Home Resources


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If you or your child are not feeling well, we encourage you to stay home and enjoy our Digital Library instead.  The Dustin M. Sekula Memorial Library has extensive resources to keep you and your family entertained.

While we’re taking every measure to keep the Library clean and sanitized, the best way to avoid spreading germs is to stay home when you’re sick.

Here’s a list of resources accessible from home.  See you when you feel better!

Adult and Teen Resources

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cloudLibrary

cloudLibrary offers thousands of e-Book titles and audiobooks that you can download directly to your mobile device, tablet or computer. Most e-Books and audiobooks are available for immediate download, which means no waiting. E-Books and audiobooks can be played on any computer, laptop or a wide range of mobile devices.  (A library card from any Hidalgo County Library is required to download material.  If you do not have a library card, please call the library at (956) 383-6246 to get an E-Card to access cloudLibrary).

Download cloudLibrary app at: Apple App Store Google Play Store

cloudLibrary NewsStand

cloudLibrary NewsStand offers thousands of digital magazines and newspaper titles that you can download directly to your mobile device, tablet or computer.  (A library card from any Hidalgo County Library is required to download material.  If you do not have a library card, please call the library at (956) 383-6246 to get an E-Card to access cloudLibrary NewStand).

Download cloudLibrary NewsStand app at: Apple App Store Google Play Store

E-Read Texas (SimplyE)

E-Read Texas offers more than 10,000 e-books that includes popular fiction and non-fiction, as well as a collection of more than 600 books for children grades K through 8. The collection also features a library of Texas-related works published by Texas university presses, such as Texas A&M University Press and the University of Texas Press. With more than 1,700 titles, this collection focuses on Texas history, geography, nature, and many other topics.  (A Dustin M. Sekula Memorial Library card is required to download material.  If you do not have a library card, please call the library at (956) 383-6246 to get an E-Card to access E-Read Texas).

Download SimplyE app at: Apple App Store Google Play Store

Click here for E-Read Texas (SimplyE) Instructions for: Android and Apple iOS.

Click here for E-Read Texas (SimplyE) Troubleshooting.

SimplyE App not compatible with:

  • Any iOS devices using iOS 9.3.6 or older
  • Any Android devices using Android 4.4.4 or older
  • Nook e-readers
  • Kindle e-readers and tablets
  • Kobo e-readers
  • Web Version Not Available!


CareerOneStop

Provides integrated, easy-to-understand workforce information that helps job seekers, students, workers, workforce intermediaries, and employers develop their capacity and make sound economic decisions in the new economy.

TexShare

Search a wide assortment of databases in one spot. Categorization is by subject with Spanish content available on select databases. Links to additional resources are available. 
Steps for Accessing the TexShare Databases from home:

1) Click on the TexShare link.

2) On the page that appears, left-click or tap the link "Select Your Library." A drop-down menu appears with a list of Texas libraries.

 3) Scroll down that menu and left-click or tap the option "Dustin Michael Sekula Library" so that its radio button is filled. Then tap the Next button.

4) An empty field appears requesting a password. Type the password: TX78539

Workforce Solutions

WFS' mission statement is: To provide job seekers with the skills, and business with the talent, they need to be successful.

The Portal to Texas History

The Portal to Texas History is a gateway to rare, historical, and primary source materials from or about Texas. Created and maintained by the University of North Texas Libraries, the Portal leverages the power of hundreds of content partners across the state to provide a vibrant, growing collection of resources.

LibriVox

LibriVox is an online collection of public domain  audiobooks, narrated by real people and distributed for free, in audio format on the internet.

GCF Learn Free

Learn something new on GCF Learn Free.  GCF Learn Free is an online educational site that includes courses and videos in popular fields like Computer Skills, GED, Workplace Skills, Career Planning and much more.

Goodreads
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Goodreads has book reviews on all sorts of books.  Users can browse books by genre, or search for specific books.  There is also the ability to see what users enjoy, a list of the “Goodreads Choice Awards,” and a searchable list of quotes (both taken from books as well as by just straight from a person).

Common Sense Media

This website has information on different books, movies, and video games.  There are ratings posted by kids and parents, and there’s a guide to movie content (contains positive role models, language, violence, etc.).  Most reviews are text, though there are some video reviews.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Find information on health issues, statistics, how you can prevent conditions, tips for traveling and emergency preparedness, and so much more.

MedlinePlus

National Library of Medicine’s database of health information for consumers and health professionals. Includes information on over 750 health topics, drugs and supplements, medical encyclopedia, dictionaries, interactive tutorials, and surgery videos. Also includes health information in over 40 languages.

MedlinePlus - Spanish

MedlinePlus le ayuda encontrar las respuestas que usted busca en temas de salud. MedlinePlus ha recopilado la informacion mas confiable proveniente de fuentes autorizadas tales como la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina y los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud, asi como otras agencias gubernamentales y organizaciones de servicios para la salud. MedlinePlus tambien le ofrece mucha informacion sobre medicamentos, una enciclopedia medica ilustrada, programas interactivos para el paciente y las mas recientes noticias acerca de la salud.

PubMed

A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine that includes over 16 million citations from MEDLINE and other life science journals for biomedical articles back to the 1950s. Areas include medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, health care, and pre-clinical sciences.

Federal Student Aid

The Official U.S. Department of Education website, this contains information of the FAFSA, grants, scholarships, student loans, and work study.  It also has information about choosing a school, budgeting, and contains for resources for parents as well.

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STC Research Guide

South Texas College Library's guide to research and report-writing. There are also special guides which include Copyright & Fair Use, Government Websites, News & Current Events, and Writing & Citing Sources.

UTRGV Research Guide

The University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley Research Guide includes a variety of subjects such as English, Math, Chemistry, History, etc. There are also library links such as the Library Catalog, Copyright Support, and Special Collections and Archives.

Watch Know Learn

Connects students and teachers to thousands of educational videos, with subjects ranging from math and science to arts and history.  WatchKnowLearn has a dedicated team of teachers and educational professionals who provide oversight of the videos recommended by our diverse user population.

Instructables

Get step-by-step, user created instructions on how to make just about anything. Examples include instructions on building a digital microscope or sewing a zipper.

Children Resources

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Tumblebook 

Offers a selection of children’s books on your computer using flash animation that you can read or read along with. Discover interactive games, language learning, iPad viewable books, and Non-fiction books. Reading levels and accelerated reader information are included. The website is available in English, Spanish or French. 

Accelerated Reader

Find out the reading level, interest level, and point value of the books your children are reading. Search by title, author, ISBN, or quiz number. Book summaries and recommended reading lists are also available.

Smithsonian for Kids

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Children can explore and learn a range of interesting things while having fun exploring the Smithsonian for kids.

MathGameTime

An engaging, educational and trustworthy resource for children to learn math in a fun and exciting way. It provides free math games, worksheets and videos.

Science Buddies

Helps students find free project ideas in all areas of science from physics to food science and music to microbiology.

Google Arts & Culture

Google Arts & Culture is an online platform through which the public can view high-resolution images and videos of artworks and cultural artifacts from partner cultural organizations throughout the world.

Dedicated to advancing the understanding and protection of the natural world, the Cornell Lab joins with people from all walks of life to make new scientific discoveries, share insights, and galvanize conservation action.