: In this short adaptation of a classic book, a young boy and his dog spend an afternoon trying to capture a playful frog at a nearby pond. Watch it on Kanopy Kids.

Research

• Dog-curious kids will love exploring the Gale in Context: Elementary database (formerly Kids InfoBits). From the home page, click “Animals” and then “Pets and Farm Animals” for articles, facts and images of dogs, designed for Grades K-5.
• Use the Scholastic Go! database to discover all kinds of information about our furry friends. Start by searching for “dogs” or “service dogs.”

Sure, the internet is full of recipes and cooking videos. But when you want something trustworthy, just pick up your library card. We have tons of resources for the home cook that are only a click away. One of our favorites: Free online courses from Universal Class. These self-paced lessons can help you master skills like bread baking, cake decorating and basic cooking techniques, all from your kitchen. And don’t forget about eCookbooks! They’re your chance to test-drive some of the most popular cookbooks on the market or to track down a coveted recipe.

eBooks

• If it’s new recipes that you seek, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy with the Let’s Start Cooking eCookbook collection on OverDrive or the Libby app. Choose from titles penned by celebrity chefs like Ina Garten and Mark Bittman, weeknight sanity-savers, basic cooking primers and much more.​
   
• Wondering what to make for dinner tonight? You’re in luck: These eCookbooks on Hoopla Digital are available instantly.
  • Cooking for Beginners
  • Cooking on a Budget
  • Welcome Home Cookbook
  • From Scratch
  • Cooking Fundamentals
  • Kitchen Math Measuring
  • Christopher Kimball's Milk Street Television

eMagazines

Save on subscriptions and clutter by downloading current and past digital issues of these popular food and cooking magazines on RB Digital.

• Bon Appetit
• Clean Eating
• Cook’s Country
• Cook’s Illustrated
• Food Network Magazine
• Taste of Home
• Mother Earth Living

Online learning

Master a new kitchen skill with these free, self-paced courses on Universal Class:

• All About Herbs*
• Bread Baking 101*
• Cooking and Baking 101*
• Cake Decorating 101*
• How to Bake Cookies*
• Italian Cooking 101*
• Pie Baking 101*
• Tex Mex Cooking 101*

* NEW USERS: Register here if you’re using Universal Class for the first time.

Streaming videos

Kick back and enjoy on-demand access to documentaries and PBS shows on Kanopy.

• Alice Waters and Her Delicious Revolution: This episode of PBS’s American Masters series follows the famed chef through a year of seasonal shopping and cooking, revealing both the recipes and vision of an artist and an advocate.
• Cooking Fundamentals: Success in the Kitchen: Chef Dave Christopherson demonstrates a variety of basic techniques, including baking, blanching, grilling, roasting, simmering, stir-frying and more as he prepares three simple meals.

With summer winding down, it’s time to start squirreling away the bounty from your garden or local farmers market. If you’re new to canning and preserving, the library has a host of eBooks to help get you started. Seasoned veterans seeking new recipe-inspiration will find plenty to enjoy here, too, as well as in eMagazines like Mother Earth News. For hands-on learners, the library also has a comprehensive online course through Universal Class that covers all kinds of preservation methods, including freezing, canning, drying, smoking and even preserving beverages.

eBooks

• Need some recipes in a hurry? Our Canning and Preserving eBooks on Hoopla Digital are available instantly without waitlists.
   
• Like the perfect peach, these titles have been hand-picked for your enjoyment. Reserve them now on OverDrive or the Libby app.
  • Foolproof Preserving: A Guide to Small Batch Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Condiments & More by America’s Test Kitchen
  • Batch: Over 200 Recipes, Tips and Techniques for a Well-Preserved Kitchen by Joel MacCharles
  • My Pantry: Homemade Ingredients That Make Simple Meals Your Own by Alice Waters

eMagazines

Browse and download current and back issues of Mother Earth News for great food preservation tips. Look for more inspiration in Cook’s Illustrated, VegNews and other food and cooking eMagazines on RB Digital.

