Learning Express 3.0

We’re pleased to unveil the new Learning Express 3.0 database, now available in the Digital Library. A highlight of the new Learning Express 3.0 is the selection of study materials for the HiSET high school equivalency exam that replaced the GED. For the most part the study material is the same, so GED print materials are still useful.

This is a new platform, and existing Learning Express accounts will not work, patrons will have to create new accounts. We currently have both Learning Express and Learning Express 3.0 to allow patrons to complete current courses, but the old Learning Express will be phased out by June.
Check out this video from our YouTube channel that tells you all about Learning Express 3.0!

Learn4Life Is Now Gale Courses

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Learn4Life is now called Gale Courses. It may have a new name but this great database still offers the same valuable educational experience. Using just your library card you can choose from over 350 online courses. They are instructor-led, and each course lasts six weeks. You don’t have to be online at a certain time to take the classes. Lessons are released every Wednesday and Friday for the duration of the course, and then you have two weeks to complete the final exam. At the end of the course, as well as learning something new, you’ll also get a certificate of completion.

Here are some examples of the courses you can take:

Accounting Fundamentals

Beginning Writer’s Workshop

Computer Skills for the Workplace

Handling Medical Emergencies

Homeschool with Success

Introduction to Photoshop CS6

Navigating Divorce

Project Management Fundamentals

Check out the course catalog. To enroll in a course all you need is your library card and an email address!

Main Library Dedication

Join us tomorrow (Saturday, April 12) for the dedication of the new Main Library at Goodwood. Here is the schedule of events:

10:30 a.m.
Mary Jo Kelly the Book Doctor
Storyteller

12:00 p.m.
Silly Nilly the Clown
Fun with Twisted Balloons

1:00 p.m.
Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden & public officials
EBRP Library Board of Control Members
State Librarian, Rebecca Hamilton

1:30 p.m.
Reception
Tours
Ton Music
3D Printer Demonstrations

2:30 p.m.
Harvey Rabbit & Friends

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ReferenceUSA: Historical Business Data Reports

ReferenceUSA now offers Historical Data Reports for U. S. businesses! This new module delivers incomparable access to anyone wanting to have a historical reference for their city, an industry, or even an individual business.  This powerful insight will be beneficial in recognizing trends and opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, and community planners.

ReferenceUSA is offering a series of free webinars that will teach you how to get the most out of this great database, including a new webinar that covers the Historical Business Data module. Attendees will need an internet connection and a phone line to participate.

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ReferenceUSA Search Essentials

Most Fridays (April, May, June)
April 4, April 11, May 2, May 9, May 16, June 13, June 20, June 27
Time: 11:00 AM Central (1 hour)

This session is designed for anyone new to ReferenceUSA. We will cover the Four Essentials anyone will want to know in order to be successful using the resource. This is also a great opportunity for current users to learn some new tips, tricks and techniques. Click here to register.

ReferenceUSA Historical Business Data

Day/Date: select Tuesdays (April, May, June)
April 1, April 29, May 20, June 10
Time: 2:00 PM Central (1 hour)

One of the essential requirements for planning for the future is to understand the past. ReferenceUSA has been compiling Business and Consumer data for many years and this data has been available in file format for advanced research projects.

In response to the increased interest in accessing historical business information, ReferenceUSA has developed an innovative online tool for librarians, research professionals, and library patrons to connect to powerful information that presents a vivid picture of what the business landscape looked like in a given area at a given point in time.

As with all of the ReferenceUSA products, the Historical Data module has simple to navigate interface
that is your entrée to an immense universe of interesting business information. Click here to register.

Start, Manage, & Grow Your Business Using ReferenceUSA 

Day/Date: Most Mondays (April, May, June)
April 7, April 14, May 5, May 12, May 19, June 9, June 16, June 23, June 30
Time: 2:00 PM Central (1 hour)

Entrepreneurs and business owners will learn how to use ReferenceUSA to find the mission critical
information necessary to start, manage and grow a business. Topics include:

• name Search for Business
• locate hard to find vendors, both locally and nationally
• locate subject manager experts and professional services
• find investors, venture capitalists and angels
• network with other businesses in your area or in your industry
• develop relationships with related business for co-branding opportunities
• understand community demographics
• survey locations for expansion
• conduct competitive analysis
• plan delivery routes and service areas
• source new employees

Click here to register.

Uncovering the Hidden Job Market: Career Search Strategies using ReferenceUSA

Day/Date: Most Wednesdays (April, May, June)
April 2, April 9, April 16, April 30, May 7, May 14, June 11, June 18, June 25
Time: 2:00 PM Central (1 hour)

Attendees will learn how to use ReferenceUSA as part of their Career Searching Strategy. This webinar will cover the importance of having accurate information for applications and résumés, creating engaging cover letters, assembling a network of references and referrers, finding key persons at a business to act as mentors, building datasets of potential employers based on skill set, work history, and preferences as well as how to prepare for interviews and interactions through thorough research. We will also explore the new Jobs & Internship module which adds a new dimension to job searching. Click here to register.

