Mid-School-Year Jump Starters: Language Programs, Career Planning, Free Music and More

This week’s column was submitted by Marianne Orme, reference librarian at the .

Students, do you need relief from the dull routine that develops during the middle of the school year? Here are some options from the library to spice up your life.

1.) Online language programs:

Try something different or support what you are studying in class. Along with Mango Languages, we have added a program called Muzzy, which is designed for younger students.

2.) General study skills books:

If your habits result in forgotten assignments or lost important papers, then these books can help you form new skills to work smarter, not harder.

Earlier:

3.) Career planning books:

Don't lose the forest of your future for all the trees that may be around you. Why not invest some time looking through books in the Work Center on the Fourth Floor and the 331.7 area of the regular collection? Another great resource is the Occupational Outlook Handbook, which is available online.

4.) Background study music:

Need some new tunes? The library is launching its subscription to Freegal, a service that allows patrons to download music. As explained in a recent library blog post, with Freegal, "Des Plaines patrons will be able to access the whole catalog of Sony Records and will be entitled to three free downloads a week for ‘keepsies.’ That's right — no torrent work-around, no fear for the consequences of violating intellectual property laws, just free, legal music for ‘keepsies’ in your ‘jammies.’"

To access Freegal, click here, and enter your library card number.

Connect on Facebook.