Time for Learning

No time for anything else, but look at this: http://chronicle.com/blogs/innovations/learning-takes-time/33717

Kansas Notable Books

One of the most intriguing projects of the Kansas Center for the Book is the Notable Books List and awards.

The Kansas Notable Books List is the annual recognition of 15 outstanding titles by Kansas authors or about Kansas. It is the only honor for Kansas books by Kansans, highlighting our lively contemporary writing community and encouraging readers to enjoy some of the best writing of the authors among us.

We have all but 8 of the titles, listed in alphabetical order below, and those 8 are on order today. Go here for a summary of each.

Mango Languages

The State Library of Kansas Announces the Addition of Mango Languages
-- A Free and Fun New Way for Kansas to Learn New Languages

Topeka, KS, July, 19, 2012 — The State Library of Kansas is pleased to announce that beginning August 1st, it will offer the Mango Languages online language-learning system to the state of Kansas.

Learning a new language with Mango Languages is made available to all Kansas library patrons, at no charge, by the State Library of Kansas and offers a fast and convenient solution for our state’s increasing language-learning needs. Each lesson combines real life situations and audio from native speakers with simple, clear instructions. The courses are presented with an appreciation for cultural nuance and real-world application that integrates components of vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar and culture. Users learn actual conversation, breaking down complex linguistic elements within an audio-visual framework that draws important connections and builds on information they have already learned.

Mango will be available in two versions per language selected. One is Mango Complete, a 100-lesson course that is designed to provide a deep understanding of a language and its culture. The second is Mango Basic, which teaches everyday greetings, goodbyes and helpful phrases in a short period of time and is designed to appeal to a beginner in a new language. There are more than 40 foreign language courses available and 16 English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.

"We are thrilled to add Mango Languages to our new list of databases launching August 1st." said State Librarian Jo Budler. "Kansans want to learn a second language for business, travel, or just because they think it would be interesting. No matter the reason, Mango makes learning a language fun and we hope the state takes full advantage of one of our newest investments towards enhancing Kansas."

For a full list of all the databases included in the packages the State Library will offer statewide as of August 1, 2012, visit http://www.kslib.info/librarians/databases-fy2013.html.

Founded in 2007, Mango Languages is recognized as a leading provider of online language learning services to libraries, government agencies, corporations and the general public. Designed by a team of linguists, teachers, software developers, human interface specialists, writers, voice talents and designers, the company’s award-winning language learning system has drawn acclaim from prominent national and international reference groups, educational resources, Web organizations and travel guides. For more information, visit www.mangolanguages.com.


For more information, contact:

Candace LeDuc, 785-291-3230

Many Thanks,

Candace LeDuc
Communications Coordinator
State Library of Kansas
300 SW 10th Street
Room 169W
Topeka, Kansas 66612
(785) 291-3230

Yay Libraries!!

http://www.qwantz.com/index.php?comic=2243

Creating Learning spaces

We're getting KI's new award-winning Learn2™ Mobile seating for the Library Classroom. This uniquely versatile seat and tablet combination personalizes the learning experience for lefties or righties, for those drinking coffee from Library Latte, and for our instructor, Judy Bastin. At this year's NeoCon, KI was recognized with a Best of NeoCon Gold award for Learn2™ in the Education Solutions category. They look beautiful and work well!

Jacob, one of the Facilities student workers here on campus, at work on the wall that will highlight the smart board in the classroom.

To our faithful users this summer, a tribute...

STILL LIFE
Grazing in the Stacks of Academe
By BEN RATLIFF

A writer finds refuge from the heat, and from the world, in the stacks of Butler Library at Columbia University.

You're welcome to come to Butler Community College library in El Dorado, KS, for the same comforts...

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/27/arts/butler-library-at-columbia-is-a-haven-for-body-and-mind.html?smid=pl-share

A Winner Reads

From my good friends at Shelf Awareness:

NBA Champion LeBron James Was 'Reading a Little Bit More'





Maybe it was the secret to his success.

"For me, it's relaxing honestly. You spend so much preparation for the games, sometimes you just need to get away from it for a little bit. The reading has helped me get away from the game a little bit, and I'm able to zero in once I'm done and get ready for the games.... I wanted to try something new in this postseason honestly. I'm not watching much TV so I'm reading a little bit more.... People have seen me walking around with [books and] they've been given lists of books to read."

--LeBron James, whose Miami Heat team won the NBA Championship last night.

USA Today reported that since the playoffs began, James had read West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life; The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream; The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference; and, most recently, Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games trilogy and Jay-Z's Decoded.

I'm going to pick up The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream, but we have all the rest of these winning reads here at the library for you this summer.