Online learning

Go beyond pickles with How to Can, Freeze, Dry and Preserve Food*, a self-paced online course on Universal Class. You’ll discover how to make the most of your harvest through freezing, canning, drying, smoking and even preserving beverages!

* NEW USERS: Register here if you’re using Universal Class for the first time.

September is National Sewing Month and we couldn’t let this designation pass without sharing some of the library’s online resources for sewers. If you’re a newbie, we recommend starting with an online course on Universal Class, where you can cover all of the basics at your own pace. There’s also plenty of inspiration to be found among the pages of Beadwork and Piecework eMagazines – you can even download these publications and keep them forever! And lastly, we have dozens (and dozens) of eBooks for project ideas or learning new skills.

eBooks

Crochet, mending, applique, quilt blocks, upholstery fixes – there’s an eBook for just about every interest on OverDrive or the Libby app. Browse these categories:

• Needlework
• Quilting
• Sewing

Dive into one of these eBook categories on Hoopla Digital and start planning your next project:

• Beadwork
• Felting
• Needlework
• Patchwork
• Quilts and Quilting
• Sewing

eMagazines

Catch up on current and back issues of popular magazines on RBDigital.

• Beadwork
• Piecework
   

Online learning

These free, self-paced courses on Universal Class will walk you through everything you need to know, from supplies and first stitches to step-by-step tutorials.

• Knitting 101*
• Sewing 101*

* NEW USERS: Register here if you’re using Universal Class for the first time.

There’s just something about cats that children are drawn to. Whether they have one at home or see one in the pet store, kids are intrigued by the playful, bouncing nature of cats. For this week's Staff ePicks, we've put together a list of eBooks, databases and videos to delight and inform the feline-loving children in your life. From informational sites to beloved fictional characters, these kid-friendly digital library resources are just a click away.

eBooks and audiobooks

• Load up your tablet with Pete the Cat, the Warriors series and other kitty-centric easy-readers from the Meow! Cats for Kids eBook collection on OverDrive and the Libby app.
   
• These three titles are purr-fect for sharing as a family. Borrow them instantly on Hoopla Digital.
  • The Kids’ Cat Book by Tomie DePaola
  • Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat by Gary Paulsen
  • Here Kitty! Kitty! Fun Facts Cats Book​

Streaming shows

Catch up on PBS’s Nature Cat series or Earth To Luna’s sweet “A Cat’s Whiskers” episode on Kanopy Kids.

Virtual storytime

Join Ms. Jennifer from Brambleton Library online for interactive songs and stories all about cats, including the classic “Three Little Kittens.” Watch now on YouTube. (See more storytimes with LCPL librarians!)

Research

• Cat-curious kids will love exploring the Gale in Context: Elementary database (formerly Kids InfoBits). From the home page, click “Animals” and then “Pets and Farm Animals” for articles, facts and images of cats, designed for Grades K-5.
   
• Use the Scholastic Go! database to discover all kinds of information about our furry friends. Start by searching for “longhaired cats” or “shorthaired cats."

It’s that time of year when we normally spend more time outdoors. But, for many, 2020 has been the year of staying at home. So when getting outside isn’t an option, how can you still enjoy a healthy dose of nature? Books, of course! And documentaries, too. In fact, research has shown that simply watching nature shows – for any amount of time – can boost positive emotions and lower stress. With that in mind, we’ve compiled some of our favorite ways to explore nature on page and screen … all without leaving your couch.

eBooks and audiobooks

• You’ll find an array of nonfiction about animals, the restorative power of nature and scientific discoveries among our Explore the Natural World eBook collection on OverDrive and the Libby app.
   
• Deepen your appreciation and awareness of nature with these on-demand reads from Hoopla Digital.
  • Mindfulness and the Natural World
  • The Secret Wisdom of Nature
  • The Nature Instinct
  • Curious by Nature
  • Nature Underfoot (audiobook)
  • Identifying Animal Tracks
  • Looking for more? Browse 3,000+ Nature titles!
     

eMagazines

Catch up on current and back issues of popular magazines through RBDigital.

