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Shelf Life
by Jen Pace Dickenson

To support community health, Polk County Public Libraries buildings are closed to the public until further notice. But that doesn’t mean you have to go without books or even library programs! We are doing our best to provide our patrons with the same services we always offer. Don’t have a library card? Polk County residents can get one over the phone to access our free digital resources.
NC Digital Library and NC Kids Digital Library
Download the free Libby app to access thousands of eBooks and audiobooks with your library card number and PIN. The checkout limit has increased to six titles while the library is closed. Expired and blocked cards can also check out eBooks at this time. Don’t have the internet at home? Come download materials from your car in our parking lots, where Wi-Fi is available 24/7.
Mango Languages
Learn a new language from the comfort of your home! Mango Languages is free with your PCPL card and offers over 70 world language courses and 17 ESL/ELL courses, featuring voice comparison, engaging design, foreign language films, cultural anecdotes and a user-friendly mobile app. There are even a few silly ones like Pirate and Shakespearean English!
Lynda.com
Lynda.com, a LinkedIn Company, is a leading online learning company that helps anyone learn business, technology, and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. Access the Lynda.com video library of engaging, top-quality courses taught by recognized industry experts – more than 5,700 courses and 255,000 video tutorials.
Virtual Programs
Visit our website, Facebook page or YouTube channel to watch our virtual programs on video! There are story times, craft demos, and book talks for all ages to enjoy. This Friday, April 17, we will host trivia on Facebook Live at 5:00 p.m. There will be six rounds of five questions each with the theme of colors. We will read each question over the Facebook Live video and type it into the chat box as well. After each round you will text in your answers. Please practice social distancing and only play at home with your family. (Of course, you can join up on teams by texting/calling each other if you like.)
Challenges
Participate in our challenges and be entered to win gift cards to local businesses! Why not read while stuck at home? Download the Quarantine Reading Challenge from our website and bring your card to the library after we reopen. You can also submit a book review that we can share with our patrons to jdickenson@polklibrary.org. Please include the book title and author and a short explanation of why you enjoyed it. For an extra entry, include a photo or video of yourself that we can share on social media. Check our Facebook page for new challenges each week!

Jen Pace Dickenson is the youth services librarian for Polk County Public Libraries. For information about the library’s resources, programs, and other services, visit polklibrary.org or call 828-894-8721.