Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Was one of your New Year’s resolutions to learn a new language?

If so, then we have the online resource for you. Transparent Language online has over 100 languages for you to learn. The modules offer flexible learning paths which include alphabet lessons, typing activities and more. For 25 foreign languages there are resources for learning English.

Start your learning now and be ready to travel the world once the pandemic is over. I recommend learning the word for train station. You don’t want to be stuck in the center of a town in a foreign country asking the locals by making wheel motions with your arms and chugging choo choo. Don’t ask me how I know this.

Our second new resource is for students and adult learners.

Learning Express Library Complete has resources for improving academic skills, preparing for high-stakes standardized tests and exploring colleges and careers. There are tutorials for improving adult core skills such as math, reading, writing and grammar.

Users can also learn the basics of using a computer, navigating the internet and using popular software programs. Most exciting are the free study modules for standardized tests such as ASVAB, GED, ACT, SAT and many graduate program exams. Print books for test prep cost hundreds of dollars, and this online resource is available for everyone for free.

It is easy to access these resources. There are links on the library’s web page www.stanlycountylibrary.org. A library card and PIN number are required, but library cards are free to Stanly County residents and can be applied for online. If you have any trouble accessing the resources you can also call the circulation desk at the Albemarle library at 704-986-3755 for assistance.

These two online resources, and many more (ebooks and research databases), are provided to the library by NCLive, an organization that uses cooperative buying to purchase resources at the best price and makes them available to libraries, community colleges and universities all over the state.

NCLive is partially funded by the NC Legislature, so thank you local representatives for funding these resources. If you have a library card at the Stanly Community College or Pfeiffer University libraries you can also access any of the NCLive resources.

For readers, be sure to check out the link to the PopSugar 2021 Reading Challenge. If you are looking for a book to fulfill the prompt — a book about do-overs or fresh starts, I can highly recommend “The Lager Queen of Minnesota” by J. Ryan Stradal.

We are open at all of our locations: Albemarle, Badin, Norwood, Oakboro and Locust. If you need help getting books or using the online resources please call 704-986-3755 for assistance.

Melanie J. Holles is director of the Stanly County Public Library, 133 E. Main St., Albemarle. Email mholles@stanlycountylibrary.org.