• Backpacker
• Field and Stream
• Outdoor Life

Streaming films and shows

Kick back and enjoy on-demand access to documentaries and PBS shows on Kanopy.

• Forces of Nature: How We Experience Earth's Natural Forces (PBS)
• Love Thy Nature
• Nature (PBS)
• Nature's Miniature Miracles (PBS)
• Nature: What Plants Talk About (PBS)
• Learning to See: The World of Insects
   

Online learning

Increase your understanding of the world around us and our relationship with it through free self-paced courses on Universal Class.*

• Geology 101
• Ecology 101

* NEW USERS: Register here if you’re using Universal Class for the first time.

The study of genealogy and family history is a great way to connect to the past. And your family history is at your fingertips through a variety of high-quality online genealogical resources. For this week’s Staff ePicks, we’ve pulled together some of the library’s best tools for exploring your family's roots right from your home computer. If you’re looking research local history, don’t forget to check Thomas Balch Library’s rich array of Loudoun County materials.

Research

• Ancestry.com Library Edition delivers billions of records in census data, vital records, directories, photos and more from countries all over the world. Recently added are over 750 million obituaries dating to the 1800s. Looking to jumpstart your research? Visit the Learning Center first.
   
• You’ll also want to take a look at HeritageQuest Online, which includes hard-to-find resources such as the U.S. Indian Census Rolls and the Freedman’s Bank Record.
   
• The ProQuest Civil War Era database allows you to search multiple historical newspapers for relatives who were involved in the war.

eBooks

On Hoopla Digital, you’ll discover a variety of helpful eBooks in the genealogy and heraldry category: From the general (The Family Tree Toolkit) to the specific (The Scottish Pioneers of Upper Canada) and everything in between. Click to explore them all.

Online learning

• Genealogy 101 is a self-paced online course through the library’s Universal Class database that features nine hours of video-based instruction with exams and assignments to help you focus your search. Register here if you’re using Universal Class for the first time.
• Go beyond searching records and learn how to interview relatives and write historical narratives with Discovering Your Roots: An Introduction to Genealogy – part of The Great Courses series, which is available for streaming on Kanopy.

Art is known to strengthen our brains and improve our moods – and the great news is you don’t have be Michelangelo to reap these rewards. Anyone (yes, even you!) can make and benefit from art. For this week’s Staff ePicks, we’ve compiled some of our top digital resources for learning the basics of drawing and painting. With your library card, you’re just a click away from free online classes in drawing and painting as well as eBooks to help tap into your inner artist.

Online learning

You don’t need to spend big bucks on in-person art classes or subscription services to learn the finer points of drawing and painting. With your library card, you can get the art-school experience right in your home, on your own time, with free online courses. There are a few different platforms to choose from, but they all offer expert instruction on technique and theory, plus hands-on tutorials. Explore these options and see which one works for you.

• How to Draw: The Great Courses (Kanopy)
• How to Draw 101* (Universal Class)
• Drawing Foundations: Fundamentals (Lynda.com)
   
• How to Paint: The Great Courses (Kanopy)
• Acrylic Painting 101* (Universal Class)
• Watercolor Painting 101* (Universal Class)
• Painting Foundations: Acrylic (Lynda.com)

* NEW USERS: Register here if you’re using Universal Class for the first time.

eBooks

• The best way to learn about art is to do it. So, dive into one of these eBook categories on Hoopla Digital and get started creating.

Acrylic Painting | Calligraphy
Cartooning | Color
Drawing | Life Drawing
Oil Painting | Painting
Pastel Drawing | Pen & Ink Drawing
Pencil Drawing | Watercolor Painting

• The Drawing and Painting collection on OverDrive and the Libby app features even more instructional-based eBooks as well as titles to spark creativity.

