Online Resources for Parents and Children

(click on links in blue)

C/W MARS Library Catalog

Search the online catalog for books, cds, audiobooks, dvds and magazines for parents and children.  There are titles available in every genre as well as cookbooks, biographies, nature field guides, arts and crafts books, nursery rhyme collections, poetry, bilingual resources, parenting books, musical scores and more. You may reserve items online and view your account.

Databases (online reference sources)

provided by the C/W MARS Library Network, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and Massachusetts Library Regional Systems.

Children can use the databases for online reference sources (click on “databases” and enter your library card number) at home, for accurate, authoritative and up to date information on all subjects.  Visit the library for help using these resources or call 508-485-5031.

History for Students

Digital Collections Online

View the rich cultural heritage in museums, historical societies, colleges, libraries and other repositories in Massachusetts.  Digital Collections is funded by a federal Library Services and Technology Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the MBLC.

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners provides links to other Digital Collections in the state.

Digital Treasures

This digital library repository, developed by the Central and Western Massachusetts Regional Library Systems, is a great resource for students studying the history of Massachusetts. 

Massachusetts History Online is a C/W MARS database that contains full-text articles from professional journals.  Look for this database under Social Sciences.

American Memory is a gateway to the Digital Collections of the Library of Congress, the National Library of the United States.  There is a link to Global Gateway, the World Libraries and Collections and a fun and educational link to America’s Library for Kids and Families.

Internet Links

ALA’s Great Web Sites for Kids

The American Library Association’s Great Web Sites for Kids has links to fun and educational web sites listed by subject.  You may limit your search by intended audience (pre-K, elementary, middle school, parents/ teachers).  There is also helpful information about how to evaluate a web site.

Child Safety on the Information Highway has important information about how to keep children safe online.

Kids Health has informative sections for parents, kids and teens on a variety of health, social and developmental issues.

KidSpace @ the Internet Public Library

KidSpace is a useful web directory for kids, parents and teachers.  There is a “Features” section with helpful resource guides on various subjects.

Massachusetts Audubon Society has information for children and parents about local events, wildlife and land conservation projects and a directory to sanctuaries in Massachusetts. There is also an interesting Outdoor Almanac for the month.

MSPCA is a great website for children with pets or families interested in adopting a pet.  They have an eNewsletter and information about pet care, cat tips, dog training, health and nutrition.

Medline Plus is a service of the National Library of Medicine.  It has a wealth of up to date and user friendly information for parents, teachers and children. 

Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library loans Braille and recorded materials to children and adults with a visual, physical or reading disability.  Click on “resources” to download an application.

PBS Kids is a fun and educational website parents and children can visit.  There are games and activities with favorite public television characters and resources for parents and teachers.

Southborough News has helpful links to town departments as well as up to date information and pictures of local current events.

Tox Town (National Library of Medicine) has information about environmental chemicals.  It has fun, educational games for children to play.  There are lesson plans available for teachers.