Resources

TexShare Database
Search a wide assortment of databases in one spot. Databases are categorized by subject, with Spanish content available on select databases. Links to additional resources are available. Access from home requires a Sgt. Fernando de la Rosa Memorial Library card.

Learning Express Library
The Learning Center offers resources to help you achieve the results you want in education, life, or your job. Practice tests, exercises, and eBooks on business writing, the U.S. citizenship test, elementary math and reading skills, and college entrance exams are available. You must create an account to access the resources.

GCFGlobal
Learn essential skills needed to live and work in the 21^st century- self-paced online courses.

 Cursos gratis en línea en GCFGlobal

Aprende las habilidades básicas que necesitas para vivir y trabajar en el siglo XXI, cursos gratuitos en línea.

• Citation Machine
  This site helps you properly cite research material using MLA, APA, Chicago, or Turabian citation style.
• S. Small Business Administration
  Learn what it takes to start your own small business. Find out about loans, how to register your business, training, and information on properly managing a business.
• S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
  Here are the forms you need to apply for a Green Card, Citizenship, employment, or renewal. The site also provides information on what to do before applying.
• Fedstats
  Find statistics and information from over 100 U.S. government agencies. Search geographically, by subject, or agency name.
• Texas Workforce Commission
  You can search for jobs, learn about unemployment, or find out about training and education. The website is also available in Spanish.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Here, you can find information on health issues, statistics, how to prevent conditions, tips for traveling, emergency preparedness, and so much more.
• Cost of Living Calculator
  Compare the cost of living for up to 4 U.S. cities and the national average with this comprehensive calculator.
• College For All Texans
  Learn the facts about applying for college. This site provides information on exams, financial aid, and colleges. A guide on how to start planning for college early is available.
• S. Patent and Trade Office
  Provides information on patents and trademarks. Information on how to apply and forms are available for download.
• Texas Law Help
  This is a guide to civil legal information in Texas. The information is categorized by topic. It also provides a directory for Legal Aid and Legal Assistance.
• Handbook of Texas Online
  Online multidisciplinary encyclopedia for Texas.
• Accelerated Reader
  Find out the reading level, interest level, and point value of the books your children are reading. Search by title, author, ISBN, or quiz number. Book summaries and recommended reading lists are also available.

Art and Literature

ArtsEdge– The Kennedy Center instituted ArtsEdge in 1996 to embrace its responsibility as the nation’s premiere cultural resource since 1971. This website acts as its educational media arm, reaching out to schools, communities, individuals and families with printed materials, classroom support and Internet technologies.

Goodreads– Goodreads has book reviews on all sorts of books.  Users can browse books by genre or search for specific books.  There is also the ability to see what users enjoy, a list of the “Goodreads Choice Awards,” and a searchable list of quotes (both taken from books as well as by just straight from a person).

Sync– During the summer, Sync allows users thirteen-and-up to download two free audiobooks a week over a period of thirteen weeks.  Books can only be downloaded during the week they’re available, and teens can keep the audiobooks once they are done with them.

Teen Ink– Teen Ink is a magazine, book series, and website where most of the content is created by teenagers from around the world; there are no staff writers or artists.  Both fiction (such as action and adventure, historical fiction) and nonfiction (including sports, travel and culture) are viewable on the website, as is poetry and art.  There is also a summer guide which lists summer programs and camps, and a college guide which has not only information on colleges, but a collection of college essays teens can view.

College and Career

BigFuture– A free comprehensive web resource that improves the college planning process. Explore your own interests and make decisions about college utilizing easy-to-use and intelligent search tools. There are also videos that will help you find, afford and enroll in a college that’s a good fit for you.

Federal Student Aid– The Official U.S. Department of Education website, this contains information of the FAFSA, grants, scholarships, student loans, and work study.  It also has information about choosing a school, budgeting, and contains for resources for parents as well.

Young Workers– The OSHA website for young workers.  This site includes the rights of young workers as well as the responsibilities of employers.  Information is also posted on hazards that might be found in a variety of different occupations (including grocery stores and food services), real stories of young workers who were injured on the job, resources for young workers, and OSHA contact information to report unsafe conditions.