We’ve hit the midpoint of summer and many parents are looking for ways to keep children entertained during these long, hot weeks. Tackling a technology topic can help your child beat boredom and teach them valuable skills. If your kid loves hands-on projects or if they just like to make a mess, there are a number of free tools and eBooks available online through the library that can help.

eBooks

• The Tech for Kids collection on OverDrive and the Libby app features Lego building guides, project-based eBooks, biographies about inventors and sci-fi adventures.
• The Gale Virtual Reference Library will help you turn your home into a classroom, with instant access to over 170 eBooks about STEAM and coding subjects designed just for children.
• STEAM Lab for Kids features 52 creative hands-on projects for exploring science, technology, engineering, art and math. Get it on the Safari Tech Books database.
• In Build Your Own Robots, kids get to become robotics engineers by building a variety of machines using easy-to-follow illustrated instructions. Get it on Hoopla Digital along with other STEAM eBooks for younger kids and older kids.

Research

• Great for K-5 school projects and curious kids in general, the Gale in Context: Elementary database (formerly Kids InfoBits) has tons of resources for research and learning. From the home page, click “Technology” and start exploring categories like Computers, Transportation, and Engineering and Invention. Each category is packed with articles, videos, images and primary source documents.
• Use the Scholastic Go! database to research all kinds of topics – from computers and robots to spacecrafts and artificial intelligence.

Streaming videos

• Movie Animatronics: This episode of Curiosity Quest takes viewers into a world where special effects and robotics combine to create movie magic. Watch it on Kanopy Kids.
• Sesame Street: Elmo and Christina Hendricks Discuss Technology: Introduce your little ones to the concept of technology in this short clip. (You can also watch full episodes of Sesame Street on Kanopy Kids.)

Whether you’re just starting as a photographer or you’ve been following your creative passion for years, there’s never an excuse to stop learning. If you’re looking to harness the power of your DSLR camera or take your cellphone photos to the next level, the library has you covered with online photography courses, eBooks and streaming documentaries to inspire and inform.

eBooks

• The Books for Photography Lovers collection on OverDrive and the Libby app features a range of how-to eBooks, memoirs from famous photographers and collections of stunning images.
   
• If you’re serious about stepping up your skills, the Safari Tech Books database is your go-to source for on-demand instructional books. Search for “photography” to find these titles and many more.
  • The Digital Photography Book
  • The Art, Science, and Craft of Great Landscape Photography
  • Light on the Landscape
  • The Posing Playbook for Photographing Kids
  • Crafting the Natural Look Light
     
• These accessible eBooks are great starting points for the beginning shooter. Borrow them instantly on the Hoopla Digital platform.
  • Photography: The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Taking Stunning Professional Photographs
  • Creative Nature Photography
  • How to Rule At Photography
  • Digital Photography for Beginners (audiobook)

Streaming movies

Sit back and take in a documentary about these famed photographers on Kanopy. (Find even more films in the "Photography" category under "Browse" => "The Arts.")

• Jeff Wall: Retrospective
• Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People
• Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lightning
• In No Great Hurry: 13 Lessons in Life with Photographer Saul Leiter

Online learning

Free self-paced, college-level courses are a click away with Universal Class.

• Digital Photography*
• Photography 101: Beginner to Intermediate*

* NEW USERS: Register here if you’re using Universal Class for the first time.

eMagazines

Download current and back issues of photography magazines on RB Digital.

• Digital Photo
• Outdoor Photographer

Major League Baseball is set to resume later this month, but the abbreviated season is already shaping up to be a strange one. While fans might not get the games of their dreams, there’s still plenty to look forward to. To help pass the time until Opening Day, we’ve devoted this week’s Staff ePicks to some of our favorite eBooks and other digital resources about baseball, whether you’re looking for a history lesson, documentaries or books for kids. Don’t forget to sign up for the Summer Reading Program and start reading your way toward a free Washington Nationals ticket!

eBooks and audiobooks

The Play Ball! collection on OverDrive and the Libby app features new biographies about Willie Mays and Yogi Berra as well as plenty of fiction, nonfiction and titles for sports-loving kids exploring the history, artistry and nuance of baseball.

eComics

Immerse yourself in America’s pastime with historical cartoons as well as illustrated adventures for kids on the Hoopla Digital platform.

