Speak Pirate and Other Learning Tools

 

1-24-2025

The library staff meets every other month to update everyone on programming, policy changes, new procedures, etc. This month we explored a new online service for language acquisition called Mango Language. Offering 71 languages including American Sign Language, Mango offers two interfaces. The regular one for the majority of users and Little Pim for 0-5 year olds.

Following a link from our website, patrons create their individual accounts, select a language and begin learning. Miss Lisa has begun Italian in preparation for an upcoming vacation. She has learned essential phrases such as asking for a restroom as well as some cultural information. With only 5-10 minutes available for the staff’s exploration before the meeting ended and the library opened, we selected Pirate.

Yes, Pirate is one of the 71 languages and a great way to learn how to use the program. The first lesson on Ship Talk list Conversational and Grammar Goals such as Call Someone Names (not nice, but Pirates are not known for being so) and Use Me as a Possessive. Part of the lesson records the user repeating a sentence or phrase and playing it back with the original for comparison.

I did well with, “Blow me down, the ship’s becalmed!” That translates into “Oh my gosh, the ship isn’t moving!” for those of you less fluent in Pirate.

This language tool replaces Transparent Language which expires on January 31^st and is available from our website or through an app.

Less irreverent, but possible as entertaining, Prairie Lakes Library System once again received a MasterClass grant of 1,000 seats. Patrons may register for a seat which is good for 12 months and take classes. There are classes for career development and leadership skills, cultivating a healthy and active lifestyle. The class that most interests me is Matthew Walker, a neuroscience professor, whose class “Teaches the Science of Better Sleep.”

(Since I wrote this and visited the MasterClass website, Facebook is sending me adds for Halle Berry's class on menopause, so there's that class too.)

Sign up information is available for both services from our website on the Online Courses page.

The Friends of the East Troy Lions Public Library had their first general meeting for 2025 this past week. This is the meeting during which I try to be my most charming as it is when I present that year’s wish list. After a very successful play fundraiser, I knew that money was there for a big ask. As always, the Friends were more than generous. This week I’ll work on placing orders. Next week, I’ll reveal their generosity.

Reading Now: The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore and  Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron

Listening to Now: Echoes on the Fens by Joy Ellis (the latest Nikki Galena just came out on audio at New Year's)

MasterClass Grant

 

2-23-2024

Today is my two-year anniversary as Library Director and more than second birthday. Soon after I started, a gentleman donated several brown paper bags of DVDs from MasterClasses he had purchased. Memory tells me most were science related, though I seem to remember thinking a few were interesting which probably means they were history. Regardless of topic, Miss Nancy theorized that the represented quite a bit of money.

Today, MasterClass streams its content from a website. The pricing model has also changed. Rather than pay per classes, they charge an annual membership fee of $120. (Actually, their site reads, “Starting at $10/month”) Another option for Prairie Lakes Library System patrons is to sign up for of the 4,000 free 1-year licenses provided to us through the MasterClass Grants program. A link to the sign-up form is available on the home page of our new website.

The MasterClass website shows they still offer science courses such as Space Exploration with Chris Hadfield, formerly an astronaut and commander of the International Space Station. All of their classes consist of fairly short videos created by experts in the field. Science topics also include Gut Health, The Science of Better Sleep, and Think Like an FBO Profiler among others.

Other categories of topics include Business, Wellness, Food, Writing, Home & Lifestyle, Community and Government, Sports & Gaming, Arts & Entertainment, Design & Style, and Music. Next week I’ll be at Disney World with my daughter and her Dance Team. The only item on my must do list is at least one meal at Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant, so his cooking class does appeal to me.  More than Gordon Ramsey’s anyway. I don’t think he would yell on the videos, but never assume.

There really is a wide variety of topics. Explore their website, and if they sound interesting, all you need is an internet ready device and a library card.

Last week I set a short-term goal of finishing our autumn puzzle from, well, autumn. Nobody else was home at my house Thursday night, so it is done.  Our current puzzle is a book store. We’re not taking any chances with a season puzzle right now. General consensus is that it looks like Ink Link. Both are warm and inviting with beautiful shelving units and murals. This one won’t take nearly as long. Stop in to see it before it’s too late.

  

Reading Now: A Killer in the Family by Gytha Lodge, 1984 by George Orwell

Listening to Now: Hounded by Kevin Hearne (First book in Iron Druid Chronicles)