Teacher Information

Youth and Teen Services Department

Head of Youth and Teen Services:
Tina Ruszala
tinar@phlibrary.org

Outreach Coordinator:
Carla Dinnocenzo
carlad@phlibrary.org

Volunteer Coordinator:
Mary Kate Klasen
marykatek@phlibrary.org

E-Resources

Tutor.com
Connects users to Live Homework Help, an onlinetutoring service that links students in grades K-12, those in introductory-level college courses, and adult learners to expert tutors (at no charge) in math, science, social studies, and English via the Internet.

Explora Primary Schools
Aimed for the primary school student, this is a user-friendly interface for content found in Searchasaurus and Kids Search, including top videos from the Associated Press.

Explora Public Libraries
Search popular magazine articles, encyclopedias, subject specific works, primary source documents, and videos. Browse topic areas for research paper ideas.

Learning Express Library
Each Learning Center offers practice tests, exercises, skill building courses and information you need to achieve the results you want - at school, at work, or in life.

Mango Languages
Mango Languages’ PhD-created and linguist-approved software teaches real conversations in over 60 languages and makes it fun.

Media on Demand
Media on Demand is an online source used to download e-books which are automatically returned to the library after a designated time period.

Scholastic Go!
Scholastic Go! is an online encyclopedia and news magazine designed with different entry points for elementary, middle and high school students. Includes links to other web sites, clickable maps, and dictionaries.

Tumblebooks
TumbleBook Library is a collection of animated, talking picture books. TumbleBook Cloud offers a collection of videos and chapter books.

Worldbook
This database includes both the World Book Encyclopedia and Research Libraries.

Special Teacher Resources

Youth and Teen Services is not just for kids! Many of the resources we have are specifically provided to assist the teachers in our community. Interested in using one of the resources listed below? Call or email us today!

  • Lynda.com: is a premier online learning resource offering more than 4,000 courses covering technical skills, creative techniques, business strategies, and more
  • Ellison Die Cuts (by appointment, paper NOT provided by the library)
  • Laminating
  • Media Lab: This room contains a green screen, digital video camera, electronic keyboard, and an Apple desktop with video and music editing software. A Canon digital camera is available upon request
  • Extra copies of the current nominated Illinois Reader Choice Award books
  • Assignment Alerts and Book Requests
  • Steam Kits
  • Book Bundles
  • Study Rooms

Library Outreach Services

We want to visit your school!

Librarians are available to visit your classroom and school events. It's a great way to connect the children with the library and provide a friendly face for them to see when they come on their own.

Tell us what you need! We can tailor our visits to most of the requests made by teachers. Let us know what you have in mind and we will try to make it work! Here are some examples of visits that have been provided in past years:

  • Story Time Visits
  • Booktalks
  • Curriculum Nights, Open House, School Fairs
  • Summer Reading Promotions

We want you to visit us!

Bring your class to visit the library and we can work together to create an experience that fits your needs. Some examples of visits in previous years include:

  • Tours/Library Education
  • Story Times
  • Research Assistance
  • Summer Reading Promotions

For more information or to schedule a visit contact us by phone or email:
Phone: 708-448-1473