The Brodart book lending machine featured on CNN

An interesting article on CNN on creative new vending machines.  The Brodart book machine is featured.  Califa has pricing, so let us know if you want a quote!


http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/smallbusiness/1109/gallery.innovation_vending_machine/?source=cnn_bin&hpt=hp_bn5

Fall AWE Early Literacy Station special

We're happy to let you know that the group order for the AWE Early Literacy Stations will be from November 1 - December 9 this year.  You can find a pdf with complete pricing information and contacts here: http://www.califa.org/uploadfiles/awefall11.pdf

If you remember, twice a year we aggregate orders of this popular product so that everyone gets the best possible price.  We've only not reached the 50+ price point twice in the 5 years we've been doing this, so it's a good time to take advantage of the price breaks.

Potential New Vendor: Lynda.com

We are exploring working with Lynda.com, a company that provides computer and software training videos.  They are only beginning to enter the library market, and this would be one of their first statewide consortial agreements (though they do work with the Massachusetts Library System to provide training for all staff: http://www.masslibsystem.org/continuing-education/lynda/)

Below is an email from Craig at Lynda.com, explaining their offerings and giving the dates for two upcoming webinars.  I am trying to gauge the interest from our members right now, to see if this is something that our members want.  Right now they only offer access to their videos from inside the libraries, but they are realizing that they will have to move to remote access at some point, and are figuring that part of it out.  In the meantime, is this something that would appeal to you as a member?  Please let me know so I can count your interest when we begin negotiating (you aren't committing to anything by showing interest).

Also, please note that if you read this and decide it's really awesome, and you want to move forward right away, if you call them direct, you won't get a discount.  You will need to order through us to get the best price.  Email me with your interest.

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It’s not easy for a library to keep in front of the latest technology trends. lynda.com alleviates this challenge by providing cost effective tools to keep staff and patrons up to date on the skills they need to be successful.
With over 1,100 video tutorials catering to all different learning levels, our content range and quality are what make lynda.com the industry leader in online software training.

We deliver 2-7 minute, HD-quality, task specific videos from recognized experts, and we have seen success in increased adoption, user satisfaction and proficiency in some of today's most commonly used and often under utilized software applications.

lynda.com highlights:
    1. Over 1,100 courses with new courses added weekly, including Microsoft, Adobe, Apple, Google and much more.
    2. Highly integrated courses for those going through Microsoft Office migrations with access to lynda.com content directly from the MS Office Ribbon.
    3. No re-purchasing of training for mixed software environments.
    4. Unique training methodology designed for to meet the specific needs of the just-in-time learning.
    5. Solutions that support organization wide initiatives or those within specific departments.
I want to introduce lynda.com, and provide you with the opportunity to learn more. Please join us at an upcoming webinar to learn more about the lynda.com Online Training Library®:

            Wednesday, September 28, at 10am PDT

                                     or

            Wednesday, October 5, at 10am PDT

RSVP for your preferred session by sending me an email at cborchardt@lynda.com, and I will respond with the webinar details.

Or, please explore our library of content with a complimentary trial. No obligation or additional information is required. Just send me an email (cborchardt@lynda.com) and I will set up the trial for you and your team.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Craig

Craig Borchardt

Government Training Solutions Advisor

cborchardt@lynda.com

888-335-9632 x115

805-477-3963 - Direct

New Califa Vendor - FilmIdeas

We are happy to be starting work with Film Ideas, a company that produces streaming videos on financial literacy.  A trial is available at our website - califa.org -->members -->internal documents (log in with your Califa login/pw - email me if you need it).  All our current trial information is there.

Here's a description of the product - I look forward to any feedback you might have.  Also, if you want a quote, let me know.

FI Channels is a sister company of Film Ideas, Inc., located in Wheeling, IL.  Film Ideas has been serving education and other non-theatrical markets beyond 30 years with quality content and engaging resources. 

The FI Channels subscription service version 1.0 incorporates the concept of an internet based streaming service aligned to a continuum of market channels.  As a subscriber, you can expect total satisfaction with our content and service. 

Our goal at FI Channels Streaming Service is to offer content that is enlightening, engaging and engrossing, delivered and navigated with just a click of the mouse on your desktop for sharing and projecting. As an additional option, the well focused content is available on chaptered DVD's for enhanced circulation or flexible check-out.

Mango Languages iPhone app

Mango Languages has a new iPhone app.  Information from their press release is below.  If you'd like a Mango quote, just let me know.

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The free application was designed for the iPhone and iPod Touch but also works with the iPad.  It offers the same functionality as Mango’s online self-study language learning software. Once installed, the program does not require Internet access, patrons just download what they need when they need it.

The iPhone application is available to all libraries in Mango’s growing network for free.  This means almost 90 million people throughout the United States and Canada can now take Mango on the road, making the product even more valuable as users can learn when and where they want to. The product’s tagline, “Mango now goes where you go”, conveys that message.

Mango includes 49 courses, 15 of which are English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.  Created to provide the conversation skills that a user needs to successfully communicate and engage with the local population, Mango Languages also provides an understanding of the new language and culture.

The lessons are presented with an appreciation for cultural nuance and real-world application that goes beyond teaching vocabulary and pronunciation to integrate components of grammar and culture. The Mango Intuitive Language Construction Methodology teaches actual conversation, breaking down complex conversational elements with a highly interactive interface that enables the user to build important connections between previous lessons.

            Since its founding in 2007, Mango Languages has grown to become one of the world's leading providers of language learning products. That growth will continue throughout 2011, as the company plans to enrich content and introduce several new products, languages and features, each of which will target a specific user profile to meet that user's specific language needs – the ultimate goal being to learn a language.

Career Cruising Trial

We are happy to let you know that we're looking at working with Career Cruising, and have a trial available of their product.  Several of you saw them at the Vendor Fair and encouraged us to move forward with them.  Feel free to check out the trial and send me any feedback you might have.

To access the trial, go to the Califa site, then click on Members, then Internal Documents.  You will need to log in at this point - email me if you need your Califa login and password.  All of our trials are there on that Members Only page.

You can read the Library Journal review about them here.