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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

• Columbia Homeschooling Resource Group
  CHRG is an organization for mid-Missouri homeschoolers offering supplemental educational and social activities.
• Jefferson City Home Educators (JCHE)
  A Christian-based group offering support, activities and homeschooling information for mid-Missouri families.
• Jefferson City Secular Homeschooling Group (JCSHG)
  An “inclusive, secular group” providing support for homeschooling families.
• Mid-Missouri Co-op of Home Educators
• A2Z Homeschooling – Missouri
  A listing of associations, events, publications, etc. centered in Missouri.
• Families for Home Education
  Represents and lobbies for home educators in Missouri.

Curriculum Support and Classes

• Columbia Area Career Center
  Offers many classes for high schoolers, some of which can be taken for credit.
• Heritage Academy
  University-model school offering K-12 classes, designed to supplement homeschooling.
• Missouri Digital Heritage Initiative
  List of digitized collections specific to our state, as well as educational programs and curricula.
• Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP)
  MOCAP offers online courses for K – 12 students statewide.

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

• Finding Dulcinea: Homeschooling Web Guide
  Offers resources covering different kinds of home-based schooling, legal aspects, teaching and test-prep resources, online homeschool communities and news.
• Home School Legal Defense Association
  Nonprofit home school advocacy organization providing legal information, including a summary analysis of the homeschooling law in Missouri. While many resources are free, legal advice, courses and some other tools are limited to paying members.
• New York Times “Times Topics”: Home Schooling
  Current news about home schooling, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.
• National Home Education Research Institute
  NHERI conducts research and collects and analyzes statistics, facts and findings about home-based education.

Curriculum Support

• American Library Association Book Lists – Children
• American Library Association Book Lists – Young Adults
• Coursera
  Offers free online courses from partner universities and educational organizations on topics spanning the humanities, medicine, biology, social sciences, mathematics, business, computer science, and many others. Many courses are suitable for high school students.
• Database of Award-Winning Children’s Literature
  Use this fully-searchable database to create a tailored reading list of quality children’s literature or to find out if a book has won one of the indexed awards.
• Enchanted Learning
  Curriculum support items, including coloring pages, unit studies, science fair projects and more. Click free sample pages for resources available to non-members.
• iCivics: The Democracy Lab
  Georgetown Law’s web-based education project uses games and simulations to teach civics to students. Includes curriculum units for teachers.
• Khan Academy
  A free online collection of over 2,800 micro lectures via video tutorials stored on YouTube teaching mathematics, history, finance, physics, chemistry, etc. for all ages.
• Library of Congress Digital Collections
  Provides free and open access to written and spoken word, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience.
• The World Factbook
  From the CIA, information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military and transnational issues for 266 world entities.

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

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.

LOG IN TO THIS RESOURCE. Access 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.

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.

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.