#StayHome Library Resources

Need a library card? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions Page for instructions and registration forms.

Our collection of library resources for homebound patrons includes:

• Essex Library Resources
• Resources for Children
• Ebooks, Audiobooks, & Movies
• Educational Resources
• Library & Museum Collections Online
• Articles – More Ideas for Finding Resources Online

Essex Library Resources

Youth Services

Looking for things to do with your children? Check out our Children’s Featured Events Page for online programming. If a program you are interested in is not offered online, feel free to call at (860) 767-1560 or e-mail staff.essexlib@gmail.com to find out if a Zoom option is available.

Online Materials

Overdrive – It’s easier to see what titles are available and searches are a snap with the new look. Plus, the new generation of OverDrive enables users to read eBooks instantly with no downloads through the new OverDrive Read.

Parent Resources from the Essex Library

Homework Helper  from the Essex Library

Resources for Children

• Disney Books – Free Online Resources for Teachers and Librarians
• Every Child a Reader – Coloring Pages
• The Everywhere Book Fest 
• The Ideal Exhibition with Hervé Tullet
• Kidlit TV
• Scholastic Learn at Home
• StarNet – Sky Heroes: Activity Reinventing the Constellations 
• Stimola Live 

Ebooks, Audiobooks, & Movies

• 1,150 Free Movies Online: Great Classics, Indies, Noir, Westerns, etc. – Open Culture
• Free: Movies & TV – Vudu.com
• Google Books
• Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Books, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine
• Manybooks: 50,000+ Free eBooks in the Genres you Love
• The Online Books Page
• Welcome to Open Library
• Project Gutenberg
• researchIT CT – Free Online Resources from the CT State Library

Educational Resources

• Open Education Resources – Edutopia.com, an initiative of the George Lucas Educational Foundation
• OER Commons – Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching and learning materials that you may freely use and reuse at no cost, and without needing to ask permission.
• The Smithsonian Institution  – Free Online Courses by the Smithsonian Institute
• TED-Ed: Lessons Worth Sharing – TED-Ed is TED’s youth and education initiative.

Library and Museum Collections Online

• Boston Public Library Online Resources
• Chicago Public Library Online Resources
• Library of Congress Digital Collections
• National Archives
• New York Public Library Digital Collections

Articles – More Ideas for Finding Resources Online

• 10 Great Free Websites for Elementary School – Commonsensemedia.org
• 11 places for thrifty bookworms to download free e-books – Mashable
• 15 Of The Best Places To Find Free Books Online – Book Riot
• 100 Fresh Movies You Can Watch for Free Online Right Now – From Rotten Tomatoes
• How to get free digital magazines from your library – Cnet.com
• Kim Komando’s tips to watch movies from streaming services for free. – USA Today