eKids Online & Assignment Essentials

Whether it’s for school or for play we’ve got something to help and to also keep everyone amused.

If you’re accessing some these resources outside a library, have your library card number and PIN handy.

Assignment Essentials

Everything you’ll need to help you complete your assignments, or just to learn for fun.

Need Research Assistance?

Ask a librarian – if you need help with research for your assignment, simply fill out the form and a librarian will get back to you as soon as possible.

State Library of Queensland ‘Ask Us’ – The State Library of Queensland can also help answer your questions and offer research guidance.

Get informed and complete your assignment research with free access to authoritative databases and online encyclopaedias.

	Britannica Library Britannica Library is an online encyclopaedia with information for all ages on a wide variety of topics! It is updated regularly to include current events. A reliable source of information for research or general interest reading.
	Gale Interactive: Science Gale Interactive is a highly visual product that provides a comprehensive view of the most-studied science topics of biology, chemistry and earth and space science. Users can explore 3D models by zooming in, rotating, or pulling them apart. Clicking through each session displays relevant reference content related to each 3D model. Selected 3D models can also be printed out.
	Learning at Home Resources Education Queensland has put together a range of resources and links based on the curriculum.
	National Geographic Virtual Library National Geographic Virtual Library provides online access to every issue of the National Geographic magazine, National Geographic Kids magazine, books, and videos. The magazine archive dates from 1888 to the present, providing lots of articles to read. Use your library card number to login.
	PressReader PressReader provides online access to a large variety of newspapers and magazines published worldwide. To access PressReader you will need an online membership with State Library of Queensland, click here for more information.
	State Library of Queensland Databases State Library of Queensland offer a range of databases from home. Free membership is required.

Books, Comics, Movies & More

Our eLibrary for kids has lots of books, audiobooks, comics and videos all in one kid-friendly place.

	Borrow Box Borrow Box has a great range of eBooks and eAudiobooks for all ages. This collection includes many Australian authors and plenty of books for children. A free app is available to download and you don’t need to register for an account! Login with your library membership card number.
	hoopla Hoopla is a groundbreaking digital media service offered by your local public library that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV! Titles can be streamed immediately, or downloaded to phones or tablets for offline enjoyment later.” ~ hoopladigital.com.au. To sign-up to hoopla: Enter your email address (it doesn’t have to be the library one) Create a password (it doesn’t have to be your library one) Select Gladstone Regional Libraries Enter your library card number Enter your library password Go to hoopladigital.com.au to get started today! Or try the Steps to hoopla guide for more information. There is a limit of 20 loans/downloads per month.
	Libby (by Overdrive) Libby has replaced RBdigital to provide an exciting range of eBooks, eAudiobooks, eComics, and eMagazines. A free app is available for access to all of their resources or use Libby in your favourite website browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, etc.) To access Libby with you will need your library card number and password (if you had an RB Digital account you should be able to login without re-registering). Have some questions about Libby? The Libby Help page may have the answer for you.
	National Geographic Virtual Library National Geographic Virtual Library provides online access to every issue of the National Geographic magazine, National Geographic Kids magazine, books, and videos. The magazine archive dates from 1888 to the present, providing lots of articles to read. Login with your library membership card number.
	PK Mag for Creative Kids Showcasing creative work from children in years 3 – 6, PK Mag for Creative Kids is an Australian digital only magazine for primary kids. Creative work includes stories, book reviews, poetry, video, music and art created by and for kids. Check out the last page for how to contribute to the next issue.
	Spine Out Do you know a young person who loves reading and writing? Spine Out is a free bi-monthly magazine for 12-18 year olds, available through the eLibrary service. The magazine includes author interviews, book trailers and competitions. Budding creatives can submit reviews, stories, lyrics, artwork, videos and poetry.
	Story Box Library Story Box Library is for children under school age and those in primary school! Watch online videos of storytellers reading popular picture books. Enjoy a storytime online any time. Login with your library membership card number.
	Ziptales Ziptales is an online literacy library designed to help preschool and primary school children develop a love of reading using animated stories and games. Ziptales includes reading plans and curriculum resources. There are stories to read, listen to, or read along with, as well as tests to determine graded reader levels and Skill Builders for writing. Login with your library membership card number.

Free Assignment Printing

All library branches provide free black & white photocopying and printing for school assignments and homework. The school student must be present and have a copy of their homework/assignment sheet.

Homework Help can include free printing or photocopying, and/or quick help and advice by volunteers or library staff; however, it does not provide a tutoring style service.

The branches below also provide the following assistance for school assignments and homework:

Agnes Water Library – assistance after school depending upon staff knowledge and availability.

Boyne Island Library – assistance after school depending upon staff knowledge and availability.

Calliope Library – assistance after school depending upon staff knowledge and availability.

Gladstone City Library – assistance after school depending upon staff knowledge and availability.

Online Craft Ideas

We’ve created a massive range of online crafts for all ages.

Each School Holiday a craft pack is created for you to take home when you borrow from your local library.

For previous crafts visit our CraftTime Online page.

Reviews & Recommendations

Looking for recommendations for what to read next? Browse our comprehensive list below or check out our latest featured item.

Best Children’s Book of all Time – The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

According to Readers Digest, this classic tale of the little caterpillar that eats their way through the week is the most popular children’s book of all time. The story, for those that haven’t read it, has a little of everything. It’s got counting, the days of the week, the lifecycle of a butterfly, all illustrated with vibrant pictures painted with tissue paper and paint.

To check out the other 99 books that make the list head on over to https://www.rd.com/list/the-best-childrens-books-ever-written/

Selected Sites for Children’s Literature & Reading.

Children’s Book Council of Australia – provides provides lists of short-listed and award winning books and information about Book Week.

Premier’s Reading Challenge – the site includes Book Lists for a variety of language and ages.

Scholastic Kids Club – includes author information, book reviews, games and activities.

Storyline Online – has videos of actors reading picture books.

Online Storytime & Other Virtual Programs

Can’t wait or the next Storytime session?

Gladstone Regional Libraries have signed up to be a part of the Online Storytime program. This program was created working with the Australian Library and Information Association, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic halting in-person library programming.

So now, no matter where you are you can attend one of our sessions virtually and still get your library fix whenever and wherever you like.