General Education

STC Research Guide– South Texas College Library’s guide to research and report-writing. There are also special guides which include Copyright & Fair Use, Government Websites, News & Current Events, and Writing & Citing Sources.

Study Guides and Strategies– The Study Guides Web site is an independent, learner-centric educational public service that has been helping learners succeed since 1996. We have enjoyed collaborative projects across institutional, cultural and national boundaries.

UTRGV Research Guide– The University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley Research Guide includes a variety of subjects such as English, Math, Chemistry, History, etc. There are also library links such as the Library Catalog, Copyright Support, and Special Collections and Archives.

Watch Know Learn– Connects students and teachers to thousands of educational videos, with subjects ranging from math and science to arts and history. WatchKnowLearn has a dedicated team of teachers and educational professionals who provide oversight of the videos recommended by our diverse user population.

Health and Wellness

Crisis Text Line– Crisis Text Line is a free, 24/7 crisis support service where those needing help can text and reach a trained counselor.  The website contains information about reaching a crisis counselor, how to volunteer or join the staff, and additional resources.

NSTeens.org– Created through a partnership between Sprint® and the Internet safety experts at NetSmartz® Workshop, a program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children®. Through animated videos, short films, games, and interactive comics, NSTeens teaches tweens and teens about making safer choices online.

Teen Line– Teen Line is a confidential hotline for teens staffed by teens who have received specialized training; the teen staff will understand and listen, but not judge.  Talking and texting are both options.  The website itself has online resources, a blog, and a message board that teens can access.

Teens Health– From Nemours, a nonprofit children’s health system, aims to give you the tools and confidence to make the best health choices. It includes doctor-reviewed advice on hundreds of physical, emotional, and behavioral topics as well as easy-to-follow articles, slideshows, videos, and health tools.

History, Geography, and Biography

Biography.com– Biography.com captures the most gripping, surprising and fascinating stories about famous people. With over 8,000 biographies and daily features that highlight newsworthy, compelling and surprising points-of-view, we are the digital source for true stories about people that matter.

CIA World Fact Book Online– Provides information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 267 world entities. Our Reference tab includes a variety of maps, Flags of the World, and a Standard Time Zones of the World map.

Stuff You Missed in History Class– This website is associated with a podcast of the same name, covering a variety of history topics.  Podcast and associated materials can be browsed by topic (15^th Century History, Native American History) or users can search the website, and the hosts take suggestions on topics that they will cover in future episodes.

Math and Science

CK-12– Contains information on STEM topics (though there is some information on writing, spelling, and history), user can browse by subject (algebra, biology, physics), or search for specific topics.  Users can create an account, or log in with Google or Facebook, but it isn’t required.

Movies and Video Games

Common Sense Media– This website has information on different books, movies, and video games.  There are ratings posted by kids and parents, and there’s a guide to movie content (contains positive role models, language, violence, etc.).  Most reviews are text, though there are some video reviews.

Art

Metkids – A child-friendly online resource. Children can explore, the Metropolitan Museum of Art online, watch behind-the-scenes videos, travel through more than 5,000 years of art, discover fun facts about works of art, and much, much more.

Smithsonian for Kids – Children can explore and learn a range of interesting things while having fun exploring the Smithsonian for kids.

Games

Highlights Kids– Children learn while playing fun and interactive games.  Highlights Kids is a useful, engaging and educational resource for children of all ages.

Funbrain– Educational games for grades Pre-K through 8. Funbrain offers hundreds of games, books, comics, and videos that develop skills in math, reading, problem-solving and literacy.

Math

MathGameTime – An engaging, educational and trustworthy resource for children to learn math in a fun and exciting way. It provides free math games, worksheets and videos.

Kids Math Games– A fun way for children to learn about addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and more while having fun. Kids Math Games provides numerous of literacy games, puzzles and other fun stuff for children to learn from.

Science

Science Buddies – Helps students find free project ideas in all areas of science from physics to food science and music to microbiology.

ClimateKids– Targets upper-elementary-aged children, the site provides games, activities, and articles that make climate science accessible and engaging. Children can explore the differences between weather and climate, learn about how to keep our oceans healthy and much more.

Accelerated Reader– Find out the reading level, interest level, and point value of the books your children are reading. Search by title, author, ISBN, or quiz number. Book summaries and recommended reading lists are also available.