|
Library Product News
Byki® Online Library Edition brings fun and effective language
learning to library patrons!
Includes over 70 languages. Recorded Books LLC, in partnership with
Transparent Language, Inc. (Nashua NH), announced the introduction of
Byki® Online Library Edition, a powerful new online language-learning
system designed specifically for use by the patrons of public libraries.
Byki, short for “Before You Know It,” is a rapid learning system employing
spaced interval repetition. The Byki learning method takes users through
a series of simple steps to memorize words and phrases in a new
language, including their meanings and proper pronunciation, in the
shortest possible time. Available for learning over 70 languages,
library patrons are able to access the Byki Online system from inside or
outside of the library, via the web browser on Windows and Mac
computers. Users will have a variety of high quality learning options
that build listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills.
In addition, Byki includes Advanced Pronunciation Analysis to help users
perfect their pronunciation skills. Individual progress tracking and
assessment tests help identify areas for improvement and move users in
the right direction. In addition to Byki Online’s advanced learning
tools, users will have access to an array of online language and
cultural resources including one click access to Facebook and Twitter
language communities as well as Byki language blogs featuring a
collection of articles covering the language and the culture that
surrounds it. Byki Online is designed to be very low maintenance and
Recorded Books and Transparent Language will provide complete technical
service and customer support for librarians and patrons alike.
Details are available by E-mail
bykionline@recordedbooks.com, on the Web at
www.recordedbooks.com, or by
calling 877-828-2833.
TLC expands MARC records database with EF
Sears
The Library Corporation announced that it has
bolstered its already impressive ITS•MARC® database with EF Sears™, a
rich and growing collection of MARC records compiled by EF Library
Services LLC.
EF Sears uses Sears subject headings in a database of
more than 800,000 records. The cataloging includes exhaustive
information that goes well beyond most libraries’ minimum requirements.
Summaries are contained in all records cataloged since 1994, and
Accelerated Reader and Reading Counts! data are included for appropriate
titles.
TLC is offering EF Sears as a premium add-on to
ITS•MARC, one of the world’s largest, most current, and authoritative
cataloging databases. ITS•MARC is designed to integrate seamlessly with
BiblioFile®, TLC’s cataloging software that harnesses the flow of MARC
information and offers powerful data manipulation features, Unicode
editing, local database control, label printing, the Cataloger’s
Reference Shelf, and more.
ITS•MARC is a collection of more than 41 million MARC records from
trusted sources including national libraries, professional cataloging
services, and contributing libraries.
www.tlcdelivers.com.
Accessible Archives Provides Exclusive
Full-Text Access to The Virginia Gazette
Accessible Archives, Inc, a publisher of electronic
full-text searchable
historical databases, has announced that a fully-searchable version of
The Virginia Gazette, 1736–1780, will be added to its online database
collection. The newspaper currently is available in digital format only
as an image file on the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library website at the
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
Published weekly in Williamsburg, VA between 1736 and
1780 The Virginia Gazette contained news covering all of Virginia and
also included information from other colonies, Scotland, England and
additional
countries. The paper appeared in several iterations from a succession of
publishers over the years, the final issue being produced April 8, 1780,
after which the paper was moved to Richmond.
Not all the issues survived. Those available were
assembled and microfilmed in 1950, and a subject index was created at
the same time. This microfilm was the basis for the current image
version. Several
institutions contributed issues for the initial microfilming and are
cooperating in the production of the current project: College of William
and Mary; Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; The Johns Hopkins
University;
Maryland Historical Society; Massachusetts Historical Society; Virginia
Historical Society.
Working from the existing images Accessible Archives©
will create a full-text file in an XML tagged format, the industry
standard. Each located article also will be linked to its corresponding
page image. A number of
additional issues have surfaced since the microfilm reproduction and
Accessible Archives© will create image and text files from these issues
and add them to the database as they become available. The resultant
file will be the most complete and only fully searchable version of The
Virginia Gazette. www.accessible.com.
Alibris Offers Google Checkout to Book,
Music, and Movie Shoppers
Alibris announced that it is now offering Google
Checkout as an alternative checkout method. With more than 100 million
books, CDs, and DVDs, Alibris gives consumers access to an unparalleled
selection of items. Now these shoppers have the added flexibility of
being able to use Google Checkout while purchasing items from the
marketplace's 13,000 independent sellers around the world.
Google Checkout provides a centralized checkout experience for online
shoppers. Customers can finalize their Alibris shopping experience
through Google Checkout, purchasing Alibris items with a single Google
Checkout account. Alibris shoppers may also still check out with an
Alibris account or use the Alibris "guest checkout" option.
The addition of Google Checkout to Alibris is the latest in a series of
improvements at the independent online marketplace. Alibris shoppers
recently were given additional purchasing flexibility with the addition
of PayPal as a payment alternative. And, behind the scenes, Alibris has
been making substantial infrastructure improvements to dramatically
enhance the experience of searching for items and navigating the Alibris
Web sites.
http://library.alibris.com.
TELL ME MORE® Kids wins Bessie Award
Auralog, the innovative world leader of language learning software and
publisher of the TELL ME MORE® suite of programs, is the recipient of a
2009 BESSIE Award. TELL ME MORE® Kids ESL (English as a Second Language)
earned the award in the Early Elementary category.
The Bessie awards target innovative and content-rich programs and
websites which provide parents and teachers with the technology to
foster educational excellence.
TELL ME MORE® Kids ESL was developed with linguists and educators who
specialize in children’s education and language acquisition. What sets
TELL ME MORE® Kids apart from other ESL programs is that it is targeted
to three defined age groups and uses a progressive, skill-based
approach. Utilizing the proven Communicative Approach, the program
focuses on speaking, listening, reading, writing, and comprehension
skills. Each age group has a distinctive theme. Ages 4-7 years start in
The Magic House and begin an adventure throughout a home, guided by
Kaliko the Parrot and Professor Phileas, the program’s helpful mascots
who join kids on their adventures and provide instructions along the
way. Kids progress to The City which is perfect for 7 to 9 year olds,
having them explore streets and neighborhoods. Kids 9-12 years old
journey into The World, continuing to utilize the knowledge and skills
from the previous two levels.
Rich in content, TELL ME MORE® Kids ESL includes 300 hours of learning
with more than 1,200 activities, 3,000 vocabulary words, over 1,000
games in 15 categories, and more than 330 cartoons that keep the
learning and the fun going. Auralog’s advanced speech recognition
technology provides unlimited opportunities to practice speaking and
improve pronunciation. Plus there’s a built-in calendar with 365 words
to reinforce vocabulary building and retention. There’s also a feature
especially for parents called the Learning Center. Designed to give
parents the option of personalizing their children’s lessons at any
point, the Learning Center allows parents to follow each child’s
progress, limit access to certain games and activities, consult and
print out progress reports.
TELL ME MORE® Kids ESL is used worldwide by schools, literacy programs,
homeschool students and parents.
www.tellmemore.com.
Library Resources Group | 7823 Stratford Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814
800.235.9723 | www.LibraryWorks.com
|
info@LibraryWorks.com
FREE SUBSCRIPTION
Submit an article, case study or white paper for publication.
Ask for details
All content © 2009 LRG except as noted. All logos and trademarks are property of their respective owners.
|
|