110+ Languages Are At Your Fingertips

Planning a trip to Italy to celebrate your anniversary? Collaborating with your Chinese counterparts in your company’s Beijing branch? Just want to brush up that language you studied for four years in school, but somehow can’t seem to remember at all? Maybe you're delving into genealogy for your immigrant ancestors? We’ve got you covered. Transparent Language Online Now Available FREE at Russell County Public Library.

We are excited to announce that we now offer Transparent Language Online free to all library card holders. Whether you’re starting at the very beginning with a new alphabet or you’re an intermediate learner looking to enhance your vocabulary and grammar knowledge, Transparent Language Online can help. Available for learning 110+ languages, plus English (ESL) materials for native speakers of 30+ languages, the program has something for everyone:

·        Alphabet Courses: Full-length alphabet courses are available for 18+ languages to familiarize you with new writing systems, empowering you to learn one (or more!) of those “intimidating” languages like Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, or Arabic.

·        Essentials Courses: These courses guide you through 30+ lessons of pure language fundamentals, including meeting and greeting, expressing wants and needs, planning for a trip, dealing with money, asking for help, and beyond.

 

·        General Vocabulary: Hundreds of topically-organized vocabulary lists will teach you thousands of new words and phrases through a completely redesigned suite of fun, interactive activities that build all four core language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. No more drilling paper flashcards!

 

·        Grammar Reference: An extensive index of grammar materials rounds out the learning experience, providing both written and multimedia explanations of grammar rules and patterns.

Worried that you won’t be able to learn on your own? A customizable Learning Path allows you to choose what you want to learn, while an integrated analytics system tracks your progress, periodically prompting you to review material that you haven’t seen in a while. It’s like having a built-in teacher there to keep you on track toward your language-learning goals.

Best of all, Transparent Language Online works on any Internet-connected device, so you can learn from your laptop, phone, or tablet.

To learn more about Transparent Language Online and preview the program, swing by the library for a demo and to set up a free account. You can also access the program directly at http://russell.lib.va.us/digital-learning.

Feel free to contact us with any questions at 889-8044 or 873-6600.

School is in Session!

G. H. Givens announces school start date as September 4, 1935

We take the Russell County Schools for granted. But the school system we know took over a century to evolve. School commissioners were first appointed for Russell County in 1818; at that time the commissioners directed the schools. Russell County included what is now Wise, Buchanan, and Dickenson counties. In the 1840s the court laid out school districts under order of an act of the General Assembly. Several public and private schools served Russell County in the last half of the 1800s.

In 1870 a school system directed by a superintendent came into being. But the district boards cooperated with the county superintendent to manage school business until 1922. The present system of a county school board was enacted by state law in 1922.

In the 1930s the school board was appointed by the Trustee Electoral Board (who were appointed by the Judge of Circuit Court.) The school board, the superintendent, and the clerk of the board were the only members of the school administration!

In honor of the newly appointed superintendent, Dr. Kimberly Hooker, here's a list of the superintendents.

E. D. Miller
D.C. Alderson
M. C Clark
W. J. Kendrick
William L. Patton
H. W. Fugate
R. N. Anderson
G. H. Givens  1928-1965
Alex Levicki  1965-1971
Omer Elkins  1971-1973
A.P. Baldwin  1975-1976
David Musick  1976-1979
Charles Long  1979-1985
Larry Massie  1985-2000
Dr. Lorraine Turner  2000-2010
Dr. Michael Puckett  2010-2012
Dr. Brenda Hess  2012-2016
Dr. Gregory Brown  2016-2022
Dr. Kimberly Hooker  2022-

Posted by Kelly McBride Delph

Reading Habits

The Reader's Bill of Rights

Have you ever found yourself unable to finish a book?  What was the book? When I asked the library staff that question, several of them replied they always finished a book. "Just too stubborn, I guess," one staffer offered. Share the book you never finished in the comments--no judgement!

Here's a selection of titles that the staff, book group members, and Friends said they couldn't finish. 

There There by Tommy Orange

When Women Were Birds by Terry Williams

Barefoot to Avalon by David Payne

Black Boy Joy by Kwame Mbalia

I started keeping track of what books I read--and want to read!-- more than 10 years ago. I use 'goodreads.' How do you keep track of what you read? An app or do you write them down!? I eventually made a list in goodreads of "Did Not Finish" books. Just to keep myself honest.

In the spirit of happy reading, here's the Reader's Bill of Rights. Keep reading--or not, see #1. Remember, your phone counts as reading! And visit your local public library today. We've got a something for almost everyone.

posted by Kelly McBride Delph

Summer: Oceans of Possibilities

As the long awaited months of summer have finally arrived and fun in the sun is what we are all thinking about, we also need to help encourage students to keep reading over the summer. Summer reading is critical, not only for helping children to maintain their learning while school is out, but also for fostering social-emotional development. Kids will discover joy in reading and will learn the importance of lifelong learning.  

Summer Reading Programs at your library can help develop this love of learning and reading in kids and adults alike. Russell County Public Library has a fun-filled summer reading program for all ages. Our Summer Reading kick-off starts on Tuesday, June 14th at the Lebanon branch with a Launch Party and Summer Reading sign-up. Honaker Summer Reading kick-off will be Friday, May 17th. Throughout the summer we will be enjoying activities such as an aquarium diorama, a bubble party, robotics, a theatrical production, magic show, assorted arts and crafts, and an end of summer bash.

Summer is a time of fun, and to prove the kids that reading is something fun and enjoyable, let them read whatever they want, whether it be a book below or above their reading level, comics, graphic novels, or to listen to audiobooks; it is all good for them and is something that may bring them enjoyment for a lifetime. Come out and join Russell County Library at Lebanon and Honaker for a summer full of fun from June 14-July 28, we can’t wait to see you!! 

Posted by Belinda Levy