While libraries are closed, you can still use digital resources available at your library.
Whether you’re working on a school assignment, doing research, or simply want to gain a new skill, your library has easy-to-use resources available. Just sign in from your desktop, laptop or mobile device.
Temporary eCards
At some public libraries in Georgia, you can apply for a temporary digital library card that allows you to use online materials. Contact your local library to see what options are available.
Libraries offering temporary eCards
Resources at your local library
There are many free digital and online library resources that are available through Georgia Public Library Service; explore the list below and be sure to contact your library for additional, local resources such as music streaming and ebook access and virtual programming like live storytimes on Facebook.
For Students
►While your kids are out of school, you can keep them reading with eRead Kids, our digital collection of 15,000+ ebooks and audiobooks for kids.
►Georgia Historic Newspapers gives you free access to over 1.5 million newspaper pages – perfect for your next homeschool social studies, journalism, or vocabulary lesson.
►Check out the grade-level, GSE-aligned primary source sets available from the Digital Library of Georgia.
►Explore unique local history resources from the comfort of your home. Visit Georgia HomePLACE for a complete list of digitized, historical public library resources.
►Did you know that Georgia has Sanborn maps available online dating back to 1881? Look up nearby streets, buildings, or landmarks and see how they’ve changed!
►Georgia students and educators can access an online library of free educational resources from GPB Education, PBS LearningMedia, and Discovery Education, including videos, activities, and associated lesson plans for teachers, that align with Georgia standards
►Entertain and educate your kids through the Georgia Aquarium’s live aquatic webcams.
►The Georgia Farm Bureau is hosting virtual activities on their Facebook page.
►Our friends at the Michael C. Carlos Museum have Digital Projects for all to enjoy, especially check out Greece Odyssey Online.
►Visit the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame List of Inductees to find out who from your hometown is a Georgia sports hero.
►Zoo Atlanta has an educational guide for the animals they’re protecting.
For All Ages
► The self-paced Entrepreneurial Mindset Training will help you learn how to identify, evaluate and transform your business ideas into a sustainable success.
► GALILEO is Georgia’s virtual library. You can use it to access articles, eBooks, historical documents and photos, and much more. Go to https://galileo.usg.edu and enter your public library system password or PINES card number.
Here are some resources available through GALILEO:
► Mango Languages, with over 72 foreign language courses.
► Learning Express features college prep tests, math and reading skills improvement tests for grade 4 through college, GED prep in English and Spanish, U.S. Citizenship Exam prep in English or Spanish, access to Gale Legal Forms, and much more.
► Ancestry Library Edition is freely available within GALILEO through April 30!
► You can also research your family tree using Heritage Quest.
eRead Kids
- Now is the perfect time to get started with eRead Kids! Your library card gives you free access to 15,000 electronic and audio books for children from pre-k through fourth grade. You just need your library card number and PIN
Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative (ELI) Toolkit
All public libraries in Georgia offer FREE access to Entrepreneurial Mindset Training, an online, self-paced course focused on the attitudes and thinking that lead to entrepreneurial success. Discover your business potential with online, self-paced entrepreneurial mindset training. Learn how to identify, evaluate and transform your business ideas into a sustainable success with entrepreneurial mindset training.
GLASS (Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services)
► While GLASS Atlanta is closed, patrons can still access digital braille and audio books through BARD and BARD Mobile
► GLASS staff will be answering our phones to assist customers with GLASS resources including digital talking books, BARD, BARD Mobile, Bookshare and more!
► Visit the GLASS website or call 800-248-6701
HomePLACE
Georgia HomePLACE, in partnership with the Digital Library of Georgia, provides access to thousands of historical digital resources.
Here are some ideas for using these resources:
► Are you a social studies educator charged with distance learning? Check out the grade-level primary source sets available from the Digital Library of Georgia. They’re GSE-aligned and best of all: they’re free!
► Looking for homeschooling resources? Georgia Historic Newspapers gives you free access to over 1.5 million newspaper pages–perfect for your next social studies, journalism, or vocabulary lesson!
► Need activities for your curious kids? Use the Georgia Historic Newspapers portal to see what was going on in your region 100 years ago. Write down five interesting facts you learned!
► What events were making news in Georgia on the day you were born? Use the advanced search feature in the Georgia Historic Newspapers portal to look up your DOB. Can’t find the exact date? Expand your search nationally using Chronicling America.
► Every year, Georgia’s public libraries support the addition of tens of thousands of digitized newspaper pages to the Georgia Historic Newspapers portal. Just one more way public libraries support history in the making.
► Did you know that Georgia has Sanborn maps available online dating back to 1881? Look up nearby streets, buildings, or landmarks and see how they’ve changed! Use the key do identify color-coded building materials, railroad tracks, and more.
► The Digital Library of Georgia has a whole section of Free to Use images: use your computer to gif-ify an old photo, brush up on your image editing skills, or design a short video for your friends!
Local and Statewide Attractions
Through partnerships with organizations across the state, Georgia’s public libraries provide families with educational and recreational opportunities to spend time together while saving money.
While buildings are closed in response to COVID-19, many organizations are providing free programs digitally.
- Our partner Center for Puppetry Arts is hosting FREE Digital Learning experiences including workshops, puppet shows and museum tours!
- Get some outdoor time with your family while learning to fish: Our partner the Go Fish Education Center is open for their regular hours Friday through Sunday. Families can also check out Into the Outdoors, a free streaming video education platform on conservation of wildlife, ecosystems, agriculture, and environment.
- Entertain and educate your kids through the Georgia Aquarium’s live aquatic webcams.
- The Georgia Farm Bureau is hosting virtual activities on their Facebook page at
- Teach your kids about agriculture in Georgia through the Georgia Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom.
- The Museum of History and Holocaust Education at Kennesaw State University has educational online components to their exhibits like Georgia Journeys: Legacies of World War II.
- Our friends at the Michael C. Carlos Museum have Digital Projects for all to enjoy, especially check out Greece Odyssey Online.
- Visit the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame List of Inductees to find out who from your hometown is a Georgia sports hero.
- Zoo Atlanta has a wonderful educational guide for the animals they’re protecting at
