Education & Online Learning

Explore these online resources for free with your DBRL library card.

Adult Education Guide

Local Resources

  • Adult Learning Center–Boone County
    (573) 214-3803
    Adult Learning Center provides adult education and literary services, including English Language Learning (ELL) instruction, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) prep courses, civics/citizenship, money management and workforce skills training.
  • Center for English Language Learning
    The University of Missouri offers high quality English language instruction to non-native speakers of English through the Center for English Language Learning (CELL).
  • Conversation Partner Program
    The Conversation Partner Program is part of the Asian Affairs Center at MU. It pairs Americans with visiting government officials, scholars and undergraduate students from Asia.
  • DBRL’s Educational Resources Guide
    A catalog of learning tools from your library, including virtual programs, physical and digital collections, databases and free digital courses.
  • Excel Adult High School 
    Online high school program hosted by DBRL for adult students looking to earn a high school diploma.
  • Goodwill Excel Center
    A local tuition free, in-person high school program aimed at adult students looking to obtain a high school diploma.
  • Language Partners
    Language Partners is a program offered by the Women’s Center at MU. The purpose is to assist a non-native English speaker with conversational English, awareness of North American culture and knowledge of living in Columbia.
  • Moberly Area Community College (MACC)  Adult Education & Literacy
    660-263-5865
    MACC’s Adult Education and Literacy program is free to students. It offers individualized learning assistance for a variety of interests, including preparation for the HiSET.

Electronic Resources Available through DBRL

  • Brainfuse Adult Learning Center
    Provides live, online tutoring and skill-building sessions for adult learners in a variety of subjects, including writing and test prep.
  • LearningExpress Library
    LearningExpress provides test preparation materials for elementary through adult level. Tests include the ACT, ASVAB, Civil Service, Cosmetology, EMS, Firefighter, GED, GMAT, GRE, HiSET, Law Enforcement, Paramedic, PPST, Real Estate, SAT, TOEFL, United States Citizenship and more.
  • LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)
    LinkedIn Learning offers video tutorials on technology skills, creative techniques, business strategies and other subject areas. Classes are taught by top experts and are set up so you can learn at your own pace.
  • Mango Languages
    Mango Languages is an intuitive, easy to start language learning platform, with 500+ language learning resources for 70+ languages and 20+ ESL courses.  (Must create a username and password to access learning tools.)
  • Universal Class
    Universal Class offers over 500 online continuing education courses taught by real instructors with remote, 24/7 access so you can study on your schedule. (Must create a username and password to access.)

Other Online Courses and Tutorials

  • HiSET Preparation from ETS
    Free test preparation materials and practice tests for the HiSET. In 2014 the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) began using the HiSET test as its high school equivalency test, replacing the GED.
  • MOLearns – High School Equivalency (HSE) Testing
    314-415-4935
    In 2014, the HiSET test replaced the GED. MOLearns offers free HiSET preparation to Missouri residents. Participants need to be 17 years of age or older, have access to a computer with the Internet, have an email account, and be able to get to an onsite class to take placement tests.
  • ProLiteracy Education Network
    This nonprofit organization provides free resources for people of all ages to build their math, reading, writing and English skills. HiSET/GED and US citizenship test preparation is available as well.

Other Programs in Missouri

  • Missouri Adult Education and Literacy Program
    573-751-1249
    The Adult Education and Literacy Program has sites located throughout Missouri. Courses taught vary by site, but most provide HiSET preparation courses, English as a Second Language courses, as well as math, reading and writing instruction.
  • Adult Education and Literacy–Ozarks Technical Community College
    417-447-8860
    This program provides specialized instruction to help students build or refresh basic academic skills necessary for success. It is offered free of charge on OTC’s Springfield, Richwood Valley, Table Rock, Lebanon campuses and coming soon to Republic. Waynesville classes are through the Waynesville School District and online classes are through MOLearns.org.

Personal Enrichment

  • Columbia Area Career Center
    Browse and register for a variety of programs for personal enrichment ranging from fitness and hobbies to crafts and food.
  • University of Missouri Extension
    Offers several noncredit programs including Master Naturalist, Master Pollinator Steward, Master Gardener and Missouri Woodland Steward programs. Registration fees vary depending on the program.
  • Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
    The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Missouri offers a variety of classes for adults 50 years of age or older. Please check the brochure and enrollment form available through the link above for current fees.

Bluebird Languages

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Offers lessons in over 160 languages with a large selection of native language settings so you can learn in your native tongue. Also available via app on Apple and Android devices after creating a personal account in a web browser.

Brainfuse Adult Learning Center

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Provides live, online tutoring and skill-building sessions for adult learners in a variety of subjects, including writing and test prep.

Brainfuse HelpNow

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Provides live, online tutoring for elementary through college students in a variety of subjects, including writing and test prep.

Digital Literacy

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Follow along with interactive activities using digital tools to create podcasts, multimedia presentations, social media campaigns and more; explore articles on digital citizenship and research skills; and learn the skills to navigate today’s virtual landscape.

