Literature for the Learning Disabled Adult Program Wins Award

We are happy to announce that we're the 2005 recipient of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) Award for its “Literature for the Learning Disabled Adult” program.

Donated by Keystone Systems, Inc., the $1,000 award and certificate is given to a library organization that has provided outstanding services for people with disabilities. The award is presented by ASCLA, a division of the American Library Association (ALA).

Johnson County Library’s outreach department, headed by Outreach Coordinator, C. J. Sullivan offers many programs to clientele that are unable to come in to the libraries. This includes senior citizens, children in preschool, juveniles in detention centers and adults with developmental disabilities. The award was presented for the latter in which the library provided experiences with literature based tools to serve patrons with special needs.

Sullivan provides literature programs, book talks and discussions (utilizing third to fourth grade reading level books and poetry) to engage adults with learning disabilities attending special classes at Johnson County Community College and LakeMary, an organization that provides opportunities for adults and children with special needs. She encourages her students to write their own poetry (that were subsequently published in a newsletter). Sullivan also provides book talks, reminiscing, educational programs and library overviews for clients of the Johnson County Developmental Supports, a county agency that provides work and leisure opportunities for adults with learning disabilities. She also provides service to Gero-Psych patients at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center and to Alzheimer’s patients in area nursing homes and residential facilities

According to County Librarian Mona Carmack, the award is well deserved by the Johnson County Library Outreach staff. “Their work with the disabled, the elderly and others who are unable to come to the library is making a difference,” she stated. “We are told that these programs are touching lives and in some instances providing a connection and enrichment that might not otherwise be there.”

If you have questions about our outreach efforts, please link to the Homebound and Outreach Web page, call (913) 261-2333, or send an e-mail to JCLOutreach@jocolibrary.org.

Happy Birthday Johnson County!

Today, August 25, 2005 marks the 150th anniversary of Johnson County.
In honor of the County's Sesquicentennial, we're providing a sneak preview of the new Web partnership, JoCoHistory.net. JoCoHistory.net is a community partnership among the Johnson County Museum, Archives, and Library, and the Olathe Public Library. The site will officially luanch in 2006, but you can view historical pictures of the County and learn more about the project at: www.JoCoHistory.net.

Homework help @ your library

Starting Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005, homework coaches will be available at Johnson County Library locations to help you or the students in your house with math, science, social studies, English, and reading homework. The homework help Web page lists hours, locations, and provides additional links to online resources.

Can't make it to to the library? Try Answers Anytime: 24/7 live chat with a librarian. So, next time it's 11 p.m., and you need three articles and two books for a history paper that's due in the morning, log into Answers Anytime, and a librarian will be happy to point you in the right direction to find online, full-text articles and reference books lickity-split via our online databases.

Fall Activities catalog available online and at your library

The Johnson County Library Fall 2005 Activities catalog is now available. The catalog lists programs in September, October, and November. Library classes and programs are always free and open to the public. Pick up a schedule of events at any library location, or download the program catalog today (PDF).

The Summer 2005 Catalog (PDF) lists classes scheduled through August.

Check out more information on library classes and events on our Web site.

Missed the program? Check out the podcast or archive

As part of our online programs, we also provide links to the podcasted audio or links to the images and audio experienced by the "live" participants. Check out the recent archived online program, The Business of Being an Artist, where artists Jessa and James Huebing-Reitinger of Project InSECT discuss their work and provide advice on how to become a successful artist.

• Link to the podcast
  
• WMA audiorecording about the business of being an artist (10 MB file; playback time of 67 minutes)
  
• MP3 audiorecording about the business of being an artist (19 MB file; playback time of 67 minutes)
  
• Audiorecording, text chat, and webpages visited about the business of being an artist

We're also starting a monthly online program the first Friday of the month with Jessa and James. No matter where their travels take them, we'll catch up with them on the road and learn about their adventures educating the public about the importance of art, science, and of course, why everyone should love insects. More information is at: www.jocolibrary.org/projectinsect.

Battle of the Bands: Missed the event? Check out the podcast

And the winner of the 2005 Battle of the Bands is...A Grim Day for Justice (pictured).

Missed the event on August 5? Listen to the archived audio or link to the podcast of Battle of the Bands. (More pictures to come on the Web site.)

Hmmm...remember when you had to be quiet in a library?

About to buy test prep services? Check out LearningExpress first

Before you spend money on test prep software to help you with the ACT, GRE, or other test, log into LearningExpress--one of the electronic resources available to library patrons from home or office with just a library card number and PIN.

