North Ridgeville Review The Community That Cares
Lorain Public Library System is pleased to announce the addition of Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment and FamilySearch to its eLibrary, both now available to cardholders at LorainPublicLibrary.org.
Norstar Digital Literacy Assessments
The Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment is aimed at helping adults acquire the skills they need in today’s workplace.
“People without basic computer know-how are at a disadvantage when it comes to getting hired because employers expect basic computer skills for most jobs, including many entry-level positions,” said Manager John Guscott. “It will give our patrons a better chance at getting jobs and getting ahead.”
The free set of assessments includes self-guided modules: Essential Computer Skills (Basic Computer Skills, Internet Basics, Using Email, Windows, Mac OS), Essential Software Skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and Using Technology in Daily Life (Social Media, Information Literacy, and Creative Job Search).
“I thought I was pretty proficient in excel until I took the assessment myself,” said Guscott. “I learned several new things.”
The modules are based on a set of basic computer competency benchmarks developed by a diverse group of literacy providers, business representatives and nonprofit agencies. These standards help ensure that computer classes are teaching adult learners the exact skills they need to succeed in the workplace.
At the end of each test, the user receives a page of results, which lists the skills that have been mastered and the areas that need improvement.
Closed captioning is available and screen readers are supported.
FamilySearch
FamilySearch offers access to genealogy resources to help you make more family discoveries.
There are only a few hundred affiliate libraries in the country. The designation means LPLS patrons will now have greater and more convenient access to the wealth of genealogical resources available through FamilySearch. The web service has over 6 billion searchable names and 2 billion images of historical genealogical records.
FamilySearch adds over 300 million free genealogical records and images online yearly from all over the world and manages the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. It has amassed billions of birth, marriage, death, census, land and court records from more than 130 countries to help you discover and make family connections.
“Interest in our ancestral roots continues to grow with the popularity of DNA tests, reality tv shows and the growing access to online genealogy records,” said IT Director Dan Shell. “Adding FamilySearch to our eLibrary will enable patrons to make many fun personal discoveries and family connections.”
