Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, colleges and universities across the state are teaching courses remotely, and many students are opting not to dorm on campus. Attending college from home can limit visits to the campus library, where students would typically study, access resources, print assignments, and seek assistance from library staff. While eBooks, databases, and even reference help can now be accessed online, some library services and resources cannot, such as space to study, printers, and physical collections.
This is where the local public library comes in. Public libraries serve everyone in the community and offer college students a variety of services and resources including:
- Free broadband/WiFi access.
- Safe and quiet place to study.
- Access to technology, including computers, printers, copiers, scanners, and hotspots.
- Remote access to printers.
- Interlibrary loan for non-eBook access (with curbside pickup!).
- Research databases and digital media resources not available through the campus library.
- Online learning and tutoring.
- Reference collections.
- Non-fiction and literature collections.
- Regional historic collections.
- Library programming.
- Assistance from reference librarians and other library staff.
Local college students can access the following online resources through Hauppauge Public Library:
- eBooks and audiobooks (OverDrive, Libby, Cloud Library, and Hoopla).
- Newspapers (historic and current) and magazines (Flipster, various databases).
- Online learning resources and tutoring (Brainfuse, Hoonuit, Niche Academy, and Pronunciator).
- Films, documentaries, and music (Kanopy, Hoopla, and Freegal).
- Research databases through platforms like Gale and EBSCO.
- Regional historic collections, such as NY Heritage Digital Collections.
- Other digital collections (Digital Public Library of America, Britannica School, and more)
- Career and employment resources (Brainfuse, Career Cruising, and Long Island 2-1-1)
The majority of resources and services offered by public libraries are free and only require a library card.