Kids

Kids

Read away your fines

Time is Money – This program allows young people (age 17 and younger) to reduce library card fines by reading.

For a penny a minute, in increments of 20 minutes, kids can read off their fines, up to $7.00 per calendar year.

Why do you offer this program?

We all return materials late sometimes‚ so why not pay your fines in a fun way… Read Away Fines helps increase your skills and decrease your fines, all at once.

How do I read off my fines?

First, read. Then, fill out a Read Away Fines form (also available from staff at your library) with your library card number, name, and amount read. Both you and your parent or guardian sign the form and bring it to the checkout desk.

Are there any restrictions?

Yes. You cannot read away the cost of a lost item, read away fines if your account has been sent to the collection agency, read ahead for fines not yet accrued, or read away fines from someone else’s card.

Do I have to remember how much of my fines I’ve read off?

No, we’ll keep track of that for you.

What if I’m not reading yet?

We count being read to in the same way we count reading. For example, if an older sister reads aloud to a younger brother, both may submit that time for Read Away Fines on their respective library cards.

Can I read stuff besides books?

You can read anything you want. Library books. Comics. Magazines. Cereal boxes. If you can read it (for at least 20 minutes) we will count it.

Homework Help

Khan Academy

An extensive library of content, including interactive challenges, assessments, and videos

SparkNotes

Collection of over 200 study guides on topics including literature, philosophy, chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics

DKfindout!

Includes sound, video, animation, quizzes, and interactive features on topics from science and math to geography and history

Fact Monster

Kids only version of the Infoplease Almanac that includes a dictionary, encyclopedia, homework center, “today in history,” and a word of the day

HelpNow

Online tutors for all ages available every day from 2-10pm; skills building, practice tests, study tools, and online collaboration available any time

Valid library card number required

Opposing Viewpoints in Context

Articles on topics of current social issues, presents the facts as well as arguments of proponents and detractors

Valid library card number required

ProQuest

Popular magazines and scholarly journal articles

Valid library card number required

eLibrary

Easy-to-use resources for K-12 students, including ProQuest Learning: Literature and History Study Center

Valid library card number required

SIRS Discoverer

High quality content in current events, history, health, language arts, math, science, social studies, and technology for elementary and middle school

Valid library card number required

World Book

The entire enclyclopedia plus maps, audio, videos, and interactive tools

Valid library card number required

Pronunciator

Interactive and self-paced language learning

Valid library card number require


ENGLISH AND LITERATURE

CliffsNotes

Notes on over 130 literature titles by title or topic to read online for free

Purdue Online Writing Lab

Writing resources and citation guides to assist with many writing projects

TumbleBookCloud

Online collection of teen novels, classics, graphic novels, poetry, and more for middle and high schools readers

Valid library card number required

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY

CIA World Factbook

Information about the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues of hundreds of countries

HistoryLink

Online encyclopedia of Washington state and local history

Spokane Historical

Project of the Public History program at Eastern Washington University for telling stories of Spokane and Eastern Washington using maps and landmarks

CultureGrams

Cultural information on peoples throughout the world

Valid library card number required

Biographies of contemporary and historical figures

Valid library card number required

MATH AND SCIENCE

Student Science

Science news articles and suggestions for hands-on activities, books, and web resources

Science in Context

Articles, experiments, biographies, images, videos, and more

Valid library card number required