The Great River Regional Library’s (GRRL) annual “High $5” fundraising campaign is underway once again, with libraries encouraging patrons to donate $5 or more towards the cost of library services throughout the month of March. 

 

Fifty percent of the money raised stays at the local library where the donation originated from, and fifty percent of the money goes to the regional system, which uses the money to purchase materials and technology available through all 32 of its branches.

 

This includes over 50 free databases GRRL offers to its patrons, with everything from student resources and languages to genealogy and auto repair. 

 

Although some of these databases are available to anyone, such as driving tests and Minnesota history, most require a library card, including health and learning resources, professional development, Britannica Online, Pronuciator and Chilton Library.

 

All the databases can be accessed from anywhere with the exception of Ancestry for Libraries, which is only available in the library.

 

“These databases are very user-friendly,” said Clearwater Librarian Cyrene Bastian. “Anyone can use them with little or no assistance.”

 

One that she often refers patrons to is MNLink, which allows them to search for and request materials outside the GRRL system through interlibrary loan.

 

“I’ve had student classes come in to the library and I’ll highlight the different programs available to them,” said Becker Librarian Jeannette Burkhardt. “They’re different resources they can use for help besides what the school offers.”

 

“One that often gets missed is LearningExpress Library,” she added. “It has learning resources for all ages including practice tests for GED, GRE, SAT and ACT, as well as job and career help.”

 

Burkhardt often refers patrons to NoveList as well, which is a database that helps people find new books to read based on genre, similarities to other books, or even mood, such as witty or nostalgic. 

 

Bastian recently started a program at the Clearwater library that meets at 11 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month called Tree Shakers, where patrons get together and work on genealogy though the Ancestry for Libraries database. She and Burkhardt are open to similar programs in the future.

 

Other databases available include the animated talking picture books Tumblebook Library for young children, Pronunciator, where patrons can learn 60 different languages, ChiltonLibrary.com for auto repair, and Lynda.com, which offers over 3,000 courses on business, technical and creative skills. 

 

Bastian and Burkhardt stress they’re available for assistance whenever needed. Patrons can also set up an appointment for help by calling the library or using the “Book a Librarian” link on GRRL’s website. 

 

“Our mission statement is ‘explore, learn, connect,’” said Bastian. “The databases are available to help us fulfill that mission.”

 

GRRL’s databases can be accessed on their website at griver.org. The database link, “Databases A-Z,” is located under the search bar. 

 

GRRL’s High $5 campaign continues through the end of March. All donations are tax deductible.