Consumer Reports : Using researchIT CT for Results!

A Short Story
The East Hampton Public Library is a former subscriber to Consumer Reports. The library dropped its subscription when the Connecticut State Library added it to its list of statewide researchIT CT services (formerly iCONN); i.e., no sense incurring a duplicate expense.

Moving Forward
Though accessing Consumer Reports data takes a few more steps than it used to, there is still a wealth of essential and free consumer-friendly information at the ready and at your finger tips. Here's a how-to if you are using a PC:

Step 1 : Login to EBSCOHost

Click and you will be asked to enter your library barcode number. Your card number is 14 digits long and should be entered without spaces between the digits. After entering your card number, click the login button.

Once you are logged in, you'll see a list of databases from which you may choose.

Step 2 : Choose MasterFILE Premiere

Scroll down through the list of available databases and check the box for MasterFILE Premiere. Press the enter key and you're ready to search and find information from Consumer Reports.


Step 3 : Use the Drop-down Menu to Limit Your Search

Use the 'Journal name' selection in the drop-down menu and enter (not case sensitive) consumer reports in the uppermost search box.

In the second-level box, after the AND, enter the general product you are shopping for and for which you are seeking product reviews.

Give us a call at 860-267-6621 if you need help with a PC query. Tablet and phone advice coming soon...

Alzheimer's Disease : World Alzheimer's Month : September 2016 : Remember Me

Remember Me
According to Alzheimer's Disease International, there are more than 47 million people worldwide living with dementia. Alzheimer's Disease is the most common cause of dementia.

In the U.S., more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's. Whether you or a family member are Generation X (1965-1984), a Boomer (born 1945-1964), a Silent (born 1923-1944), or a Greatest (1910-1925), your family has likely been touched by this devastating disease which cannot yet be prevented or cured.

Links to Useful Resources
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Alzheimer's Association, Connecticut Chapter
MedLine Plus : Alzheimer's Disease, Financial Planning
National Institutes of Health : National Institute on Aging
My Place CT : Long-Term Care Services and Supports
National Council on Aging : Benefits Checkup
Alzheimer's Association : MedicAlert + Safe Return
CT State Department of Aging
researchIT CT : Free online resources as a service of the CT State Library
Town of East Hampton CT : Senior Center, Municipal Agent for the Elderly

Walk to End Alzheimer's
On date of this post, there are four walks scheduled in Connecticut. Plug in your zip code to find September/October walk dates/locations and consider a walk for a cure.

Books & Reading for Adults
A short list of guides and memoirs for individuals or families:

What If It's Not Alzheimer's? A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia edited by Gary & Lisa Radin

The Theft of Memory : Losing My Father One Day at a Time by Jonathan Kozol

The 36-Hour Day, 5th Edition : A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementias, and Memory Loss by Nancy L. Mace, Peter V. Rabins

The End of Memory :  A Natural History of Aging & Alzheimer's by Jay Ingram

Sum It Up by Pat Summitt (1952-2016)

A Dignified Life: The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care: A Guide for Care Partners, Revised Edition by Virginia Bell, David Troxel

Connecting in the Land of Dementia: Creative Activities to Explore Together (September 2016) by Deborah Shouse

Slow Dancing with a Stranger : Lost & Found in the Age of Alzheimer's by Meryl Comer

For Younger Readers

A family member's condition can effect everyone in the family. A short list of titles for young readers:

Really and Truly by Emile Rivard

The Memory Wall (September 2016) by Lev A.C. Rosen (September 2016)

Forget Me Not by Nancy Van Laan

My New Granny by Elisabeth Steinkellner

Pop by Gordon Korman

Library Card Power : Online Learning with Lynda.com

Learn Something New
Use your East Hampton Public Library card as a key to open the door to a high quality online learning resource.

Lynda.com offers over 3,000 interactive video courses taught by experts. Learn a new skill for work or just for fun. Lessons are for all skill levels and include a wide variety of topic areas including business skills and software, web design and development, music, photo and video editing, and 3D design and animation.

How to Use Lynda.com
Use your library card to access Lynda.com at the East Hampton Public Library or at home through an Internet browser. If you don't remember you pin number, give us a call @ 860-267-6621.

When you log in the first time, you will be required to set up a Lynda.com account. This account will keep track of your course progress. For help, check out this tutorial: How to use Lynda.com or, search for a course of interest and get started.

The library version of Lynda.com provides access to all the same courses provided to company and individual subscribers, and all are free to East Hampton Public Library CT resident cardholders.

