Research Tools

• Google for Educators—These are Electronic Resources available through Google that are specifically designed to help educators. Many of these will help direct your searches toward your specific needs as a teacher.

• Class Visits & Tours—Have you ever thought about bringing your class to visit any KCPL location? Here's the information you need to begin planning your trip.

• Day Care Kits—Can you imagine opening a box full of books and ideas that address the weekly theme you are using with your students? Borrow a day care kit from KCPL.

• Teacher Collection—Do you need materials to supplement what is available in your classroom or school library? You can borrow a collection of 40 books that are selected for you with your subject area and students' needs in mind.

• Teacher's Resource booklist—Follow this link directly into the KCPL catalog to view materials that are available to help develop new lesson plans or supplement your current curriculum plans.

KCPL offers to all children an opportunity to participate in the summer reading program. It's the library's way of keeping kids reading during the summer and an effort to reduce the effects of the summer slide.

Children ages birth-12 years participate by reading for 600-800 minutes over the summer as well as completing fun literacy activities and attending library programs. As children reach certain levels during the program, they receive rewards and upon completion receive a t-shirt. Our goals are to:

• Promote the love of reading to children and families through engaging library programming and literacy experiences.
• Encourage children and families to read during the summer.
• Provide opportunities for children and families to attend programs relaying the joys of math and science through quality programming presented by a variety of artists and educators.
• Assist educators in continuing their efforts to keep children reading at grade level during the summer.
• Demonstrate that the library is a multi-faceted institution providing not only books, but also:
  • Electronic Research Database access
  • Audio books
  • Electronic books
  • Cultural, Recreational and Intellectual Programming
  • Programming for children ages birth-12 years that encourages a love for reading
• Create lifelong library users.

The program is open to summer camps, preschools and day cares that operate during the summer months. Contact your local library to find out about how you can enroll your children in this program.