7 New MANGO Basic and Complete courses!

If you haven't tried our Mango Languages courses to increase your conversation skills for foreign destinations this may be the time to do it. New languages have been added to the already astounding array so take a minute and take a look.

The new languages are Czech, Dutch, Tamil, Slovak, Ukrainian, Croatian and Indonesian. Go to http://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/resources/online.htm or just click on the Mango link from our front page. Learn a new language now!

Social networking nerd?

If you are new to Facebook or other social networking tools and would like some expert guidance there is still room in our computer class on Wednesday December 1st at 12:30. Call to reserve your spot and I'll bet that you will learn something helpful. There will be time for questions.
If you aren't familiar with our classroom and the regular schedule of classes that we offer, take a look at our website at http://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/events/Computoclass.htm to see our schedule of offerings. In addition to our live classes every Monday evening and Wednesday at lunch time you can also increase your computer aptitude with our computer skills courses through LearningExpressLibrary http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/learningCenter/computerSkills. Whether you have a MAC or a PC you will find training for all levels of experience covering a variety of programs.

New study guides and job prep materials available at the library

LearningExpress Library's expanding list of eBooks has grown to almost 200 career guides and study aides, each designed to help people prepare for high-stakes tests—to pass licensing, certification, and competitive entry-level exams, or to advance in school or in their careers. This information is available through the library's online resources page, http://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/resources/online.htm and is free to use with your library card.
The following new eBooks are now available:
Academic Test Preparation
Pre-GED Language Arts, Writing
Geometry Success in 20 Minutes a Day
College Admissions
Write Your Way into College: College Admissions Essay
Public Speaking
Public Speaking Success in 20 Minutes a Day
Homeschooling
Homeschooling FAQs
Workplace Skills and Career Tools
Becoming a Culinary Arts Professional
PRAXIS II: ParaPro Test Prep
TOEIC Test Prep
Add these to the already impressive list of ebooks such as books on the PSAT, SAT and ACT, GREs, LSATs, career information from air traffic controller to teaching including the ASVAB, even citizenship exam preparation and you've got lots of help preparing for your future.
Take the plunge and think... MORE!

Jean-Claude Naude's Tell Me a Jazz Story

Our featured download from Classical Music Library is Jean-Claude Naude's Tell Me a Jazz Story, performed by the Ensemble de Cuivres Epsilon & Orchestre D'Harmonie de la Garde Republicaine. More information about this piece is available on the Alexander Street Press Music Online blog. All tracks downloaded through this promotion are owned by Alexander Street Press and are available to legally download, free of cost to the user through the library's subscription to this database. For more free resources visit our Online Resources page.
Think... more!

Serge Lancen's Mascarade for brass quintet and band

The current featured download from Classical Music Library is Serge Lancen's Mascarade for brass quintet and band, performed by the Ensemble de Cuivres Epsilon & Orchestre D'Harmonie de la Garde Republicaine; Roger Boutry, conductor. More information about this piece is available on the Alexander Street Press Music Online blog. All tracks downloaded through this promotion are owned by Alexander Street Press and are available to legally download, free of cost to the user through the library's subscription to this database. Think... more.

Studying for an exam?

If you are prepping for an exam for college entrance, grad school entrance, ASVAB or other career opportunities there is help for you at Missoula Pubic Library. We have people come in daily looking for GRE, SAT and other exam prep study material. We carry a selection of books but we also have a couple of great online resources. They're free and available from home through our website. Our online resources include both exam prep books and practice exams for just about any exam you can think of. Just go to our website and select the E-Databases link on the right side of the home page. Select either the Infotrac Magazine database and then go to the Testing & Educational Reference Center (near the bottom of the page) or the LearningExpress Library database and select either College Preparation, College Students or Jobs and Careers to find a variety of exam prep tools. You will be asked to enter your library card number to enter either of these resources, then it's on to success!

Rieti's Two Songs Between Two Waltzes

Our featured download from the Alexander Street Press Classical Music Library is Rieti's Two Songs Between Two Waltzes, performed by Ann Murray (mezzo-soprano) and Graham Johnson (piano). All tracks downloaded through this promotion are owned by Alexander Street Press and are available to legally download, free of cost to the user courtesy of your public library. Think... more!

