Category: Events & Activities

 

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 1^st, 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 states 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 1^st.” 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.

Candace LeDuc

Communications Coordinator

State Library of Kansas

300 SW 10th Street

Room 169W

Topeka, Kansas 66612

(785) 291-3230

A small sampling of artwork from the Dream Rocket Project is now on display at our Library. The Dream Rocket Project was launched in 2009 by the International Fiber Collaborative. Artwork with the theme Dare to Dream is being collected to wrap a 365 Saturn V Moon Rocket at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The project is part of the International Fiber Collaborative, which was founded to promote art education and for individuals around the globe to find a common purpose. Artwork has been submitted from a myriad of sources, including school children, scout troops, art guilds and more. A sampling of this artwork is on display through the month of April. It is all very interesting to look at. We hope you stop by and enjoy it. To learn more about the artwork and project you can visit www.thedreamrocket.com

It is not too late for you to get involved either!  Look for the How to Participate tab on their website or pick up a pamphlet while you are in the library.  The ‘Dare to Dream’ themes include Health, Community, Conservation, Science, Technology, Space, Peace, Freedom, Equality and Education.

All programs begin @ 10:30

** Except July 17, Operation Wildlife!**

this is a change from what we originally posted!!

 

Tues. June 5~Cynthia Zeisman *Come dressed as your favorite prince, princess,

or Disney movie character!

Tues. June 12~Flying Debris *Laugh yourself silly with comedy, clowns and jugglers!

Tues. June 19~Spinmaster Brett Dellinger  * Yoyos galore!  @ 1:30 PM

Tues. June 26~Jay & Leslie’s Laughing Matters* new twist on classic bedtime stories”wacky humor!

  Tues. July 3~JoHo     *It’s a camping trip with fishing tales, not so scary boogie man and a tent mishap.

  Tues. July 10~ Up, Up and Away  *Learn about hot air balloons and hovercrafts and more! with Mad Science of Greater Kansas City.

  Tues. July 17~Operation Wildlife

*There will be live  owls, hawks and falcons!  **@1:30 PM

 

 

The Tuesday Night Book club meets the 3rd, you guessed it! Tuesday evening each month, January thru October. This group reads a variety of genre throughout the year. If you are interested in joining us, call the library  and we will get a book or audio book for you. Be ready for some lively discussions and lots of  fun.

January  Our Boys by Joe Drape   the 2012 Kansas Reads book

February Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot   Black History Month

MarchGirl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson  Fiction

April  Firefly Lane by Kristen Hannah  Fiction

May   Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers   a Children’s Classic

June  The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton   Fiction

July  Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See   Fiction

August  Esther’s Pillow  by Marlin Fitzwater Fiction

September  A Daughter’s Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick   Fiction based on a true story

October  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins  a very popular Young Adult book

 

 

The second Wednesday of each month you will find a group of book lovers gathered at the Cornerstone Coffee Haus discussing their latest read. The Books & Brew Book Club reads a mystery each month, some prefer to listen to the book on CDs  instead. They all receive the same book and meet to discuss it over the beverage and snack of their choice. Does this sound like something you would like to participate in? If you would like more information, give us a call and we will get you started.

2012 READING LIST:

January  One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

February  Open Season by C.J. Box

March  Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs

April  The Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry

May  Desert Heat by J.A, Jance

June  McNally’s Secret by Lawrence Sanders

July  “A” is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

August  Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben

September   The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritson

October  Primary Justice by William Barnhardt

November  The Body Farm by Patricia Cornwell

December  Skinny Dip by Carl Hiasson

 

 

The Quilt Lovers Guild of Seneca will be holding a quilt show in the library community room Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14. The guild quilt show correlates with the library’s overall summer reading nighttime theme and especially the adult summer reading theme Between the Covers. Guild members will be showing quilts from their personal collections. Anyone who attends the quilt show can be entered into a drawing for a specially made quilt based on the beloved childrens book Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. The donated quilt was inspired by the nighttime theme also. Anyone visiting the quilt show is invited to stop inside the library and view the challenge quilts made by the guild also. The nine challenge quilts were all based on the nighttime theme. Hours for the quilt show will be, Friday, July 13 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 14, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We hope to see many visitors for the quilt show.

The Quilt Lover’s Guild of Seneca brought in their challenge quilts for display at the library. Their theme goes along with the night time theme of the Summer Reading program this year. There are pictures below, but be sure to stop in to see them for yourself.  There may be more coming, so be sure to come back and check.

 

Lacey Dalinghaus is the winner of the Eric Carle quilt and board books!!

Lacey, her two year old and infant sons will enjoy the quilt and book for years to come!

Thank you to everyone who supported the library by taking a chance or making a donation! Your generosity is truly appreciated!