Before heading out on the road trip, swing by the library

If you have been longing to travel, it might be time to break out a road map and plan a trip.

For people like me, maps are completely baffling. I can’t comprehend how people can use them to find their way around. I confess – I am directionally challenged. When I walk into a building, I need help getting out. My elementary school report cards inevitably read, “Marcy is a pleasure to have in class. She needs to work on her right and left.” Still working on it.

My husband is a total map guy. He understands what all of those colored lines and shapes mean. He knows his right and left, north, south, east, and west. He has traveled to distant lands where there are no roads, climbed impossible mountains, and canoed countless secluded waterways. And he can fold the map when he is done.

If maps are your thing, you should know about A to Z Maps Online. It’s a map database in The Digital Library at www.ebonnerlibrary.org. You can travel to places you know you’ll never visit, or you can prepare for an actual trip. There are literally hundreds of maps in this thing. Explore NASA maps and world maps as well as regional and city maps. You’ll also find geology maps, climate maps, and other specialized ones that make map people giddy - and you don’t have to fold them back up when you’re done.

What’s the best part about traveling? It’s the food, right? Explore our two new digital services, A to Z Food America and A to Z World Food. Each features a huge selection of recipes based on locale. Click on your state, ethnicity, ingredients, or other category to learn about the food culture and cook up an authentic treat.

Global Road Warrior is another travel resource in The Digital Library. Just log on with your library card and it will ask you where you want to go. Choose from 175 countries. Know before you go with details on local cuisine, language, immunizations, culture, history – over 110 topics! The brochure says “No other single resource covers so many topics, so well, for so many countries.”

When traveling involves learning a new language or a few phrases to get you by, Mango Languages is your best bet. Learn any of 70-plus different languages with a fun learning platform. It comes with a mobile app too. If you want a little extra help, you can use Pronunciator to drill down your language learning. Find Mango and Pronunciator in the Digital Library.

Whether you are ready to plan an actual future trip or you just want to dream of traveling, go to The Digital Library and see the many ways that The Library can take you anywhere!

EVENTS: Check our website Events Calendar for the full schedule of digital events for kids and teens at ebonnerlibrary.org.

• StoryWalks — The June titles have just been installed; at Dover City Park enjoy “Wolf The Bunny” by Ame Dyckman and Zachariah OHora and at McNearney Park in Ponderay, experience “The Wolf’s Chicken Stew” by Keiko Kasza.

• Calling tutors and students: Don’t get behind this summer! Whatever subject you are struggling with, we will work hard to find you a tutor who can help you get up to speed before school resumes in the fall. Tutoring sessions are remote and convenient.

Call The Library to learn more about our summer slide tutoring program today! We are also currently seeking volunteer remote tutors in a variety of subjects to tutor students over the summer. Training is provided and tutors do not have to live in Bonner County to apply. Some tutors are volunteering from other parts of the country! With schools closing early this year, our local students may face a slow start in the fall. Please consider volunteering for our remote tutoring program to help a student succeed in school by calling Mike Bauer at 208-265-2665.

For the latest updates on the reopening of library services, visit ebonnerlibrary.org.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208- 208-208-263-6930, ext. 1204.