• Willard Mullin's Golden Age Of Baseball Drawings 1934-1972
• Fuzzy Baseball
• The Baseball Adventure of Jackie Mitchell, Girl Pitcher Vs. Babe Ruth

Streaming movies

These documentaries on Kanopy give a voice to little-known stories from baseball’s past.

• Diamonds in the Rough: Legacy of Japanese-American Baseball
• A Long Way From Home: The Untold Story of Baseball’s Desegregation
• Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel

Play Better Baseball features 70 minutes of instruction by former University of Arizona head coach Jerry Stitt.

eMagazines

ESPN The Magazine ceased publication in 2019, but you can catch up on every issue dating back to 2013 through the RB Digital platform.

If you have a Minecraft fan in your household, you know it’s more than a hobby: Minecraft is a passion. Luckily, there are tons of ways for Minecrafters to disappear into the imaginative world they love through the pages of a book, not just through a screen. We’ve pulled together some of our most popular game guides, coding eBooks and other digital resources that you can access from home with your library card. (Parents: If you don't know your creepers from your ghasts, you might want to check out some of these titles, too!)

eBooks

• You’ll find the official Minecraft guides plus other fun adventures in our Minecraft Madness eBook collection on OverDrive or the Libby app.
• Instantly access the official Minecraft comics plus the Unofficial Minecraft Diary series on Hoopla.
• Search for “Minecraft” on the EBSCO MasterFile Complete database to explore even more eBooks about Minecraft.

Streaming movies

Take a deep dive into the creation and evolution of Minecraft with the documentary Minecraft: Through the Nether Portal on Kanopy.

Streaming music

Your gaming soundtrack is here! Listen to the Minecraft theme and other classic video-game tunes on Freegal.

STEM eBooks

Turn your home into a coding classroom with these school-level textbooks.

• Reinforce basic coding concepts and learn about the logic behind Minecraft in Understanding Coding with Minecraft on the Gale Virtual Reference Library database. (Search for “Minecraft.”)
• In Unofficial Minecraft STEM Lab for Kids, you’ll find a collection of 48 creative, collaborative projects that make STEM learning exciting for the whole family. Get it on the Safari Tech Books database.
• Coding with Minecraft is a hands-on resource that teaches you how to program bots to do cool things in the Minecraft world. Get it on the Safari Tech Books database.

The universe through the eyes of an astronomer is a fascinating place, and a good book can give you a glimpse of that world without requiring years of study. Our librarians have rounded up some of their favorite eBooks and other digital resources about astronomy and space that you can access anywhere on the planet. BONUS: Tune in Thursday, June 25, at 3 p.m. for a live stream with Loudoun County Public Library’s own NASA ambassador!

eBooks and audiobooks

• Explore a variety of titles about astronomy and astrophysics for all interest levels on OverDrive or the Libby app.
  • Astronomy titles for adults
  • Astronomy titles for kids and teens
     
• Search hundreds of astronomy eBooks and eAudiobooks available instantly on Hoopla.
   
• ​​Get complete text of books in the STEM field on the Gale Virtual Reference Library database. Search for topics like “astronomy" and “astrophysics.”

Virtual library event

Space News and Views: Join Loudoun County Public Library NASA Ambassador Amit Sircar live as he explains the latest happenings in the solar system and shares astronomical wonders that you can view from your own backyard. Thursday, June 25, 3 p.m.

Streaming music

Your stargazing soundtrack is a click away! Head to Freegal to hear music about and inspired by planets and the night sky.

• Holst The Planets
• One Giant Leap: Moon Tunes
• The Planets (Aqua Rex)
• The Planets (London Symphony Orchestra)

eMagazines

Catch up on current and back issues of popular magazines on RBDigital.

• Astronomy        
• National Geographic (July 2019)
• National Geographic (March 2019)
• Smithsonian (June 2019)
• Time/Life Bookazine: Neil Armstrong

Streaming videos

Embark on fascinating adventures to all corners of the cosmos through these in-depth series on Kanopy.

