It’s official—September has arrived, and back-to-school season is in full swing here in Middle Country! School buses are rolling through our neighborhoods, crossing guards are on duty, and students are settling into their new classrooms. But back-to-school season isn’t just about young students adjusting to new grade levels—it is also a prime time for adults to pick up new skills, prepare for career advancements, or explore new passions…
⚠️ Safety First: School Zone Driving Reminders
With local school districts back in session, drivers are urged to exercise extra caution around school zones and buses:
- School Bus Safety: When yellow or red flashing lights turn on, stop completely. Never attempt to pass a stopped school bus. Besides it being incredibly dangerous to the children, you WILL get a ticket!
- Pedestrian & Crosswalk Caution: Slow down near crosswalks and pay close attention to crossing guards. Crossing guards work under the police department and are out in all weather conditions to keep children safe.
📚 Empowering Young Scholars & Families
September is officially Library Card Sign-Up Month, making it the ideal moment to equip your child with one of the most versatile academic tools available—a free library card! Beyond physical books for reading assignments and book reports, MCPL offers an extensive suite of digital learning databases tailored to every grade level:
| Target Audience | Resource / Database | Key Benefits |
| Early Learners (Pre-K – 1st Grade) | ABCmouse, Miss Humblebee’s Academy, TumbleBooks | Interactive foundational skills, early literacy, and digital storybooks. |
| Elementary & Middle School | TumbleMath, Educate Station, Britannica | Targeted math support, structured learning activities, and reliable research sources. |
| All K–12 Students | Brainfuse HelpNow & MCPL Study Pals | Live online homework help, tutoring, and in-person study support at the library. |
Beat the Research Crunch with Reliable Databases
Every year, students tackle research projects—such as the usualannual 4th-grade animal reports. When books on specific or rare subjects (like the popular axolotl!) are checked out, MCPL’s digital databases offer authoritative, fact-checked information. Unlike general web searches or unverified AI content, databases like Encyclopedia Britannica provide verified sources that teachers trust.
Recommended Back-to-School Reading
To help young readers transition into the school year or soothe first-day jitters, visit the special book display at MCPL featuring titles like:
- It’s the First Day of School… Forever! by R.L. Stine (Great for older kids)
- Classic favorite stories by Beverly Cleary
- Kevin Goes to School (Perfect for children nervous about their first day)
- Kindergarten Diary
🎓 Learning Isn’t Just for Kids: Adult Education at MCPL
Why should kids have all the fun? Fall is an excellent time for adults to pick up technical skills, practice typing, prep for licensing exams, or stream author talks. MCPL recently launched a fresh, modern website redesign at mcplibrary.org, making these tools seamless to access.
To access these premium platforms for free, go to Resources > Digital Resources > Online Learning on the MCPL website and log in with your library card and PIN.
Premium Online Learning Platforms Available Free:
- LinkedIn Learning: Master professional skills in coding, computer programming, digital marketing, graphic design, photography, and videography. Earn credentials and display skill badges directly on your LinkedIn profile.
- Udemy: Access thousands of top-rated video courses spanning technology, business, and creative disciplines.
- Brainfuse Adult Learning Center: GED prep, live professional resume and cover letter writing help, U.S. citizenship study materials, and Microsoft Office training.
- Learning Express Library Complete (EBSCO):
- Workplace Skills: Keyboarding/typing tutorials to build speed and accuracy, Microsoft Office training, and AI fundamentals.
- Career & Licensing Prep: Practice exams for Nursing & Allied Health, NCLEX-RN, EMS, Firefighting exams, Accuplacer, and CLEP tests.
- Bilingual Access: Offers extensive resources and test prep modules in Spanish.
- Library Speakers Consortium: Stream virtual talks with bestselling authors and top experts. Featured authors include Daniel Kraus, Priya Parker, Lucky Diaz, David O. Stewart, Lucy Foley, and award-winning plant biologist Beronda Montgomery.
🎧 Stay Tuned with MCPL
As autumn unfolds, keep an eye out for upcoming thematic podcast episodes, including the fan-favorite “Spooktober” series, holiday food discussions, and the annual holiday trivia episodes. PLUS be sure to subscribe to the podcast on YouTube.
