E-reading program is among many online services available
through the library’s website
E-reading program is among many online services available through the library’s website
The San Benito County Free Library has launched BookFLIX, a new e-reading technology that is made available by the California State Library. The program gives young children a new way to experience books, helping them learn to love reading, and to become lifelong readers. BookFLIX is presented by Scholastic, and combines classic fictional video storybooks with similarly themed nonfiction eBooks, aimed at children in preschool through third grade. Available through the library’s website, children can see their favorite stories come to life on screen, then turn the pages electronically to discover facts about the world around them.
Developed for use in the classroom, school library or public library, the BookFLIX program offers 95 fiction-nonfiction pairs, of which 25 or more are available in Spanish. Special features of these readings include a “read-along” option that provides word-by-word highlighting, narrated text and vocabulary definitions, educational games and activities, biographies, interviews, and age-appropriate web links to further explore topics of interest.
Also for young students, there is a service on the library’s website called Brainfuse, which is listed on the website as “HelpNow – Online Tutoring.” No library card is required to access the service, which has live virtual tutors and study guides for a variety of school subjects.
In addition to these resources for children, the library offers a number of other online services for adults and teens. One newer addition is Chilton’s Online, which offers the public a chance to access continuously updated owner’s manuals for their vehicles. Whether one owns a classic American truck or a new foreign sports car, Chilton’s Online will have its complete manual for operation and servicing.
Another service the library offers is the Mángo Languages program, which is a fun way to learn or practice a new language. They have many languages to choose from, including English as a Second Language specifically tailored to a native tongue (i.e. English for Spanish speakers). They even have options such as pirate language. This is a completely free service, and once one registers through the library’s homepage, users can also download a mobile app for personal use.
Finally, the library is proud to introduce the first QR (quick access) code, which can be scanned with any mobile device. It is printed on a newly created bookmark, which will be distributed to the public shortly. This bookmark also features general information about the resources listed above, among others, and is presented in both English and Spanish.
Each of these services can be accessed through the library’s website, at www.sanbenitofl.org. The library itself is located at 470 Fifth St., in Hollister; hours of operation are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and noon-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