• Life in Our Universe (The Great Courses)
• The Remarkable Science of Ancient Astronomy (The Great Courses)
• Radio Astronomy (The Great Courses)
• NOVA (PBS)

Online learning

Take your love of space to the next level with free self-paced courses.

• Using Mobile Apps for Amateur Astronomy (Lynda.com)
• Astronomy 101* (Universal Class)
• Cosmology 101* (Universal Class)

* NEW USERS: Register here if you’re using Universal Class for the first time.

It’s easy for workout routines to veer off-course when unexpected changes occur – as was the case this spring, when we found ourselves spending more time at home. If you’re looking to get back on track or you just need some new motivation, the library’s digital collection has you covered. Use your library card to access streaming workouts, sports magazines, cardio music playlists and, of course, tons of eBooks about health, fitness and local recreation.

Streaming films and videos

Take a deeper dive into your favorite sports and activities with these films on Kanopy.

• Yoga for a Healthy Mind and Body (The Great Courses)
• Pilates
• Backyard Golf
• Sports & Fitness: Movies and documentaries for motivation

Follow along with popular workout series from Gaiam, Jillian Michaels and others on Hoopla.

• Yoga workouts
• Cardio workouts
• Dance workouts
• Tai chi workout
   

Online courses

These Universal Class courses are like being at the gym – minus the fees and sweaty strangers.

• Weight Training 101*
• Yoga 101*

* NEW USERS: Register here if you’re using Universal Class for the first time.

eBooks

• Explore a variety of fitness titles, plus guides to local hikes and bike rides, in the Get Active collection on OverDrive or the Libby app.
• Search hundreds of Health & Fitness titles available instantly on Hoopla.
   

eMagazines

Catch up on current and back issues of popular magazines on RBDigital.

• Backpacker
• Bicycling
• Men's Health
• Outside
• Runner's World
• Tennis
• Women’s Health
• Yoga Journal
   

Streaming music

Get your heart rate up by moving along with these playlists on Freegal.

• Cardio
• Dance
• Aerobics

Got gaming on the brain? You’re far from alone. New research from Nielsen found that 82% of global consumers played more video games amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, our staff is highlighting some of our favorite digital resources on playing, celebrating and even creating video games. From documentaries to online courses, you’ll find all of these tools right at your fingertips.

Streaming movies and shows

• Documentaries and movies about video games and gaming culture (Kanopy)
• Movies about video games (Hoopla)
• Pokemon and other shows based on games (Hoopla)

Playing video games

• Instantly access guides for popular games, including Minecraft and Pokemon. (Hoopla)
• Check out the official Minecraft handbooks and related eBooks. (OverDrive/Libby app)
• Explore a variety of eBooks for computer gamers. (OverDrive/Libby app)

Stories about video games

• eBooks: Fiction titles include Ready Player One (OverDrive/Libby app)
• Audiobooks: Unofficial Minecraft Diary series and more (Hoopla)
• eComics: Plants vs. Zombies, Mega Man, Halo and others (Hoopla)

Creating video games

• Safari Tech Books features the most in-demand guides for game programming and design. (See the “Game Programming” category.)
• Discover a variety of eBooks on coding and game development for both kids and adults using the Gale Virtual Reference Library. (Search for “video games”)
• Online learning: Game Design Foundations (Lynda.com)
• Online learning: Game Development Foundations (Lynda.com)

Research

• “Best Mac Games of the Year” (Macworld, Feb. 1, 2020)
• “Best Video Game Subscription and Streaming Services” (Consumer Reports)

Streaming music

• Music from classic and new video games (Freegal)
• Stream Tron and Call of Duty soundtracks (Hoopla)

Through every challenge, your library remains an important resource for education and information. Reading provides a window to the past in order to understand the present, and to amplify and listen to the voices of those affected by racism. Our staff has brought together a wide range of antiracism resources that we hope you'll find helpful. Whether you're discussing current events with children or teens, or you're learning for yourself, these eBooks, articles, films and courses are here for you.

eBooks

• Guides to Antiracism: Books for Adults: Explore our collection of nonfiction and fiction titles on OverDrive or the Libby app.
• Conversations on Race: Adults Reads: You’ll find a variety of fiction, memoirs and nonfiction among these titles on Hoopla.
• Guides to Antiracism: Books for Teens: Explore our collection of nonfiction and fiction titles on OverDrive or the Libby app.
• Conversations on Race: Teen Reads: This assortment of titles – which also includes audiobooks and eComics – is specifically geared toward young adults on Hoopla.