'Tis the Season

Hurricane Season
The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially started on June 1 and ends on November 30. Safe to say no one is ever looking to be impacted by a hurricane. However, weather happens and in the case of any storm warning, it's a very good idea to keep informed and to think Boy Scout motto : be prepared.

Recommended Web Sites
Here's a range of web sites worth consulting during hurricane season. The list includes links to storm-tracking sites; sites with storm preparedness and family safety information, and educational web videos that may or may not alarm your kids (use your judgement).

There is certainly some duplication across sites but this is not a bad thing...

National Hurricane Center : National Weather Service
Atlantic Storm Names : 2012's Atlantic storm names and the safety reasons for naming procedures
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale : Rates a hurricane's intensity using wind speed

Hurricane Preparedness : Advice from the American Red Cross
CT Guide to Emergency Preparedness : Tips from the CT Dept of Emergency Services and Public Protection
Be Ready : Hurricane advice from FEMA with tabs for Before, During and After
Caring for Animals : Includes a pet-ready brochure from FEMA; also link to the Humane Society
Preparing for Disasters : Tips from the IRS about safeguarding your financial records
Be Ready Kids : The kid-friendly version of Be-Ready, above.

How Stuff Works : Hurricanes and from NASA/NOAA SciJinks: How Does a Hurricane Work?

Keeping In Touch Locally

If you have not yet done so, please do consider signing up to receive East Hampton ALERTS. Signing up will help you keep informed about a range of safety and emergency issues of concern to you and your family. Click here to login or create an account.

Town Manager Mike Maniscalco's Twitter page is also a very useful stop for mobile users looking for up-to-date status on local emergency management topics. You do not need to have a Twitter account to view this page.

Storm Safety
Take some time to view an educational video developed by Eversource CT. The video provides life saving information for anyone who encounters an unsafe electrical hazard.

Summer Reading 2015: Every Hero Has a Story, Unmask! or Escape the Ordinary!

Every Hero Has a Story! What Will Your Story Be?
Summer reading season at the East Hampton Public Library CT, 2015 edition, officially opens on Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m. sharp. Join us and welcome a summer filled with great books, a BIG board game and incentive program for kids; a school supply incentive program for middle-grade readers, and yes, an incentive program for high school and adult readers.

Our Board Game
Make your way through a cityscape using a chance roll of the die plus strategy. Move to 'make it' spaces and show what you can do! Small prizes and tickets to a Barnes & Noble gift card giveaway will be awarded along the way with drawing for four $50 Barnes & Noble gift cards scheduled on Saturday, August 15.

Summer Reading Lists
This year, East Hampton Public School students at all levels are invited to consult one consolidated list of recommended summer reading titles compiled for the Connecticut State Department of Education by Linda Williams, Connecticut State Library.

Grades K-2 -- Grades 3-4 -- Grades 5-6 -- Grades 7-8 -- Grades 9-12

Each grade-level list gives plot summaries for featured books, including favorites and classics, plus a list of series titles you might like to read your way through over the summer. You can find copies of the list(s) plus additional information about the Governor's Summer Reading Challenge at the library or by clicking here.

2016 Nutmeg Book Nominees
Do you know about Nutmeg Books? If you've inadvertently missed this cruise to great summer reads, here's an all aboard pass to a selection of titles nominated by school and public librarians and yes, student readers! And the nominees are:

Elementary 2016 Nominees -- Intermediate 2016 Nominees -- Teen 2016 Nominees -- High School 2016 Nominees

You can find copies of the Nutmeg lists, which include plot summaries, at the library or you can click here.

The Joy of Summer? Read as a Family and Register Today!
Register for the program here then use the site to track your personal success at making reading for pleasure -- and just because you want to -- a part of your summer.

Throughout the summer, we'll be posting here and on our library Facebook page about how to connect to your next great read -- suggested, required, or maybe -- just your choice.

We'll also keep you informed about regarded titles in a different format (e-book and e-audio), all sure to strike your fancy.

"Dash for the Stash" Financial Literacy Program at the EHPLCT

Take a Chance to Win a $1,000 IRA!
Public libraries and other institutions in the District of Columbia and five states -- Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska -- are participating in the DASH for the STASH investor education/protection program and contest taking place April 15 through May 15, 2015. The East Hampton Public Library CT is one of the participating libraries.

Why DASH for the STASH?
The primary goal of the program is to arm investors, particularly young investors age 20-35, with unbiased, non-commercial information needed to make crucial investing decisions. DASH for the STASH focuses on four areas – financial fraud, building a nest egg, selecting financial advisers, and the cost of investment fees – all topics about which many investors need to learn more.

A randomly selected DASH for the STASH winner in each participating state and the District of Columbia will be awarded $1,000 to open or add to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). We suggest you go for it!

