By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
With school back in session, remember that Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library has a multitude of resources to make this your best school year ever. One of the most powerful resources we offer is called Brainfuse. This online learning platform says its mission is to connect learners of all ages with experts who love to teach.
Brainfuse has several components. HelpNow provides 24/7 on-demand tutoring across all K-12 subjects. Not only does HelpNow provide unscheduled, instant tutoring and homework help, it features an innovative writing lab, high-stakes assessment, and test preparation, ELL/ESL support, and foreign language assistance. The Brainfuse tutors are all four-year college graduates who have teaching or tutoring experience.
To access these resources, go to the library website https://www.guthriecenter.lib.ia.us. Click on the HelpNow link under Brainfuse. Once there, you can access live tutoring, the writing lab, the skill surfer, the language lab or send questions. The live tutors interact in real time to assist students in figuring out answers without actually giving them the answers.
The writing lab, one of the most used in the U.S., will help students in all stages of writing from brainstorming to revising. Students can even submit finished papers and get feedback from writing tutors within 24 hours. Skill Surfer provides a large library of videos, lessons and tests to help students develop skills in various subjects. Language lab can tutor students in French and Spanish. The send question option allows learners to send a question to a tutor and get an answer back within 24 hours.
Other features that can be accessed are Summer Camp which helps students sharpen skills during breaks from school; LEAP Learning Platform, which is a diagnostic center providing study plans and live tutors; Flash Bulb, which allows students to create study aids like flashcards, games and tests; and eParachute, which allows learners to discover college majors and careers that match their skills and interests.
Brainfuse is a powerful learning tool that is available to all patrons through our website. In addition to student resources, this platform also has several features for adults as well. Adults who are looking for a job can use Brainfuse’s JobNow link. Using Job Resources, begin your job search. JobNow also offers a self-assessment to help find your dream job. The Resume Template and OptimalResume can be used to create a polished resume. After completing a resume, use the Resume Lab or Live Resume Coaching to receive personalized resume assistance from experts. When you land an interview, you can prepare by working with a Live Interview Coach on JobNow.
VetNow is a support tool for Veterans. This allows veterans and their families to connect with expert veterans to learn more about VA benefits and community resources that you and your family are eligible for.
Besides HelpNow, JobNow, and VetNow, LearnNow is an educational link aimed at adult learners. Live tutors and a writing lab are available to help with career-enhancing academic skills. Brainfuse offers practice tests and test prep for many standardized tests such as SAT, ACT, US Citizenship, and ASVAB to name a few.
Not just for kids, Brainfuse resources can help learners of all ages. The cost is free to library patrons, so take advantage of this online resource for tutoring, writing, job hunting and VA benefit assistance.
Library Telescope Observing Week
On Tuesday, Sept. 10, the MJB Library will be hosting a night viewing from 7:30-9 p.m. If the weather cooperates, we should be able to see the craters on the moon, the Galilean Moons of Jupiter, Saturn’s rings and much more. In the event of cloudy weather, Saturday, Sept. 14 will be the alternate date.
Iowa Author Talk
On Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m., Iowa author Linda McCann will be discussing her book entitled “Rosie the Riveters of Iowa” which shares the stories of more than 20 Iowa women who were Rosie the Riveters during World War II. Autographed copies of her book will also be available for purchase following the program.
Between the Covers
Between the Covers Book Club will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. to discuss Ann Patchett’s best-selling novel “Tom Lake.” This book explores youthful love, married love and the lives parents led before their children were born. Stop by MJB and check out a copy so you’re ready for book club.
Cookbook Club
Cookbook Club will be taking a hiatus in September. Check in October for an exciting cookbook to sample.
Friends of the Library
Guthrie Center Friends of the Library will not be meeting in September, so their next meeting will be on Monday, Oct. 7 at 6:15 p.m. Everyone who would like to support the library is welcome to join.
Donald Todd, Jr. Presentation
Donald Todd, Jr. will share an encore presentation of his program entitled “A Tale of Two Soldiers” on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. Todd will tell the story of his father’s experience as a doctor and a soldier and how he and Dr. Herbert Neff started a medical practice that was an institution in Guthrie Center for many decades.
Library Closure
The MJB Library will not have Storytime on Friday, Aug. 30. The library will, however, be open Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The library will be closed on Saturday, Aug. 31 for the fair and on Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of Labor Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Festival of Trees
Christmas will be here before you know it, and the MJB Library will host the Festival of Trees again. This year’s theme will be “Christmas Stories.” We encourage groups and individuals to sign up to decorate a tree for our festival using favorite Christmas books, family stories or the Christmas Bible story as the theme for their tree. Sign up on the library website or email or call the library by Nov. 20.
Please take note of the following information:
This year, we request that the trees be brought in and decorated starting Friday, Nov. 22 to Nov. 27, during library open hours. If you cannot come during this time, please call to schedule an appointment with the library staff. We kindly request that trees be picked up within the first week of January. You can complete the registration process on our website.