ERIC

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. The Education Resource Information Center provides bibliographic records of education-related journal articles and materials from other sources such as scholarly organizations, professional associations, research centers, and state and federal agencies.

Homeschooling Guide

Library Resources

  • Brainfuse HelpNow
    Provides live, online tutoring for elementary through college students in a variety of subjects, including writing and test prep.
  • DBRL Early Childhood Connections
    A Facebook group dedicated to highlighting local resources and programs that provide support and resources to parents.
  • DBRL’s Educational Resources Guide
    A catalog of learning tools from your library, including virtual programs, physical and digital collections, databases and free digital courses.
  • LearningExpress Library
    Provides test preparation materials for elementary through adult level, as well as math, reading comprehension and writing courses.
  • Universal Class
    Offers online continuing education courses taught by real instructors in subjects like language arts, math, science and history. (Must create a username and password to access.)
  • Homework Help Databases
    A list of our best subscription resources to help with schoolwork on subjects ranging from history and literature to science and math. Just use your DBRL library card to gain access.

State and Local Resources

Associations, Groups and Homeschooling Information
Curriculum Support and Classes
Things to Do
  • Enns Entomology Museum
    Located at the University of Missouri, this museum holds approximately 6 million specimens of insects, arachnids, and fossils.
  • Leisure Times
    Online edition of Parks and Recreation’s activity guide, listing recreational classes and activities available for all ages.
  • Museum of Art and Archaeology
    This museum frequently has special exhibitions, offers many options for tours, and has a number of education materials on its website.
  • National History Day in Missouri
    A yearlong educational competition that provides opportunity for young people grades 6 – 12 to explore history and present their findings in a range of formats.
  • TRYPS (Theater Reaching Young People and Schools)
    Community children’s theater company with a year-round production season.

National Resources

Associations, Groups and Homeschooling Information
Curriculum Support

Homework Help Guide

These online learning tools and research websites are all off-site resources available for free with your library card.

See also: DBRL’s Educational Resources Guide, a catalog of learning tools from your library, including virtual programs, physical and digital collections, databases and free digital courses.

Authors & Books

  • Books & Authors
    Find a new author or a whole new series tailored to your reading taste. Can limit search to young adults or children.
  • Book Collection: Nonfiction – Middle School Edition
    Search the full text of more than 3,100 popular nonfiction books for middle school students on subjects like health, life skills, ethnicity, sports, adventure, technology, history, science and more.
  • Book Collection: Nonfiction – Elementary Edition
    Search the full text of more than 1,300 popular nonfiction books for elementary school students on subjects like animals, weather, holidays, sports, Native Americans and more.
  • Literature Resource Center
    Critical essays and biographical information on more than 165,000 authors. Can limit search by “target audience” (including children).
  • eBook Collection (EBSCOhost)
    Online collection of 88,000 e-books. (Formerly NetLibrary.)
  • Novelist
    Search for works by a favorite author, readalikes and book discussion guides.

General Research

  • AccessScience
    McGraw-Hill’s Encyclopedia of Science and Technology.
  • Biography in Context
    Biographies on more than 5,100 people.
  • CultureGrams Online
    CultureGrams Online offers World, Kids, Canadian Provinces and U.S. States editions in which you’ll find maps, statistics, photo galleries, famous people and recipe collections.
  • MAS Ultra – School Edition
    Designed for high school students, this database contains full text articles, biographies, primary source documents, reference books and images on topics ranging from science, history and literature to political science, career exploration and more.
  • Middle Search Plus
    Designed for junior high and middle school students, this database features full text for magazines, biographies and historical essays; primary source documents; the Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia; American Heritage Dictionary; and photos, maps and flags.
  • World Book Online Reference Center
    Every article from the print encyclopedia enhanced with state-of-the-art multimedia, maps, and more. Includes Spanish Student Discovery Encyclopedia, World Book Kids and World Book Reference Center.

History & Geography

  • A to Z the USA
    Information about each state and U.S. territory, including climate, weather, demographics, geography, history and historical images.
  • African-American History Online
    Provides expansive and in-depth information on the people, events, and topics important to the study of African-American history.
  • American History Online
    Spans more than 500 years of political, military, social, and cultural history, highlighting the important people and events of the American experience.
  • American Indian History Online
    Offers thorough access to more than 15,000 years of Native American culture, history, and heritage.
  • American Women’s History Online
    Covers the important people, events, legislation, and issues relevant to the study of women’s history in the United States.
  • Ancient and Medieval History Online
    Explores the pre-modern world with in-depth focus on Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
  • Issues and Controversies in American History
    Builds a deeper understanding of how historical events have shaped our nation by exploring the key players and the battles they fought.
  • Modern World History Online
    Covers the people, places, and events in the broad expanse of history–from mid-15th century to the present.
  • U.S. Government Online
    Presents in-depth information on the structure and function of the U.S. government and its everyday role in the lives of citizens.