LearningExpressLibrary is an interactive online learning platform of practice tests and tutorials designed for students and adult learners. Academic or licensing tests are available, with immediate scoring, complete answer explanations, and individualized results analysis.

• Free and unlimited access to commonly requested practice tests and skill building exercises
• Timed tests, immediate scoring, complete answer explanations, and an individualized analysis of tests results.
• After patrons register for LearningExpressLibrary using their library card numbers and PINs, the LearningExpressLibrary site can be accessed through any Internet connection

Tests topics include:

• Advanced Placement
• Business Writing Success Skills
• Civil Service
• College Entrance Exams
• Cosmetology
• Elementary, Junior High, and High School Skills Improvement
• EMS
• Firefighter
• GED
• Graduate School Entrance Exams (i.e. GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc.)
• High School Skills Improvement
• Job and Career Success Skills
• Law Enforcement (i.e., Border Patrol, Corrections Officer, Police Officer, and Treasury
• Enforcement Agent tests)
• Math Skills Improvement
• Middle School Skills Improvement
• Military
• Nursing
• Reading Skills Improvement
• Real Estate (i.e. PROMISSOR tests, AMP tests, the California test, the EXPERIOR, the PSI, and the New York tests)
• Skills Improvement with Spanish Instructions
• Teacher Certification (i.e. CBEST tests and PRAXIS I tests)
• TOEFL
• U.S. Citizenship
• Writing Skills

To access LearningExpress, go to the library's Web page: www.jocolibrary.org; click on "Search and Research," and then click "L" in the alphabetical list of databases to find the database by name.

This database is available from any Internet connection as long as you sign in with your library card and PIN. Access the featured database review for tips and tricks to using LearningExpress.

The Business of Being an Artist: Online program

Join artist in residence, Jessa Huebing-Reitinger, online as she discusses the business of her work with Project InSECT. How do you support yourself as an artist? How do you get to know your subject? Only minor set up is needed to participate in this live online program.

The Business of Being an Artist
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
11 a.m.

To attend one of the library’s online programs, just click on the title of the program (above). When you click on the link, a small, safe applet will load onto your computer. This allows you to view and listen to the presentation as well as interact with the presenters. If you have a microphone, you can ask questions verbally (just like speaking through a phone), or, if you prefer, simply use the text chat. Learn more about the library's online programs.

Fair thee well....Johnson County Fair: August 8-13, 2005

If the store-bought kettle corn just isn’t doing it for you and your homemade funnel cakes are just big globs of dough and powdered sugar, then visit the Johnson County Fair August 8-13 for the real thing. While you’re there, have fun at the tractor pull, demolition derby, open youth rodeo and parade. The parade starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 13. For more information visit: http://www.JoCoKansasFair.com/.

If you’d like to take one last summer vacation, you can also check out other fairs in the tri-state area. Information on those fairs can be found on the State & County Fairs Web page.

Rather visit the fair via a book and your comfy chair? Visit The Greatest Show on Earth booklist found on the Readers’ Corner Web page.

Battle of the Bands 2005: Live broadcast and podcast

Get your friends together and celebrate at the end of summer reading party--a.k.a. 2005 Battle of the Bands. Hang out at the Antioch Library on Friday, Aug. 5, 2005; 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and listen to local music performed by teens from the metro area. At the end of the night, cast your vote for your favorite band. (Pizza and pop will be provided for teens.)

Can't make it that evening, or want to listen in later? This year, Battle of the Bands will be broadcasted live and available via podcast after the event. To log in, download, or learn more about the online options, check out the online programs page. To listen to the live broadcast, just click on the title link the night of the event--a small safe applet will download on your computer. Links to the podcast will be available after the event.

Confused about Medicare and prescription drugs?

The Johnson County Library will host a program entitled “Medicare Prescription Drug Costs: Help from Social Security” on Thursday, August 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Central Resource Library.

This program will provide information on how those with limited incomes may be able to get extra help from Social Security in paying for Medicare prescription drugs. The workshop is intended to help you determine if you are eligible and explain the paperwork that needs to be completed. No registration required. For more information call (913) 495-2466.

All library programs are free and open to the public. Interpretive services and other accommodations for those with special needs are available by contacting Library staff at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled Library program. For more information about Johnson County Library programs visit the library’s Web site: www.jocolibrary.org.