Birmingham Public Library offers online resources as stay-at-home orders extend

Alabama’s Governor, Kay Ivey announced on Thursday, March 26th, that all state schools will remain closed through the end of the school year. With this update, parents may feel like they’re scrambling to gain footing as homeschooling endeavors are extended.

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“This decision has not been made lightly,” Ivey stated in a press conference following the announcement. Previously, Ivey had relayed she had hoped to return to school in early April, but the decision to keep students at home was made as public safety become an even bigger concern.

Birmingham Public Library offers online resources as stay-at-home orders extend

Ivey urged Alabamians to shelter in place and utilize safety and sanitation precautions. “This does not mean you stay at home and then invite all your friends to come over for a visit. Beginning at the start of school on April 6, 2020, all public K-12 schools shall implement a plan to complete the 2019-2020 school year using alternate methods of instruction as established by the State Superintendent of Education.”

“Local school districts shall make staffing decisions and determinations related to access to school buildings in accordance with all applicable public health orders and the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Alabama Department of Public Health,” Ivey said.

Birmingham Public Library offers online resources as stay-at-home orders extend

Photo by Ivan Aleksic on Unsplash

In order to assist parents during this time, the Birmingham Public Library system (BPL) is joining forces with libraries nationwide to help provide resources online. This is being accomplished through a national company, Gale, that provides technology and educational content.