Blog

Dodge ‘Summer Slide’ with Comics Plus.

Engaging with adventurous titles during the summer holidays is one way you can maintain the learning and work your children have accomplished during the school year. 

Research shows that having easy access to books and reading at least five during this more relaxed time, can slow the drop in reading levels, i.e. the dreaded “summer slide,” which is particularly significant for families facing financial hardships (Alexander, Entwisle, & Olson, 2007; Kim, 2004).

The Comics Plus collection available from your local library provides easy access to thousands of titles and is free of charge.

These titles will whisk readers into whole new worlds of adventure! They’ll travel to magical places, meet new characters, and experience the depths of their imaginations through countless adventures. Summer reading has never been so fun!

Simply take a look at the Featured section of the Comics Plus website to explore all the Summer Reading Adventures.

Nos Vacances en France

If you have plans to visit France this year, complete the Essentials course before you go to quickly master a set of commonly used words and phrases.

The course, from Transparent Language Online, covers topics such as eating out, basic banking, directions and transportation across 33 lessons, and it contains approximately 500 words and phrases. It can be completed in 20-25 hours.

Transparent Language Online is a free service available from your local library. So wherever you are planning to go for your holidays, you can learn the basics quickly and easily from the comfort of your own home.

Picture Books Now Available From Comics Plus

The Comics Plus platform, free from your local library, will now also include picture books. Offering emerging readers the same unlimited, simultaneous access comics and manga fans already enjoy, the initial collection features hundreds of titles from existing publisher partners, including ABDO and Cherry Lake, with more partners to be announced later this year.

“We couldn’t be more excited for the addition of picture books to Comics Plus,” says Raquel Ryan, MSEd, LibraryPass’ Chief Experience Officer. “With engaging stories and immersive 2-page spreads, these titles will help introduce young people to the world of reading!”

With Comics Plus, readers can access thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga through the library, with unlimited simultaneous access for online and offline reading, free of charge.

Looking For a New Challenge?

Spring is finally here and now we can shrug off those winter blues we are all looking for some exciting new adventures and challenges.

There is a great new service available from your local library which allows you to do courses in a huge range of topics, totally free of charge and at your own pace. Ask your local librarian about Universal Class to find out more.

Simple to use, you just select the training course you would like to study and off you go. The summary tells you how long each course will be and gives you an overview of the course and lessons. So if you fancy trying your hand at something new, like this course on Cake Decorating, take a look ….

In the heart of every cake lies a story waiting to be told, and the brush that paints this narrative is cake decorating. It’s the canvas where art meets culinary, and a blank cake is your opportunity to tell tales of love, celebrations, and milestones. Are you ready to embark on this delectable journey? Let’s dive into the magical realm of cake decorating, where every swirl of icing and sprinkle of glitter transports you into a world of wonder.

You can even submit ‘homework’ and a ‘live’ tutor will review your work and provide feedback and results to you.

So if you are looking to broaden your horizons this Spring, speak to your local librarian about Universal Class.

At a Loss for Easter

The easy way to find brilliant ideas for things to do this Easter is to head to your local library and look at the free PressReader service.

Not only are there hundreds of up to date magazines packed full of craft, cooking or hobby ideas, but you can also search for events happening near to you that have been mentioned in newspaper articles.

Like the Irish Mirror, who have recently done a whole feature of things to do in Ireland this Easter. Great if you live in the area, but equally great if you are planning a family holiday to Ireland this Easter break.

So if you want an endless supply of great ideas to do with your children this holiday, check out the PressReader service today.

Keep Abreast of the Latest Oscars Gossip

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After a frantic February of award ceremonies, now all eyes turn to The Oscars on March 10th

Whilst Oppenheimer may be the bookies favourite, with fickle Hollywood there are always a few surprises!

You can access all the up to date magazines discussing the best movies, who has been nominated and who are the favourites to win. Like Variety …

Use the free PressReader service at your local library to keep yourself totally up to date and in the know.

Crazy Kids at Half Term

It is that time of the year when your carefully structured routines go out of the window and half term begins. Keeping control of your over-excited family is certainly not for the faint-hearted.

The solution? Visit your local library and speak to them about Moshi Kids. Moshi helps kids regulate their minds & bodies through…

  • Breathing Exercises
  • Grounding Techniques
  • Body Scanning
  • Tapping
  • Guided Imagery

This wonderful e-service is free through your library and simple to use.

Nothing Sums Up Romance More Than a Trip to Paris

Do you want to knock the socks off your romantic partner? Nothing would beat a beautiful and romantic trip to the city of love, a trip to Paris. Organising a trip to foreign lands can be quite daunting though, especially if you don’t speak the same language.

Fear Not! Transparent Languages Online can help you learn everything you need to know.

This brilliant service is available free of charge from your local library. It empowers you to explore a new language at the library, at home, or on the go using any Internet-connected device. You have the flexibility you need to learn a new language anytime, anywhere.

So don’t let a little thing like language come between you and your romantic ideas this Valentines Day.

Get in the mood with romantic comics

Check out all the great romances on offer from ComicsPlus this Valentines Day. With new publications to suit a wide range of ages and tastes, there is something for everyone.

Like the classic Jane Austen – Emma;

Easy to use, you simply search by any of the following options: title, topic, age rating, publisher, category, author or genre. This great range is available free of charge from your local library, so visit today.

Ukrainian Storytime

Take a look at the latest stories available from Lote4Kids – the free service from your local library. You can pick the language you want to read the story in, not only making you feel right at home, but also helping you to learn a new language.

The Golden Fish

A charming tale of a poor fisherman who shows kindness to a magical fish and gets to make a wish.

Unfortunately for the kind fisherman, his wife is unhappy and greedy. Will she find happiness?

Plus there are lots of additional activities for you to enjoy, like puzzles, word searches, spot the difference and colouring pages.

Pop in to your local library today to find out more.