Resources for Educators

Washington County Library is here to support teachers and educators! Learn how we can help you and your students and navigate the school year.

If you are a student or caregiver, check out our Learning Support page for information on the materials, databases, and online tools we have for students.

Educator Library Cards

Washington County Library offers special library cards with additional borrowing privileges for educators. An Educator Card allows additional checkouts for any educators in Minnesota, including public schools, private schools, home-school teachers, and tutors. This card is valid for two years. Learn more and register for an Educator Card.


Tools to Support Your Students

There are many library resources available to help students of all ages with homework and projects. Learn more about learning support for students

  • Online Homework Help: Homework Help is available through the library using Brainfuse HelpNow. Tutors are available to help kids, teens, and adults from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Get live, individual support for all grades and subjects! Spanish language tutors are also available. 
  • Research Databases: We provide free access to research databases for all ages, covering school subjects like art, technology, languages, math, science, and social studies. Many of the databases include primary source documents and reference books to assist with research projects. Explore our full list of research databases here.
  • Large Print Materials: We offer a variety of large print materials specifically for kids and teens, as well as a large collection of adult materials. You can find large print books on our shelves next to regular titles or by searching for "teen large print" or "children's large print" in our catalog.
  • History Day: Library staff are ready to help with your students' history day projects! Librarians can help with all stages of the research process, including finding primary sources and helping to organize information they've already found. We also organize an annual History Day Hullabaloo to provide one-on-one support. Learn more!


Special Collections

  • Road to Decode: All branches include a specific collection of "decodable" materials for beginning readers and readers who may have reading issues like dyslexia. Decodable titles help readers connect phonics and word analysis to understand what they’re reading and build reading fluency. Browse at your branch or view the collection online.
  • Large Print Materials: We offer a variety of large print materials specifically for kids and teens, as well as a large collection of adult materials. You can find large print books on our shelves next to regular titles or by searching for "teen large print" or "children's large print" in our catalog.


Assignment Alert Form

Washington County librarians are available to help find resources to support student assignments. Share upcoming assignments and projects with us through this online form so that we can better assist your students and ensure that we have the appropriate resources. As an educator, you may submit this assignment alert form for any large upcoming assignments or projects you will be assigning to your students. 


Ebooks and SORA

Anyone with a Washington County Library card can access ebooks, eaudiobooks, and digital magazines from all Twin Cities public libraries through the OverDrive and Libby apps

Access More Digital Materials with SORA

Washington County Library also participates in SORA, an OverDrive application that allows schools to give students access to both their OverDrive digital collection and their public library's digital collection.

With SORA, both collections can be accessed seamlessly from your school's website without requiring students to log in to the Washington County Library catalog - giving them easier access to even more digital materials! To sign up, contact SORA.


Schedule a School Visit

Washington County Library staff are happy to visit your school for a storytime, book talk, library resources presentation, or to share information about library programs. You can also schedule a class tour of your local library or arrange a virtual presentation.

To schedule a visit or a tour of a library, complete this form at least two weeks in advance. After submitting the form, a librarian from your nearest library will connect with you to finalize details.