Okay, so we know Netflix, we know Crave, we’ve tried to find everything for free on Youtube at least once. But, have you been to your local library lately? I’m thinking it’s probably been a while. In a world of endless streaming services and having access to ebooks at home, it’s no surprise that some of us might forget about all of the amazing FREE resources that our school or local library can provide.
If you work in a school, you’re likely familiar with your library, or you at least know who the librarian is. But if it’s been a while since you worked near a library, I highly recommend checking out the local library in your town.
Chances are, if you swing by the library, you can pick up a library card completely free of charge. Most city libraries require you to prove your address, and some libraries will charge a fee for an out-of-towner. Please note that this address verification step limits those without permanent housing from accessing free educational and supportive resources.
If you are fortunate enough to have access to your local library, a library card should be your first move. Aside from books, you can borrow DVDs, CDs, access computers, community programs, and so much more. But I want to bring to your attention is the online catalogue or streaming service that your library partners with. Many school and local libraries in Ontario have a partnership with OverDrive.
Streaming resources… for free?
My local library (Kawartha Lakes Public Library) uses Hoopla! It’s similar to OverDrive in that it contains ebooks, audiobooks, television series, movies, music, and more.
In ENG3C, we read And Then There Were None. You can find the older film adaptations from 1945 and 1974 for free on Youtube. But if you’re looking for the 2016 mini-series, then it might be a little harder to find. Going on a hunt for this series to makes connections in class, I landed on Hoopla.
The reason I love it is because I can access resources my school may not have for free, or I can find series that aren’t available on other streaming services. I love that I can use the service to support my students’ learning in English lit – FOR FREE.
To access, follow these instructions ⇨ ⇨ ⇨ ⇨
How to Access Free Streaming Services Online
1. Sign up for a library card at your local library. You can do this online or in-person.
2. Sign into your library account online to access their catalogue.
3. Using the library’s website, access their catalogues partner – OverDrive, Hoopla, etc.
4. Sign up for an account on the streaming partner’s website by using your library card number and local library information.
5. Sign in and search!
TIP: We have an Amazon Fire Stick at home, so we’ve downloaded Hoopla as one of our apps for easy watching on the big screen!