Ventura County Library is excited to announce the launch of Brainfuse – on demand, anytime, anywhere eLearning for all ages and levels. Brainfuse HelpNow offers a personalized homework help in core subjects (math, reading, writing, science and social studies). Brainfuse will be made available to all library patrons from the public computers at their local library or from any computer with internet connection starting immediately seven days a week from 1pm to 10pm.
HelpNow is designed to be particularly helpful to school-aged students, with tools such as flashcards, learning games, customized study plans, writing help, and the opportunity for students to meet up with their friends in a virtual study room.
HelpNow also includes a variety of college preparatory materials and lifelong learning resources such as a Spanish language study center and ESL assistance, as well as test preparation tools for the ACT/SAT, GED and the USCIS citizenship test.
Brainfuse is just one of a number of remote educational tools that the Library has made available, enhanced, or continues to make available during its temporary closure to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. In addition to Brainfuse, the Library offers BookFlix (for remotely-accessible read alouds), CloudLibrary eBooks and eAudiobooks, and much more at www.vencolibrary.org/elibrary.
Ventura County Library:
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The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.
Ventura County Library system is preparing to implement curbside services.
State guidelines for retail curbside pick-up were modified last week to allow libraries to provide curbside pick-up of materials, and libraries across the county have begun to reopen these limited services. The largest library system in the county, the Ventura County Library, operates twelve libraries and is actively preparing to safely implement curbside services at most branches.
Public libraries across Ventura County have been closed since mid-March when the State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health issued an order requiring most Californians to stay at home to disrupt the spread of COVID-19 among the population. The state announced these efforts have allowed them to move forward on their roadmap for modifying the statewide order, including allowing public libraries to reopen for curbside pick-up of materials. Public libraries had previously not been allowed to operate under the orders.
Ventura County Library Director Nancy Schram says, “Safely reestablishing access to physical library materials is a significant step toward restoring in-person library services.”
Schram says library employees have been performing exceptional work and providing services and programs in the virtual environment during the closure. However, feedback received from the community during the closure of the physical library branches has emphasized the critical role libraries play in providing access to print materials and Internet access in particular. The library is currently working with the Ventura County Library Foundation to raise funds to purchase Wi-Fi hotspots and Chromebooks to loan out to community members as part of their lending library.
Check the library’s website at www.vencolibrary.org for the latest information and services that are available.
