When I wrote about websites to help kids with their homework, I overlooked perhaps one of the best options. And, as reader Leslie Yoder points out, it’s a free resource created especially for Minnesotans.

The simply named Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM) offers a huge electronic cache of databases, magazine and newspaper articles, eBooks and other information to help anyone with research. It could actually be a one-stop resource for students, especially since it has sections devoted specifically to Kids: K- Grade5 and Teens: Grades 6-12. Images, book analyses, charts — whatever kids might need for schoolwork — are just a few clicks away. (Some might require a public library barcode for access.) The best part is that the many links are vetted by librarians, so students aren’t wading through catch-all search results. There’s even a Research Project Calculator to help students and teachers complete major assignments on time and conduct proper research at various steps along the way. Easy-to-follow tutorials help those who aren’t sure where to start.

“These are truly our tax dollars at work and far too few people know about these great resources,” said Yoder, an information literacy specialist in the Educational Technology Department of St. Paul Public Schools.

Here’s hoping more Minnesotans discover the vast resources of ELM.

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