I am positively elated to be able to share the following exciting new developments for lili.org with you. We apologize for the delay caused by circumstances beyond our control. While the official start date for the new contracts is today, October 1st, since the contracts were just finalized, we are still working out some issues with database accessibility. Rest assured that we are doing our utmost to minimize theses disruptions and for seamless access to all databases to occur as quickly as possible.
As the result of a mandatory Request for Proposals (RFP) process, we will be welcoming two new databases into the fray, one for genealogy and one for foreign language learning. From the vendors:
MyHeritage Library Edition is one of the largest, most internationally diverse genealogy databases of its kind. Libraries that offer “MyHeritage Library Edition” provide their patrons with access to billions of historical documents, millions of historical photos, and other resources in thousands of databases that span the past five centuries.
Pronunciator provides both guided and self-directed instruction for 80 foreign languages, and ESL for 51 non-English languages, along with Course Designer, which allows for the creation and deployment of custom courses by educators. Pronunciator uses a variety of tools (e.g., drills, quizzes, live online conversation classes, feature films, streaming music with lyrics, poetry, plays, culture notes, etc.) to provide 360-degree exposure to a language within a safe, structured learning environment.
In other news, EBSCO’s NoveList Plus and NoveList Plus K-8 will continue to serve as lili.org’s readers advisory resource, and the World Book Online suite of databases will continue to supply quality encyclopedia content. Additionally, the EBSCOhost content currently available via lili.org, including Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier, and MasterFILE Premier (among many others) will remain available, as will the eBooks in our Gale Virtual Reference Library collection. And you can still count on LearningExpress Library for all your homework help, test preparation, and college and career readiness needs. LearningExpress Library’s Popular Software Skills Center will continue to be available for those looking to improve their computer skills.
Stay tuned for upcoming webinars, trainings, and promotional materials for MyHeritage Library Edition, and Pronunciator, as well as for the longstanding LiLI databases. I thank you for your continued patience throughout the database procurement cycle, and for bearing with our growing pains as we actively work to implement access to the new databases as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
