February 2021
Fort Bend County Libraries offers a variety of homework-assistance tools and educational resources that are available online and can be accessed 24/7 with an FBCL library card from the comfort and safety of home.
FBCL librarians have created some how-to videos that demonstrate how to use these resources. These videos, as well as many other helpful online tutorials, such as “How to Use Wikipedia… the Right Way” or "Research How-To: Using a Citation to Find a Source," are available on FBCL’s YouTube channel. Clicking on the titles below will take you to each video tutorial. A library card is not required to view these video tutorials.
These video tutorials are examples of just a few of FBCL’s many online resources that are available for students. Click on our databases tab to find help on science and math; social studies, history, and geography; encyclopedias, dictionaries, and almanacs; practice tests, languages, and much more.
Librarian assistance is also available by phone, email, or online chat.
Brainfuse -- This tutorial will demonstrate how to access the FBCL’s Brainfuse HelpNow Homework-Tutoring resource from home, and how to take advantage of the services it offers. This resource enables the library system to provide online homework assistance in a broad range of subjects in both English and Spanish for students in grades K through 12, free of charge. Click here for a tutorial on Brainfuse's SkillSurfer section.
Gale in Context: Biography -- In this tutorial, learn how to access the online resource, "Gale in Context: Biography.” A comprehensive database of biographical information, this resource includes authoritative information on more than 185,000 people throughout history, around the world, and across all disciplines and subject areas.
Gale in Context: Science -- In this tutorial, learn how to access the online resource, "Gale in Context: Science.” This database helps students understand the context for hundreds of science topics through overviews, journals, news, interactive experiments, and more.
Literary Reference Center – In this EBSCO database, discover literary criticisms, biographies, bibliographies, and social and historical context from full-text essays, articles, and reviews. Access full-text poems, short stories, plays, author portraits, literary terms, links to websites, and links to NPR broadcasts.
Opposing Viewpoints – This resource provides viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to websites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles for information on social issues and current events.
STAAR-TEA Student-Assessment Division -- The Texas Education Agency website includes previously released STAAR tests and information booklets that can be reviewed for future test-taking. This video demonstrates how to access the TEA website from the FBCL website, how to download tests, and more.