Monday, July 25, 2011

Gale Powerspeak Languages discount

We are happy to announce a new discount on Powerspeak Languages from Gale.  Full description and trial links are below. 

They will be having two webinars - one on July 28 at 10:30am and one on August 9 at 1pm.  To RSVP for these, please email me with your name, library name and email address in the body of the message.

Powerspeak Languages is a new online language learning course that uses a variety of methods to engage learners.  Ten languages are available covering over 97% of the language requests public libraries receive across the country. The offerings are Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Russian for native English speakers.  And for ESL library patrons the resource offers ESL – Spanish and ESL-Mandarin.
Beyond simple flashcards, each course uses a variety of multi-sensory activities to take full advantage of the brain’s ability to acquire language. Designed specifically for use by the diverse audience of library users, the courses include a combination of scored online activities, exercises, lessons and games.
Course lessons are bound together with rich graphics, audio, video, music and an intuitive way to check answers and track progress. Learners find a friendly structure that introduces vocabulary and are challenged to practice speaking and writing in a variety of interactive modules designed to simulate real conversations with native speakers.
Powerspeak Languages is the only language learning resource that uses a “virtual coach” – a knowledgeable, engaging speaker whose guidance explain the concepts for each lesson, offer encouragement and sharing interesting cultural notes about the language and its speakers.
Here is a Powerspeak Languages Trial Welcome Message for our  California Public Library Partners:https://www.brainshark.com/gale/vu?pi=zGfzOF5vez25pYz0

To start your trial Powerspeak Languages and request a quote for your library, just click on
http://galesites.com/trial/calilibs

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Books 24x7 trial

Some of our libraries have been considering the IT Pro collection from Books 24x7, and  I have set up a trial for all of our members.  Trial login information is on our trials page, which is califa.org --> members --> Internal Documents (at this point you will need to log in with your Califa username/pw - email me if you need it).  All of our trials are listed there.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

New Credo Reference Webinars

Credo Reference will be hosting webinars for non-subscribers throughout the month of July.  Check the Califa calendar for times and registration information.

They have also just launched a second set of free educational seminars, through their Libraries Thriving Initiative. They are offering three interesting seminars over the next several weeks, I encourage you to learn more at http://www.librariesthriving.org

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Little Pim from Mango

We are happy to announce that we now have pricing for Little Pim, through Mango Languages.
If you are interested in offering language learning to children, take a look at the trial. We have a trial available on our website - www.califa.org -->Members-->Internal Documents (at this point you will need to log in with your Califa login/pw. If you need it, let me know). The trial is listed on that members only page.
The price of Little Pim is a percentage of what your price for Mango Languages is. If you'd like a quote, email me.
Thanks!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

More on the 3M Cloud Library

Thanks to Jeff Scott, who passed along this interview on the 3M Cloud Library:
http://connectpro98649235.adobeconnect.com/p7jk6ftrwt6/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal

3M Cloud Library Invitation

3M is hosting a webinar on their new Cloud Library, the ebook service that is entirely based online so patrons do not need to download any software to their devices.

To register, pick the time below that works for you, and RSVP to: librarysystems1@mmm.com
and please put the date and time in the email.

Thursday July 7th - 2-3 Pacific Time (4-5 Central Time)
Tuesday July 12th - 9am-10am Pacific Time (11-12 Central Time)
Thursday July 14 - 2-3 Pacific Time (4-5 Central Time).