Archive for the ‘Press releases’ Category

The State Library of Kansas Announces the Addition of Mango Languages

Thursday, July 19th, 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.

2012 Kansas Notable Books List Revealed

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

TOPEKA – State Librarian Joanne Budler today announced the selections for the Kansas Notable Book List for 2012. The best 15 books published in 2011 by Kansas authors or about Kansas include fiction, nonfiction, adult and young adult books.

“After much consideration, we are very excited to release the 2012 Kansas Notable Books List,” said State Librarian Budler. “These titles are sure to inspire, enrich and entertain readers beyond our state, and we encourage Kansans to access these titles through their local library.”

The Kansas Notable Book List, a project of the Kansas Center for the Book (KCFB) at the State Library of Kansas, is an annual selection of 15 titles written by Kansans or about Kansas and published in the previous year. A Kansas Notable Books Committee of the KCFB identifies the titles and forwards a list to the State Librarian for final decision. This year’s Kansas Notable Books selection committee included representatives from academia, public and academic libraries, a media representative, and a previous honoree/author. This is the seventh Kansas Notable Book List compiled by KCFB.

The presentation of medals will be made during the Kansas Book Festival, September 15 at the Kansas History Museum in Topeka. The authors will also be honored during the year at various literary events throughout the state.

The Kansas Center for the Book is a state affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. As a program of the State Library of Kansas since 2005, the Center’s role is to promote Kansas books, authors, libraries, booksellers, publishers, and the book community, and to foster awareness of literacy and the literary heritage of the state. For a list of the 2012 selections, visit http://www.kcfb.info/projects/kansas-notable-books.html

Blue Skyways Gets a Makeover!

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

On December 1, Blue Skyways – one of the orignal State Library websites in the country – will unveil its new look.  Skyways has been reorganized and re-focused to increase use by the general public.  A joint project of the State Library of Kansas and KU Medical Center, the site originally debuted in late 1995.  It has received numerous awards and recognitions, and generates millions of hits each year.

Joshua Motsinger, Lead Web Developer at KUMC for Blue Skyways, has worked with State Library staff during 2009 to create new graphics and site organization.  In addition, a new section has been added.  “Heritage” offers links to Kansas history, genealogy, Kansas collections, photos, historical markers, museums, and poetry. 

A search box has been added to the front page of Blue Skyways to allow direct access to databases, encyclopedias, magazine articles and books for Kansas residents. 

The State Library will host a press conference at the Capitol building on December 1 at 1:30 p.m.  For more information contact  Patti Butcher at pattib@kslib.info or Janie Rutherford, Communications Director, at janier@kslib.info.

Do you wiggle?

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

Do you wiggle when you read? When you wiggle with preschoolers, do they wiggle in their seats?

The 2009 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers committee and the SLK staff working with the statewide one-book/one-state reading project for the very young certainly hope so! During November 15-21, 2009 (the week before Thanksgiving), the Kansas Center for the Book will present the fifth annual Kansas Reads to Preschoolers…About Fitness!, featuring Wiggle by Doreen Cronin, in locations all across the state.

Plans are being laid for promotion leading up to, and events during, the preschooler week. This year’s theme is fitness, and a select committee of professionals in a variety of fields and from all parts of Kansas narrowed a field of about three dozen titles down to four, which were submitted last spring to State Librarian Christie Brandau. From these four, she selected Wiggle. Work on 2009 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers has progressed since then.

Wiggle was written by New York author Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Scott Menchin. It was published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers in 2005. Since then, Cronin, Menchin and their publisher have produced a companion book, Bounce.  A new title in the same vein, Stretch, is expected in September 2009. All three books should work very well together in events with children ages 2-4.

Sponsors who help with funding, and participate, include the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC), the Kansas Public Health Association (KPHA), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and the Johnson County Health Department. Partners who will join in the promotion are the Kansas Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (KAACCRA), the Kansas Pediatric Foundation and Healthy Kids Challenge. Many joined the Kansas Center for the Book in this effort because of the dual attractions of the fitness theme, which they promote, and the importance of early literacy among children.

Doreen Cronin has been invited to come to Kansas and plans are under way for events at local libraries and through online video and audio programming to reach across the state. A website is being built to provide information, a toolkit, read-alikes, promotional materials and more. Wiggle is being recorded and will be made available through the Kansas Talking Books Service in Emporia, and the Kansas Audio-Reader Network has been approached to record and broadcast it. Requests have been made to Governor Mark Parkinson to sign a proclamation, and to his wife to read in a selected location. Sponsors and partners across the state are laying plans to promote in their own publications and participate during the preschooler week in a variety of ways.

The Kansas Center for the Book has a limited number of promotional copies of Wiggle available at a 50% discount. If you are interested in more information or how you can participate, contact KCFB at kcfb@kslib.info or 800-432-3919. Wiggle with us during 2009 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers! 

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