Free Resources from Gale Cengage During March for Women's History Month

Get to know the women who've changed our world....

Resources abound on this Gale database dealing with women's history that is free during the month of March to celebrate WHM. Find activities, biographies, featured titles, links, quizzes, and a timeline that goes to 2008. Also included is a special resource--Women's Rights on Trial, a source that contains 101 key trials of historical importance to American women since the settlement of the colonies. Find new biographies of the women on the campaign trail in 2008, as well as new biographies of the women who took the 2009 National Women's History Project honors. Check back each week for a new women's history quiz. All in all, a great resource for students and teachers, check out Women's History Month so you're ready for those March assignments.

Remote Access Now Available for Several Databases

Long-awaited remote access is now available for PLYMC patrons to several of our proprietary databases. American National Biography, Salem Health, Salem History and World Vital Records can now be accessed from the comfort of home. If you haven't checked out these databases yet, now is the time to do so--there is great information in them to recommend to your patrons.

World Book Adds Hispanica Saber Database

In addition to the regular Spanish version of the World Book Encyclopedia--World Book Spanish Edition-- that is intended for a younger audience, WB has now released Hispanica Saber a Spanish resource for older grades and adults. World Book Hispanica Saber is a comprehensive Spanish-language encyclopedia designed for native Spanish speakers, bilingual students and ESL/ELL program participants. It includes over 100,000 articles, more than 8,500 images and maps, and nearly 1,000 videos, animations, sounds and interactive media.

New Version of Learning Express starts February 9th

What's new in LearningExpress Library™ Version 2.0?

Easy-to-use interface:
The key difference between the current version of LearningExpress Library and Version 2.0 is the home page layout and organization. In Version 2.0, courses and tests are organized into intuitive Learning Centers, which group courses, tests, and other related content together in one place. In addition, users will be able to search for content at any time as well as view a list of all available resources on a single page. In Version 2.0, the "My Account" page will be replaced with the "My Center" page. Users will still have access to the same courses, tests, and reports as before. In fact, all current and completed tests stored in the former "My Account" section will now appear in the "My Center" page.

Improved online help and documentation:
In addition to making the new user interface easier to use and fully searchable, Version 2.0 also features enhanced online help. From "Getting Started" tutorials to topic-based help, Version 2.0 guides users through every step.

Just follow this link to view the Sneak Peak.

Free Access to Black History Month database during February

Thomson Gale publisher offers free access to it's Black History Month database each February. This is a wonderful resource that provides biographies, classroom activities, chronologies, literature links and more--for a one-stop shopping approach that students and teachers love. PS--the publisher does the same for Hispanic Heritage Month, Poetry Month and Women's History Month. Check it out at: Gale Cengage Learning Free Resources.

Mango Languages Debuts at Library

Parlez vous Francaise? Sprechen zie Deutsch? ¿Hablas español?


Mango is a foreign language instruction database whose unique teaching method quickly engages you in real conversations between two native speakers. Learners move at their own pace. Your online instructor will take you through every step of the process! Each lesson revisits previously learned material, but you have complete control over your learning experience. Select from nine foreign language courses or three ESL couses to begin learning!

One very neat feature of the database is the translation function. How many times have patrons asked how to say something in a particular language--Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary? Now you can find the answer in a few keystrokes!

CultureGrams gets new look

• CultureGrams, a database in the PLYMC electronic resources collection, recently updated its home page interface and added to both audio and video materials available. The national anthem audio files are now available as MP3s and there are 60 additional video segments as well as more photographs and slideshows.
  
  Here is a list of other recent upgrades:
  


• World Leaders Table: Added to the World and Kids Editions.


• World Edition Addition (added Aug. 2008): Kosovo.


• New Kids Edition Reports: Seven in all: Cambodia, Costa Rica, Lithuania, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Portugal, and Sudan.


• 13 New Themed Slideshows + More Fresh Photos: Check the Slideshow and Photo galleries.


• Seasonal Climate Information: Added to each States and Provinces Edition report.


• Email Function: In response to customer feedback, we have added an email function that allows users to easily email information to themselves or others. In all four editions of CultureGrams (World, Kids, States, and Provinces), users may email a full report using the Email report link on the main page of a country/state/province. Or, they may email a specific section using the Email this section link next to Print this section. These links generate a window in which users can fill in the desired email address and other details.


• Outline Maps: In response to direct requests from educators, CultureGrams now offers outline maps of every country. These blank maps allow students to fill in cities and geographical features on their own, perfect for classroom use and assignments!
  


• Check out this short video (4:00) to see what is available through the CultureGrams database.