Freegal

One of my favorite e-resources that the library offers is Freegal.

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Many patrons are unaware of this free music service. Freegal allows all library users to download and stream five free songs or music videos a week. These songs can be downloaded to your computer or to the Freegal app on your smartphone or tablet.

Run out of downloads for the week? Don’t worry!! Freegal has a wonderful wishlist option where all future downloads can be saved so you don’t have to remember!

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Freegal is easy to use and easy to navigate. However, if a patron or staff member runs into any issues, their FAQ section offers wonderful technical help and trouble shooting.

 

Gabi

Robinson Library

 

Continue ReadingFreegal

Foreign Language Anyone?

Have your patrons made a New Year’s resolution to learn a new language or reacquaint themselves with a language from their youth? Why not introduce them to Mango Languages? It’s an excellent language-learning tool with mobile capability – what could be better?

To start learning with Mango, patrons should create an account with their name, preferred email, and a password. Then, it’s only a matter of selecting one of the 72 languages to learn.

 

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As you might expect with an online language learning tool, Mango Languages offers an interactive interface, teaching through conversations, videos, and cultural courses. It provides feedback and is most effective with a strong internet connection and a microphone. Each lesson in Mango offers conversational and grammar goals with quizzes throughout. Additionally, language learners can navigate between lessons or review the entire chapter in a table of contents style layout.

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Don’t forget that Mango Languages is accessible remotely. It even has a mobile app available in the iTunes App Store or on Google Play.

If you have the opportunity, it might be a good idea to review the navigation in Mango Languages. There is left navigation, a top navigation, and navigation specific to the lessons, so it can be a little confusing. Here’s a breakdown of the navigation systems:

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Finally, Mango’s full-length videos offer advanced language learners the opportunity to test their skills, while Little Pim teaches kids foreign languages with fun videos and games.

With this overview of Mango Languages, you should be ready to get your patrons started learning a new language in no time!

Alexis Rittenberger

Northland Public Library

Continue ReadingForeign Language Anyone?

Discover your Next Favorite Book … with Novelist!

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Novelist is an incredible discovery tool with lots of really useful content and components.  Its easy-to-use interface provides relevant book suggestions for library staff, patrons, book groups, and educators.  Novelist allows you to search for books by title, author, age group, interest, genre and more.

If someone is looking for a great book from 2016, Novelist makes it really easy to find one based on what that person wants to read.  For example, click on Best Fiction of 2016 to bring up a list of genres.

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Then, select the genre, and Novelist will give you list of recommended reads.

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Find something?  Click on the book … Novelist will give you a description of the book along with book reviews, detailed information and awards.   If you like what you see, click on the link:  Check Library Catalog.  The link will take you right to the EINetwork Catalog.  You can request online or go to your library to pick up.

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Novelist is also an excellent reader advisory tool!  When you  find a book you like, Novelist offers recommendations for read-alikes.  You will see them in the right hand column.

There is so much more you can get, too.  The toolbar at the top is very easy to use.

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For example, from Quick Links you can get author read-alikes, book discussion guides, books-to-movies, curricular connections, grab and go book lists, and more.   Click on How Do I? and you can find books by grade or Lexile, appeal or genre, get alerted when new content is available, see only books in your specific library and learn how to use Novelist.

You probably won’t need it, but Help is only a click  away on the top right-hand side of the page.  There are also You Tube tutorials available from this link.

I love using Novelist and can’t wait to see what is coming for 2017!

Lisa, Upper St. Clair Library

 

 

 

 

Continue ReadingDiscover your Next Favorite Book … with Novelist!