Streaming movies

• The Talk: Race in America (Kanopy)
• I Am Not Your Negro: James Baldwin and Race in America (Kanopy)
   

Online learning

These courses from Lynda.com are designed to help foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace: 

• Managing Diversity
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

eBooks for children

BookFlix: This site pairs animated storybooks with related nonfiction eBooks and learning activities to build a love of reading and real-world knowledge.

• Amazing Grace and Jackie Robinson
• Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King Day
• Martin’s Big Words and Martin Luther King, Jr.
• The Other Side and Ruby Bridges
• Rosa and Rosa Parks
• Show Way and Harriet Tubman​​
   
• Guides to Antiracism: Explore a variety of nonfiction and fiction eBooks for children and tweens on OverDrive or the Libby app.
• Talking to Kids About Race: This collection of audiobooks on Hoopla can help start a conversation with the children in your life.
   

Research

• Gale in Context: Elementary: Access news and magazine articles, encyclopedia entries and biographies about racism and implicit bias in this database for elementary-school students.
• EBSCO MasterFile Complete: This comprehensive database features hundreds of scholarly articles and full-text eBooks about racism in America.
• Newspapers (daily and historical): Search five major American papers for current news and background.
• Scholastic Go! A collection of world news sources.

Like adults, kids are struggling right now. Schools are closed, routines have changed and uncertainly seems to be part of everyday life. Now more than ever, it’s important to check in and make sure kids have all the resources they need to manage their physical and emotional well-being. 

Our children’s specialists have rounded up some of their top resources for helping kids and teens cope with the stress of life, from calming yoga sequences to teen-friendly mindfulness workbooks.

For children

eBooks

Explore these digital collections:

• Slow Down, Be Kind, Breathe (OverDrive/Libby app)
• Mindfulness for Kids (Hoopla)
• Yoga for Kids (Hoopla)

Audiobooks

• Meditation for Kids (Hoopla)
• Mindfulness for Kids (Hoopla)

Research

Your Mini Mindfulness Toolbox (Kids InfoBits)

Streaming video

• Yoga for Kids (Hoopla)
• No Yoga for Con (Kanopy)

Streaming audio

Guided meditations for kids and parents:

• Mindfulness for Children (Freegal)
• Meditations for Children, Tweens and Teens (Hoopla)

For teens

eBooks

Explore these digital collections:

• Keep Calm (OverDrive/Libby app)
• This Moment Is Your Life (and So Is This One) (OverDrive/Libby app)

Streaming audio

Meditations for Children, Tweens and Teens (Hoopla)

eMagazines

Yoga Journal (RB Digital)

Research

• The Magic of Mindfulness (Teen Health & Wellness)
• Learning the Practice of Meditation (Teen Health & Wellness)
• Curing What Ails You: Yoga Poses to Help with Cramps, Headaches and Asthma (Teen Health & Wellness)

Streaming video

Yoga for a Healthy Mind and Body: The Great Courses (Kanopy)

Birding is gaining flocks of new followers amid the coronavirus pandemic, as more people take note of the fascinating world outside our windows. After all, when you can’t be with the ones you love, a feathered friend just may suffice.

If you’re looking to explore the delightfully passive hobby of birding, all you need are eyes, ears and curiosity – plus a few handpicked library resources that you can access anywhere.

eBooks

Calling All Birders: Explore our top birding eBooks on OverDrive or the Libby app.

Research

Is Your Backyard for the Birds? (Consumer Reports)
Includes links to a free bird identification poster and information on birdfeeders.

​eMagazines

Let the birds handle pest-control in your garden!

