KDL Blog ‘Research & Computer Tips’ Category

Yes, We’re Open!

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

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It’s another snow day for lots of kids in the area,
but KDL branches remain OPEN!
All programs will take place as scheduled.

Please drive carefully if you choose to visit us today.


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KDL Closing at 5:00 PM Tuesday, Jan. 28

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

Due to severe weather and travel conditions, KDL branches will close at 5:00 PM today (Tuesday, January 28). All evening programs are cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

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KDL Closing at 5:00 PM Monday, Jan. 27

Monday, January 27th, 2014

Due to severe weather and travel conditions, KDL branches will close at 5:00 PM today (Monday, January 27). All evening programs are cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.


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Updates to Mango Languages

Thursday, January 23rd, 2014

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If “learn a new language” was one of your New Year’s resolutions, now is a great time to check out Mango Languages, one of the awesome resources offered by KDL. Mango is FREE to all KDL cardholders, and is an easy, effective way to learn to speak a foreign language. Courses are currently available in 60 foreign languages and 17 English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.

Mango has recently launched Mango Connect, a makeover of their user portal that will make it easier for language learners to access all the language-learning products available to them and keep track of their progress. Here are the details:

  • The new dashboard is organized so that users simply select a language from the list and can then see all the products available to them in that language — traditional language courses (“Mango Conversations”), foreign language movies from Mango Premiere, and children’s courses from Little Pim (coming soon to KDL!)

    Find a Conversation       Mango Spanish 

  • The old Basic and Complete 2.0 courses have been consolidated into a single product now called Mango Conversations. Any remaining Complete 1.0 courses have been “retired,” but access to the “classic portal” containing these courses will still be available until June 2, so users will have plenty of time to finish the course. 
  • Mango has also released new placement tests for 17 of their most popular languages, so those who need to make the switch from the old 1.0 courses to the new Mango Conversations (or those of us who may have studied a language in high school but have since forgotten most of it…) can easily determine where they should start. The link to the placement test is located on the Welcome Screen for those languages:

    Mango Placement Test 
  • Users can now create a custom profile page which stores their picture, study history and preferred language settings:

    Mango Profile

  • In addition to the existing iOS and Android apps, Mango now has a mobile app available for Kindle and NOOK devices as well.

If you’re a current user of Mango Languages and have any questions about the change to the new portal, you can contact Mango’s Customer Service at 1-877-MANGO-11 or support@mangolanugagues.com. And if you haven’t used it before, watch the video below to see Mango Languages in action, then start learning a new language today!

 


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Love eBooks? Help Us Improve Our Service

Thursday, January 16th, 2014

survey button green LGDo you download eBooks and eAudiobooks from KDL? Why? Why not? We want to hear from you!

KDL is one of 10 library systems in the U.S. trying to improve our cardholders’ access to eBooks and eAudiobooks. Our ultimate plan: to eliminate barriers to digital collections so this huge happy family of library-loving peeps continues to grow.

Your participation in this brief survey will help us understand how we can do better.
(*Note: We are aware that there are errors in the Library Simplified Survey. This survey was not generated by KDL. We do hope that you complete the survey, as we anticipate the resulting data will be of value in improving our ability to provide access to digital media).

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KDL Closed Monday, January 20

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

All Kent District Library branches will be closed on Monday, January 20 for an All Staff professional development day. While we regret any temporary inconvenience this may cause, KDL’s commitment to staff training is one of the reasons we are able to provide you with such great service. Please pardon our absence, and we’ll all be back on Tuesday, January 21!

 

 


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New Zinio Magazines Available

Friday, January 10th, 2014

Zinio_logo

Our Zinio digital magazine service now has even more of your favorite titles! We’ve added subscriptions to the following new magazines that you can download and enjoy for FREE on your computer or mobile device:

  • Backpacker
  • The Beer Connoisseur Magazine
  • Bicycling
  • Country Gardens
  • Diabetic Living
  • Digital Photo Pro
  • Discover
  • Do It Yourself
  • Gluten-Free Living
  • Guideposts
  • Guitar Player
  • House Beautiful
  • Horse & Rider
  • Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
  • Natural Health
  • OK! Magazine
  • Outdoor Life
  • Poets & Writers Magazine
  • Prevention
  • Publishers Weekly
  • Traditional Home
  • Utne Reader
  • VegNews Magazine
  • Woodworker’s Journal
  • The Writer
  • Yoga Journal

 

               Discover     Do It Yourself     House Beautiful

               OK! Magazine     Poets & Writers     Prevention

Click here to view a complete list of all titles offered through Zinio.

Happy Downloading!

 


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Free Computer & Technology Classes

Tuesday, January 7th, 2014

Winter Computer Class BrochureWhether you’re a computer novice or looking to update your skills, KDL’s free computer classes can help you learn something new! Registration opens today for our February classes:

  • Digital Photos: Creating Digital Photo Movies
  • Digital Photos: Online Photo Editing Fun
  • Digital Photos: Online Photo Sharing, Saving and Ordering
  • Gadgets: B.Y.O. eReader & Tablet Users Group
    (pre-registration not required)
  • Internet: Create Your Own Website or Blog
  • Internet: Email Basics
  • Internet: Facebook Basics
  • Internet: Online Genealogy Research I & II
  • Internet: Online Resources for Book Lovers
  • Internet: Online Security
  • Internet: Parents’ Tips for Homework Help
  • Microsoft Excel Basics I, II & III
  • Microsoft Office Workshop
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Basics
  • Microsoft Word Basics I, II & III
  • Career Transitions Workshop: Developing Your Personal Brand (pre-registration not required)
  • Career Transitions Workshop: Communicating Your Brand (pre-registration not required)
  • Career Transitions Workshop: Networking Strategies (pre-registration not required)
  • Career Transitions Workshop: LinkedIn Boot Camp
    (pre-registration not required if you provide your own laptop)
  • Career Transitions Workshop: Behavioral Interviewing & Effective Negotiating Strategies
    (pre-registration not required)
  • Speak to a Geek (pre-registration not required)

For class descriptions and schedule, please see our brochure or search our events calendar.

Unless otherwise noted, pre-registration is required and will begin the month before the scheduled classes on the first Monday of each month for KDL cardholders and the second Monday for non-KDL cardholders (if space is still available):

  • February classes: Registration begins Monday, January 6 for KDL cardholders
    (Monday, January 13 for non-KDL cardholders)

To register, please call 616-784-2007.


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KDL Open 1:00 – 5:00 PM Tues., Jan. 7

Monday, January 6th, 2014

Due to the ongoing treacherous weather conditions, KDL will be open reduced hours on Tuesday, January 7. All branches and the Service Center will be open from 1:00 – 5:00 PM. All morning and evening programs are cancelled for the day. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 


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KDL CLOSED Monday, January 6

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Due to extreme weather conditions, all Kent District Library branches and the Service Center will be CLOSED on Monday, January 6. We apologize for any inconvenience and will resume normal business hours as the weather permits. Fines on items due Monday will be waived.

 


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