ReferenceUSA Consumer & Lifestyle Data

Day/Date: select Tuesdays (April, May, June)
April 8, May 6, June 17
Time: 2:00 PM Central (1 hour)

Ever wonder how marketers and advertisers ‘target’ specific messages to you? Find out how you access
the same type of data for your neighborhood or city. Anyone who is interested in understanding the purchase preferences of a community will find this data both interesting and informative. Learn how to navigate this section of ReferenceUSA and then apply the data to your needs. Click here to register.

ReferenceUSA Big Data & Mapping

Day/Date: select Tuesdays (April, May, June)
April 15, May 13, June 24
Time: 2:00 PM Central (1 hour)

Data Visualization is the next BIG thing in data. Going beyond static lists of information, ReferenceUSA can help you ‘visualize’ data elements on a map. Great for understanding how locations relate to each other or seeing densities within a specific area, the ReferenceUSA mapping tools give you a new and powerful way to better understand the landscape. Learn how to build a map to display results and how to manipulate the mapping tools to your advantage. Click here to register.

French Book Club

We’re starting a new book club here at the new Main Library at Goodwood with a twist: it’s en français! We’re partnering with a local French interest group called Francopportunités that is dedicated to promoting French language and culture in Baton Rouge. Join us next Thursday, March 20, at the Main Library at 7:00 p.m. as we kick off our new French club with a discussion of the classic Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Our unofficial slogan for the club is “Less Sartre, more fun!” Future dates and titles are: le-petit-prince

Thursday, April 24 – La délicatesse de David Foenkinos

Thursday, May 29 – L’élégance du hérisson de Muriel Barbery

Thursday, June 19 – Et si c’était vrai de Marc Levy

Thursday, July 17 – Bonjour tristesse de Françoise Sagan

Thursday, August 28 – Entre les murs de François Bégaudeau

September 25 – L’étudiant étranger de Philippe Labro

October 23 – Les Âmes grises de Philippe Claudel

November 6 – Stupeur et tremblements d’Amélie Nothomb

December 4 – Un secret de Philippe Grimbert

All meetings are scheduled for 7:00 p.m at Main in Conference Room A. Visit our online calendar or call (225) 231-3750 for up-to-date information on book choices.

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CultureGrams

Discover the world with our CultureGrams database that offers concise cultural and statistical snapshots of every country recognized by the United Nations — from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Local experts document the unique, intimate details of each country’s customs, traditions, and daily life. And whether it’s Iraq, Canada, or Kenya, each CultureGram report offers an equality of coverage detailing 25 different aspects of the country and its culture.

Check out the video below from the Library’s YouTube channel to learn more about this exciting resource.

OverDrive Streaming Videos

You can now stream videos for free through our OverDrive library. Videos check out for one week and are stored on your bookshelf just like your eBooks, audiobooks, and music. Access videos instantly on your mobile device from our ever-expanding catalog of digital feature films, documentaries, educational, children’s, and other videos.

A few things to know about the service:

  • No early returns – videos check out for 1 week.
  • Videos are accessible on any devices that support a browser and a media player. In order to view videos on mobile devices, those devices must have browsers that support HTML5.
  • No download or special software required. Simply select a title and start watching right away!

New Year, New Main Library at Goodwood

The new Main Library at Goodwood is now open! Patrons are invited to enter the Library from Independence Boulevard. Temporary parking is available at the BREC Theatre, Garden Center, and soccer fields. Patrons will use a temporary entrance on the north side of the building, next to the Large Meeting Room. Visit our website or follow us on Facebook for the latest information. Thanks to all of our patrons for your patience during this transition period and we look forward to seeing you in our beautiful new building!

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Introducing Atomic Training

Do you need or want to learn more about unfamiliar computer programs? Or maybe you just want a refresher in using everyday applications? We are pleased to offer a new service which includes computer training videos called Atomic Training. It includes a library of over 150 different courses on a wide variety of subjects in computers and information technology. All of these videos are available on-demand so you go at your own pace. There is no software to download; they are available for streaming on your computer or tablet. For more info, check out our Atomic Training InfoGuide or start browsing videos on Atomic Training.

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Gale LegalForms

We are pleased to announce a new resource for finding legal forms. Gale LegalForms is a great place to locate commonly used forms on a variety of topics such as standard leases, divorce forms, bills of sale and many others. This is a very user-friendly resource and the forms are specific to Louisiana. You can use the popular subjects highlighted on the front page, browse all the subjects in alphabetical order or find forms using a keyword search. Most forms are available to download in Microsoft Word and Rich Text Format for easy editing and printing. Additionally, forms are categorized by common keyword searches like “LLC dissolve” or “wills with people with adult children.” This is helpful if you are unsure of the correct search terms to use.

Forms available on Gale LegalForms include forms drafted by attorneys for a particular legal matter, forms from public records and participating companies and attorneys. Federal and state tax forms are also available in this database. These are collected from the IRS website and various state websites.  As with any of our legal information sources, this resource is for informational purposes and you should consult an attorney or law library for serious legal questions or concerns.

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