​The Youth Services department at the State Library of Iowa along with Iowa libraries have put together a list of some resources that might be helpful for those doing remote/distance learning or homeschooling this year!  If you are ever looking for books or other materials that we do not own, please let us know and we will do our best to help you find it. 
Legal Info & Groups
State of Iowa Department of Education: COVID-19 Guidance and Information: 
  • Provides information on what the state of Iowa allows for educational options for home schooling.
Coalition for Responsible Home Education: 
  • The Coalition for Responsible Home Education empowers homeschooled children by educating the public and advocating for child-centered, evidence-based policy and practices for families and professionals.
The Homeschool Mom: 
  • Find out how to homeschool, what the homeschool requirements are for Iowa residents, connect with local homeschoolers, find nearby classes and co-ops, discover field trip destinations, and much more.
Homeschooling in Iowa: 
  • Here you'll find information on homeschooling methods, support groups, local and state events, online resources, and much more.
Home EDucators Resource Directory: 
  • List of Homeschool networks in Iowa.
National Home School Association: 
  • NHSA provides comprehensive support, programs, activities, and resources to the nationwide community of homeschoolers. Some homeschoolers choose NHSA over HSLDA because of secular reasons.
Home School Legal Defense Association-Iowa Guidelines:
  • HSLDA is a Christian organization but memberships and services do not have a religious requirement. They are one of the largest clearinghouses for homeschooling information in the country.
Library Resources
Get a Barlow Library card!
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Check out our amazing online resources that can be used from home:
  • Brain Fuse has test preparation and practice exams for GED, ACT, AP tests. Also, career information, computer skills instruction, and more!
  • Bridges offers eBooks and audiobooks available to download for FREE any time, anywhere. All you need is your library card!
  • Credo Reference is an easy-to-use tool for research, homework, and other reference needs. Gather background information on your topic from over one thousand full-text encyclopedias and subject handbooks, as well as 500,000+ images and audio files and over 1,000 videos.
  • Gale Resources- Our line of periodical resources provides the largest and most comprehensive aggregations of digital periodical content available with nearly 20,000 titles, 57 collections and the fewest embargoes on average
  • Transparent Languages  is an online language learning program.
Did you know that you can also get a library card from the State of Iowa?  Request a State Library Card here!
The below resources are available to all online users.
The below resources require a State Library Card to access. Request a State Library Card.
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  • Gale Resources - Package of databases covering a full range of academic and general-interest topics. (Also available with your Barlow Library Card)
  • Opposing Viewpoints - Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints is the premier online resource covering today's hottest social issues, from capital punishment to immigration to marijuana.
  • Chilton Library - Authoritative automotive repair covering the most popular vehicles of the past 30 years. (Also available with your Barlow Library Card)
  • Credo Reference - Combining authoritative reference content with a one-stop exploratory search platform. (Also available with your Barlow Library Card)
  • Transparent Language - Complete language-learning system with flexible learning paths to over 100 languages. ​(Also available with your Barlow Library Card)
  • ReferenceUSAGov is an Internet-based reference service for Government Agencies. The State Library provides these ReferenceUSAGov databases from Infogroup:
    • U.S. Businesses - 58 million businesses and 3.3 million closed businesses
    • U.S. Consumers / Lifestyles listing 318 million individuals
    • ReferenceUSAgov for remote users.
  • Foundation Directory Online - a research tool to help nonprofits find the grantmakers most likely to fund their projects.
  • FirstSearch -  Information resource which includes the full text of magazines, newspapers and reference tools.
  • Digital Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps - Historical maps of 360 Iowa towns developed to identify fire hazards.