• Mother Earth News
• Mother Earth Living

Streaming music

Learn to identify birds by ear.

• Bird Sounds (Freegal)
• Echoes of Nature: Bird Songs, Calls & Sounds (Freegal)

Online learning

• Birding in North America: The Great Courses (Kanopy)
• Bird Watching 101* (Universal Class)

* NEW USERS: Register here if you're using Universal Class for the first time.

As the weather warms up, many of us are looking to take our DIY projects outdoors. One yard task that’s gaining traction lately is gardening, with lots of homeowners looking to grow more of their own food.

If you’re thinking about brushing up on your gardening skills, then take a look at our roundup of library resources that you can access online to help transform your outdoor space into a thriving source of veggies. If you need to turn your black thumb into a green one or just find some inspiration, the library has you covered.

eBooks

Grow Your Own…Vegetables, That Is: Explore all of our gardening eBooks on OverDrive or the Libby app.

Online learning

• Introduction to Gardening* (Universal Class)
• Vegetable Gardening 101* (Universal Class)
• All About Herbs* (Universal Class)

* NEW USERS: Register here if you're using Universal Class for the first time.

Research

• ‘Backyard’ Oasis: Ways to Create a Better Space No Matter Where You Live (Consumer Reports)
• Gardening: Planting 101 (Consumers' Checkbook)
• Where to Shop for Plants (Consumers' Checkbook)
• What Garden Centers Should Supply When You Buy (Consumers' Checkbook)

Streaming music

Spring Into Goodness: Your gardening playlist! (Freegal)

eAudiobooks

• American Grown, by Michelle Obama (OverDrive/Libby app)
• Mister Owita’s Guide to Gardening, by Carol Wall (OverDrive/Libby app)
• The Botany of Desire, by Michael Pollan (OverDrive/Libby app)

eMagazines

• Mother Earth News
• Mother Earth Living

Virtual library programs

• How to Start a Garden: Librarian Lilly Newton from Rust Library provides tips for starting a vegetable garden.
• Virtual Storytime Featuring Growing Vegetable Soup: Brambleton Library’s Jennifer Roy shares stories and rhymes about things that grow.

These days, we're spending way more time inside, and if you're tired of your surroundings by now, there are plenty of small tweaks and projects that can reinvigorate your space, and hopefully, your spirit.

Here are a few library resources you can access from home to help guide you through spring cleaning, organization, redecorating and other spruce-ups.

Decluttering

eBooks and audiobooks

• Explore all of our home organization titles (OverDrive/Libby app)

Online learning

• Clutter Control 101* (Universal Class)

* NEW USERS: Register here if you're using Universal Class for the first time.

Research

• 10 Ways to Cut the Clutter on Your Kitchen Counter (Consumer Reports)
• Chores to Get Done if You're Stuck at Home (Consumer Reports)
• Five Ways to Get Cabinet Clutter Under Control (Consumer Reports)
• Dealing with Your Digital Clutter (Consumers' Checkbook)
• Decluttering Strategies: Ways to Shed Your Stuff and Simplify Your Life (Consumers' Checkbook)

Decorating Updates

eBooks and audiobooks

• Explore all of our home decorating titles (OverDrive/Libby app)

Online learning

• Feng Shui 101* (Universal Class)
• Housekeeping 101* (Universal Class)
• How to Decorate a Room* (Universal Class)
• Interior Decorating Made Easy* (Universal Class)

* NEW USERS: Register here if you're using Universal Class for the first time.

eMagazines

• Architectural Digest
• Country Living
• Dwell
• Elle Décor
• Family Handyman
• Good Housekeeping
• HGTV Magazine
• House Beautiful
• Old House Journal
• Veranda
• Woman’s Day

Research

• Backyard Oasis: Ways to Create a Better Space No Matter Where You Live (Consumer Reports)
• Ceiling Fans Add Comfort and Save Money (Consumer Reports)
• How to Pick the Perfect Paint for the Job (Consumer Reports)
• Pick the Perfect Paint Finish for Every Room (Consumer Reports)