Search for your family's soldier stories

We all have heroes in our families. And yours might be in one of the two new collections that have just been added to the 100 million military records on Ancestry.com, the Civil War and WorldWar II collections. With a name or a birth year, you could learn a family soldier story you never knew about by coming into the library and using the Ancestry.com subscription on the library computers. This database is available for use in the library only.

Free classical music download

Saint-Saëns' Cello Sonata No. 1 in C minor, Op. 32
Our featured download from Classical Music Library is Saint-Saëns' Cello Sonata No. 1 in C minor, Op. 32, performed by cellist Daria Hovor and pianist Aleth Lamasse. More information about this piece is available on the Alexander Street Press Music Online blog found on our online resources page http://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/resources/online.htm. All tracks downloaded through this promotion are owned by Alexander Street Press and are available to legally download, free of cost to the user.

For more free stuff visit our Online Resources page; you'll be amazed at what you find. Think....more music at your library.

Free classical music download

Schumann's Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
Our featured download from Classical Music Library is Schumann's Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22, performed by pianist Abdel Rahman El Bacha, a Lebanese pianist and composer. More information about this piece is available on the Music Online blog, and you can see over 125 works by Schumann here.
Think... more free classical music from your library.

This month's free classical music download

Skryabin's 8 Etudes for Piano, Op. 42
Our featured download from Classical Music Library is Skryabin's 8 Etudes for Piano, Op. 42, performed by pianist Nicole Afriat. More information about this piece is available on the Alexander Street Music blog, and you can browse works by Skryabin here.
So visit the Alexander Classical Music database from our website's E-databases page and add another great classical piece to your MP3 player. Think...more free music from your library.

Get it now - on your phone!

There's an app for that! Don't have time to come into the library to do a quick bit of research? You can have access to Missoula Public Library's electronic magazine database from your phone!! Just download the free AccessMyLibrary app from the App Store for use on your iPhone or iPod touch® today.

Gearing up for job searching

This morning 2 of our staff had the opportunity to conduct "mock interviews" at Hellgate High School to help prepare the students for job or school interviews. It was a very cool experience for both them and us, and got me to thinking about the many resources the library has to help prepare for something that can be a nerve-wracking experience.


Our shelves are stocked with books to help you with each step of the process from resume writing (see titles like "The 30-Minute Resume Makeover" and "Knock 'em Dead Resumes") to job interviews, and even specialized focuses like marketing your military experience. Find these in our non-fiction shelves under 650.14. There are lots more in our catalog.


Or, if you're more of a listener, we have audio books both on CD here in the building and downloadable from any Internet connection. Listen to tips on "Nailing the Job Interview" or "Acing the Interview" and feel confident when you walk into that meeting.


And, best of all, we have online help. Look on our home page under Electronic Resources for Learn-a-Test. Despite its name, this resource is more than just tests. It has an entire section on resumes, interviewing, job searching, and even business writing. And you can use it from any Internet connection.


If you're working on a resume, ask at the Reference Desk to use our word processing rooms on the upper level - it saves you from having to wait for a turn in Web Alley and lets you work in peace.


The new year is approaching, and new jobs await!

Online Library

Finding it a bit too cold to venture outside to visit the library? Do not fret - you still have access to online library materials at http://www.missoulapubliclibrary.org/ -- your portal to The Missoula Public Library's Virtual Branch Library.

From the homepage you have access to MontanaLibrary2Go downloadable audio book service, a self-paced online Web 2.0 class, 24-hr Reference service, and online book clubs. You can also click the "e-Databases" link to view a listing of online resources available free of charge with your library card. Some popular databases include:

• NovelList Plus -find a good book to read. Take a look at the Author Read-alikes, "What We're Reading"suggestions, Book Discussion Guides, BookTalks, and Annotated Book Lists.
  
• Heritage Quest -research your family history
  
• Auto Repair Reference Center -find automotive information dating back to 1945 for all major makes and models of vehicles. Also includes basic care and repair tips and a troubleshooting guide
• Alexander Street Press Online Music -create playlists and listen online for free to music from the Classical Music Library, Smithsonian Global Sound, or African American Song. For a fee you can download music to your PC.

These are just a few examples of online resources you have access to from home. To find more, explore the library's homepage or call us at 721-BOOK.

Post a comment & tell us what online library resources you use from home!