Magazines & Newspapers

  • MasterFILE Premier
    Provides full text and images from a wide range of general interest magazines.
  • NewsBank
    Full-text articles from the Fulton Sun and other American newspapers.
  • Newspaper Source
    Cover-to-cover full text for more than 40 national and international newspapers as well as selective full text for more than 389 regional papers, including the Columbia Daily Tribune.
  • SIRS Issues Researcher
    General reference database containing thousands of full-text articles exploring social, scientific, health, historic, business, economic, political and global issues.

Practice Tests, Exercises, & Tutoring

  • Brainfuse HelpNow
    Provides live, online tutoring for elementary through college students in a variety of subjects, including writing and test prep.
  • Learning Express Library
    Learning Express provides test preparation materials for elementary through adult level. Also includes sections useful for elementary school, middle school, and high school skills improvement, with diagnostic tests and practice exercises as well as math, reading comprehension and writing courses.
  • Parks and Recreation
    Open Monday-Friday from 3-7 pm during the school year. Many of the volunteer tutors are provided by MU’s Office of Service Learning. Call to confirm: 573.817.5077. There are no appointments.
    Location: Armory Sports Center – Downstairs
    701 E. Ash Street, Columbia MO.

LearningExpress

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Access a breadth of academic and career preparatory tools, including résumé and cover letter builders, as well as test preparation materials for elementary through adult level. Includes the ACT, ASVAB, civil service, EMS, firefighter, GED, GMAT, GRE, law enforcement, paramedic, PPST, real estate, SAT, United States citizenship and more.

LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. LinkedIn Learning offers video tutorials on technology skills, creative techniques, business strategies and other subject areas. Classes are taught by top experts and are set up so you can learn at your own pace.

LOTE4Kids

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. LOTE4Kids (Languages Other Than English) offers hundreds of animated stories in various languages. Listen to and read along with over 1,000 stories in more than 50 languages as well as English.

Mango Languages

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Explore learning tools to help you prepare for realistic conversations in over 70 world languages.

Niche Academy

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. View online video tutorials on how to use digital collections and services such as OverDrive, Hoopla, Consumer Reports, Morningstar and Universal Class.

Read It!

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Designed for middle and high school students and English Language Learners that need background knowledge in a variety of subjects. Topics covered include: history, civics & culture, life skills, literature and science. Each article is short and includes photos, diagrams and maps. A “Listen” feature highlights words as they are read. A “Translate” feature offers translation into 34 different languages.

Test Prep Guide

Practice Tests

  • LearningExpress Library
    Learning Express provides test preparation materials for elementary through adult level. Tests include the ACT, ASVAB, Civil Service, Cosmetology, EMS, Firefighter, GED, GMAT, GRE, HiSET, Law Enforcement, Paramedic, PPST, Real Estate, SAT, TOEFL, United States Citizenship and more.
  • ACT Student
    Online ACT test preparation offers free practice questions and two complete ACT practice tests that are fee-based.
  • College Board
    Free practice questions are available for SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, AP, and CLEP. Online and paper study guides are available to purchase.
  • ETS: Educational Testing Service
    This site offers free links to practice questions for several standard tests such as GRE, HiSET, TOEFL and other tests. Test preparation guides are also available for purchase.
  • Study Guide Zone
    Free site offers study guides to over 40 high school, college, graduate and vocational standardized tests.
  • Test Prep Review
    This free service provides practice test questions for ACT, PSAT, SAT, GRE and over 60 other standardized tests.

GED / HiSET

  • NOTE: In 2014 the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) began using the HiSET test as its high school equivalency test, replacing the GED. See DESE’s website for more information.

GRE

TOEFL

Tests: Classroom, Online or Tutor

  • Adult Basic Education – Callaway County
    (573) 659-3122
    HiSET classes are free and open to anyone who is over 16 and not currently enrolled in any public school. Classes are open enrollment and you work at your own pace. A state certified teacher facilitates evening classes to assist the student when necessary. The classes help the student to prepare for the HiSET exam, learn to read, improve workplace performance skills, or just brush up on the basics. Attendance and performance records are kept confidential.
  • Brainfuse Online Tutoring
    Brainfuse is an online platform offered through the library that contains resources for test prep, as well as online tutoring in a variety of subjects and education levels.
  • Columbia Area Career Center
    Columbia Area Career Center offers a wide variety of Business, Industry courses and Career certification programs. Classes include EPA Refrigeration Handlers, EPA Automotive Air Conditioning, Journeyman Electrician, A+ Certification and Network+ Certification, Accounting, Bookkeeping, Graphic Design, Home Inspection, Medical Coding, Medical Transcription, PC Repair and more. All classes are fee-based.
  • HiSET Preparation from ETS
    Free test preparation materials and practice tests for the HiSET (replaced the GED in 2014).
  • Kaplan Test Prep
    (800) 527-8378 and (800) KAP-TEST
    Kaplan offers a large variety of high school, college, graduate and professional test classes. This is a commercial site that offers classroom, online and tutoring for a fee.

Universal Class

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Offers over 600 free online continuing education courses taught by real instructors with remote, 24/7 access so you can study on your schedule.