Any Boone County resident with a library card can now access free ACT and SAT prep courses, language lessons in more than 140 languages, and AI literacy tutorials through five digital platforms the Boone County Public Library announced July 28.

The tools arrive three weeks before Boone County Schools students head back to class on August 19.

The library's BCPL Undiscovered blog detailed the expanded offerings, which include Transparent Language, PrepSTEP High School, LearningExpress Library, Opposing Viewpoints, and Gale Literature Resource Center. All five are free.

What's new

Transparent Language is the library's newest addition, offering courses in more than 140 languages including American Sign Language and multiple dialects of French, Spanish, and Arabic. It also includes KidSpeak, a program for students in kindergarten through second grade.

PrepSTEP High School delivers micro-lessons on study skills like note-taking and multitasking strategies, plus dedicated sections on information literacy and AI literacy.

LearningExpress Library provides guided prep courses for the ACT, SAT, and 23 AP exams. The ACT and SAT courses include targeted strategies, skills reviews, progress checks, full-length practice tests, and flashcards. AP resources include two full-length practice exams per subject.

Opposing Viewpoints covers 492 current issues with academic articles, statistics, primary sources, and videos. The BCPL Undiscovered blog describes it as a starting point for research papers and persuasive essays.

Gale Literature Resource Center offers literary criticism, historical context, genre and theme analysis, and author biographies.

How to access

Cardholders can reach all five platforms through the library's digital resources page at bcpl.org/digital-library. Residents 13 and older who don't have a full library card can sign up online for a free Temporary Digital Access Card, valid for six months, according to the BCPL website.

BCPL operates six branches serving Boone County: Main Library, Scheben Branch, Florence Branch, Hebron Branch, Walton Branch, and Chapin Memorial Library.

Coming up in Boone County

  • August 3-7: Back-to-School Bash, ages 6-12, $15 per child, England Idlewild Park (sessions at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.)
  • August 6: Storytime in the Park, Boone Woods Park
  • August 13: Storytime in the Park, Central Park
  • August 19: First day of school, Boone County Schools
  • August 20: Storytime in the Park, England Idlewild Park
  • August 23: Boone Woods Arts & Craft Show, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Boone Woods Park