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Global Records from AncestryLibrary

The available collections from AncestryLibrary are constantly growing. There are more than 11,600+ collections featuring billions of records to explore!

But did you know that there are now more global records than ever before? Users can access records from countries all over the world – from Indonesia to France to New Zealand and so many more.

For example, one of the most recently added collections is the Births, Marriages, and Deaths 1539-1893 from Haute Garonne, France. This collection, all in French, offers full digitized records from the region.

Tables Alphabetiques des Naissances, Mariages & Deces por l’an 1899 (Alphabetical Tables of Births, Marriages & Deaths for the Year 1899)

In fact, many records collections contain untranslated, primary source documents in their original languages – preserving content along with context.

Users have many ways to search and browse these collections. They even have the ability to broadly search by geographic region through an interactive map under the advanced search options. Maybe they know they have family in a small town in France, but using the map, they can protentially see documents from nearby towns which may expand their search.

Collections include not only vital records (birth/marriage/death) but also digitized reference & history books, directories, land records and more.

This ever growing resource is a treasure trove for genealogists, researchers, scholars and anyone who is even a little curious!

– Richelle, Sewickley Public Library

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RAD Pass: Summer Staycation

Summer is almost here, which means graduation season and the end of the school year. If your library is like mine, this is when the phone starts ringing with questions like: “What’s this RAD Pass thing?” 

Here’s what you need to know to help your patrons: 

What is RAD Pass? 

RAD Pass (found at radpass.org) offers free and discounted tickets to a variety of regional attractions, thanks to support from the Allegheny Regional Asset District. It’s available to any Allegheny County resident with a valid library card and PIN. 

How Does It Work? 

Patrons can log in using their card number and PIN. Once logged in, they’ll see a list of available attractions. Venues and tickets change periodically, so encourage patrons to check back often. 

If tickets are available for an attraction, a message on the right side will say “Show first available offer.” If not, it will display “All reservations have been reserved at this time.” 

To reserve a pass, click “Show first available offer.” The pass details and requirements (e.g., mobile or printed format) will be listed. If the patron prefers a different date than the default, they can scroll to the bottom and click “Reserve a different date” to choose from the available options. 

Important Notes for Patrons: 

  • Patrons may only reserve a pass to the same attraction once per calendar year.
  • Each library card may hold up to two active reservations at a time. Once the date of the earliest reservation passes, a new reservation can be made.
  • Ticket availability refreshes often, so checking back regularly is a good idea.

-Erin, Bridgeville Public Library

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Libby Hold Updates Galore

Libby has made some new changes to help clarify what is going on with your holds – and that is great news!

You will now be able to see when a hold is expired or weeded from the collection and give you the option to clean up that hold. Examples of what that will look like are shown below.

The “Clean up hold?” option in red allows you to quickly cancel and clean away those holds.

The next great hold related news is related to those of us who have more than one library card listed on our Libby app. If you have more than one card with more than one library system this one is for you!

Now when you borrow a book but you have it on hold on another card with another system Libby provides the option to cancel that other hold. This is great news as it could free up space on the wait list for other patrons. Now we are all being a part of the solution and isn’t that a great feeling.

We know you like a tidy bookshelf (and hold shelf) just as much as we do so use these helpful new additions to Libby whenever you come across them!

Happy Reading,

~Adrianne, Northland Library

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🌍 Discover Little Pim: Language Learning for Young Minds

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Are you looking for a fun, engaging, and educational tool to recommend to families with young children? Let us introduce you to Little Pim, the award-winning language learning resource designed specifically for kids!

What is Little Pim?
Little Pim is an interactive database that introduces children ages 0–6 to foreign languages through short, themed videos. With its playful panda mascot and engaging visuals, Little Pim makes learning a new language both fun and effective. It’s perfect for early learners and families looking to incorporate language skills into daily life.

Languages Available:
Little Pim currently offers instruction in 12 languages, including:

  • Spanish
  • French
  • Mandarin Chinese
  • German
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Arabic
  • Russian
  • Hebrew
  • English ESL
  • and more!

Why We Love It:
✔ Kid-Friendly Format – Each video is just 5 minutes long, making it ideal for short attention spans.
✔ Research-Based – Developed using the Entertainment Immersion Method®, Little Pim helps children retain new vocabulary naturally.
✔ No Ads, No Worries – A safe, ad-free space for kids to explore languages.
✔ Parent-Friendly – Videos are organized by everyday themes like “eating,” “playtime,” and “bedtime,” helping families incorporate learning into their routines.

How to Access:
Little Pim is available for free with your library card via https://learn.mangolanguages.com/explore/littlepim. Patrons can stream content from any device with an internet connection.

Great for Outreach and Storytimes
Little Pim can also be a great tool for children’s librarians during bilingual storytimes or early literacy programming. Consider highlighting it during cultural events, language weeks, or in partnership with schools.

Staff Tip:
If you’re helping a patron who’s looking for screen-time alternatives or ways to support bilingual households, suggest they check out Little Pim. It’s an accessible starting point for kids to become curious about other cultures and languages—right from home.

Gabi B. Robinson LIbrary

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