Gale directories library

C.L. has passed on to me a flyer for the Gale Essential Directories database which has things like the Encyclopedia of Associations, Business Rankings Annual, Market Share Reporter and others. It might be worth taking a look at if the price is right. I left the flyer on my desk if you want to check it out.

Mango Languages

I spoke to a customer today who was interested in Mango Languages. She said that her granddaughter had access to it from her library and she was interested in learning Italian with her granddaughter.

I spoke with Ryan from Mango Languages (link to trial) and he said that they will be adding an additional 16 languages in the next few months including Hindi, Irish, Thai, ESL for Russian, ESL for Chinese & a generic ESL. He walked through a lesson to highlight some of the features they offer. On their homepage, customers can search to see if their local library offers the service. He said they set that up to drive people to the library sites (I'm sure they're also hoping that people will call the library and ask about it). Lessons are self-paced and can be bookmarked. The main focus is on speaking, but they do offer some grammar. If we decide to purchase the service for the start of our fiscal year, the cost is $3000/year. Otherwise, it will go up to $3500/year.

C. L.

Gale Virtual Reference Library Titles

Some time ago we purchased several titles from the Gale Virtual Reference Library. These titles are ours just like a book would be. They are not updated. The titles purchased are:

• Gale Excyclopedia of Surgery and Medical Tests, 2nd ed
• Gale Encyclopedia of World History: Governments
• UXL Encyclopedia of Biomes
• Great Depression and the New Deal Reference Library
• Industrial Revolution Reference Library
• U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology

We haven't gotten them up so that users can access them. We can put them up in whatever way you think would be most useful. Some libraries have included them on their database pages: Worcester Public Library and Newark Public Library. Other libraries have created a separate page with information about each title (some with pictures of the covers, some without): Madison Public Library, Loudon County Library, Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library. Titles can also be linked in our catalog: Los Gatos Public Library Catalog.

What do you all think is the best way to get these titles out there so that our users can access them?

C. L.

Trial of Language Learning Software from Tell Me More

Tell Me More is offering a free 45 day trial of their Language Learning Software to NJLA attendees if we contact them by 5/22. The contact number is 888.388.3535 Ext. 652

According to the email, they offer:

* 11 languages and 15 software interfaces available
* Easy to use, even for computer novices
* Serves all skill levels - beginner through advanced
* Speech labs featuring advanced Speech Recognition provide for perfect pronunciation
* Occupation, Geography & Cultural Awareness modules
* Printable lessons and quizzes for mobile learning
* Personalized learning paths for students
* In-depth learner tracking & reporting



C. L.

Update from Michael World

Mr. Lamb wishes to draw our attention to MELCAT which he thinks is a meta search engine that the New Jersey State Library will eventually use as a model. He also gave me some printed information about potential databases for consideration - it's on my desk if you want to take a look. (Tim)

Databases for consideration?

C.L. passed on to me a flyer of some of Gale's offerings, and a couple caught my attention. What do you think of these?

Gale Legal Forms: Standard legal tasks can become less daunting, thanks, in part, to Gale LegalForms. This online resource delivers everything do-it-yourselfers need to take charge of their legal affairs with confidence. Gale LegalForms offers an easy-to-use, step-by-step approach to addressing basic legal matters. Simply locate the form that’s needed by using any of the links found on the home page and download the specific form. Then, enter all relevant information and print it. Completed forms also can be saved to a computer’s hard drive or e-mailed to a home address. The information entered is held in absolute privacy.

Testing and education reference center: Whether it's preparing admission materials or getting a heads-up on preparatory tests, the Testing & Education Reference Center (TERC) is Gale's online tool designed to help students — from high school to graduate school to specialty school — prepare to make their further education decisions easier. Loaded with information on colleges, technical schools and executive programs, practice entrance, certification and professional license exams that show students what to expect and how to prepare to get to — and excel at — the next level. TERC also helps interested scholars prepare financially for their endeavor by identifying financial aid and other monetary sources available to them and offers tips on how to secure these available funds. Students and seasoned professionals TERC with Careers helps users identify a career path with a career assessment test and key information on more than 1,100 occupations. Plus, the Resumé Builder and Virtual Careers Library makes this perfect for job seekers by providing specific examples and tips for the job search.