How to Play DASH for the STASH
It's easy enough to play DASH for the STASH which works like a scavenger hunt.

Read the 4 posters located in the library lobby. On each poster there is a QR code. Scan the code or enter the URL under the code to go to a quiz question. Each poster leads to a different quiz but you must play the quiz on all four posters to win. Leave your answer (and your email address). That's it!

In Connecticut, DASH for the STASH is sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Banking and the Investor Protection Institute.

National Car Care Month

Squeaky Wheels?
Your car has a way of telling you when there might be a problem. We're certainly not mechanics but some preliminary car care questions may be answered with help from your local library, using your trusty East Hampton Public Library card.

Use your library card to find out about a car care problem you may have or if you are automobile-handy, to determine whether you can fix it yourself or need to visit your car care center.

CHILTONLIBRARY
Your local library card has access to the same information used by professional shops -- including labor times -- all a few online clicks away when you connect to ChiltonLibrary. Enter your library card barcode number to get started.

1. Enter the year, make and model of your vehicle.
2. Navigate to the labor estimating tool.
3. Click select, then use "Search Operations" to enter a query or use "Standard Operations" to access pull-down menus by topic.

The "Standard Operations" click will look like this:

So maybe you can do it yourself; or maybe this is job is best left to the pros. Either way, ChiltonLibrary is good tool to help you understand a problem, confirm estimates, and make informed car care decisions. The better informed we are as consumers, the better service we can expect.

Happy Car Care Month and hope your vehicle is working well and taking you where you want to be, East Hampton Public Library included...

Summer Reading 2014: A Whole Lot of Fizz BOOM, Sparked Reactions, and Literary Elements

Looking for a List... or Two? Or Three?
Summer reading season at the East Hampton Public Library CT, 2014 edition, officially opens on Saturday, June 21, 10 a.m. sharp. We are so prepared to welcome your participation in what promises to be a fun summer filled with great books, a LEGO-themed BIG board game and incentive program for kids; a school-supply incentive program for middle-graders, and yes, an incentive program for high-school and adult readers.

Our LEGO BIG board game, ready to play. Roll the die.
Plot your strategy to get to a construction site!  

Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead!
This summer's programs have more than a little to say about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Check out 2014's suggested summer reading titles compiled for the Connecticut Department of Education by Linda Williams, Connecticut State Library:

Grades K-2 -- Grades 3-4 -- Grades 5-6 -- Grades 7-8 -- Grades 9-12.

You can find downloadable copies of the lists, which include plot summaries and series book recommendations, plus additional information about the Governor's Reading Challenge here.

2015 Nutmeg Award Nominees
Who doesn't know about Nutmeg Books? If by chance you don't, check out the lists of stellar titles nominated by school and public librarians and yes, student representatives.

Grades 2-4 -- Grades 4-6 -- Grades 7-8 -- Grades 9-12

East Hampton High School Summer Reading List
The lone change this year is many of the reading list titles are also available in e-book or e-audio format via OneClickdigital. Students must read one title from the list and another of their own choosing.

Grades 9-10 -- Grades 11-12

For Teens and Adults
Check this blog, the library's Facebook page, our monthly newsletters, in-library book displays, and at the library's front desk for next read suggestions all... summer... long.

New Year, Healthier You!

Online Health and Wellness Information for Families
'Tis the season for resolutions. If you are looking for reputable resources about health and wellness topics or about health or medical concerns for yourself or for a family member, several options are available to help you get the answers you need.

MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health's go-to web site for consumer health information. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language you can understand. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.

Health Information for Ages 60+
NIH Senior Health is designed with older adults in mind. The site comes equipped with readability tools and highlights health and aging topics of interest to older people -- such as Alzheimer's disease, balance problems, shingles, diabetes, and glaucoma. A special section features personal stories of older adults who regularly engage in exercise and physical activity, highlighting the benefits gained from walking, jogging, dancing, swimming, yoga, etc.

Healthnet: Connecticut's Consumer Health Information Network
Healthnet is a program that provides health information to the public. Experienced medical information professionals will research a medical topic for you and provide you with a free customized packet of information based on your specific need. The services are provided to Connecticut residents by the University of Connecticut Health Center’s Lyman Maynard Stowe Library. You may also use the Health Center Library to do your own research.

iCONN.org: Connecticut's reSearch Engine
Check out a stunning array of free databases available to any Connecticut resident with a library card. Scroll down to the Health and Science section and please be sure to peruse a wealth of link-to resources under Other Health Resources.

Chatham Health District : Living Healthy
The Chatham Health District serves the towns of East Haddam, East Hampton, Haddam, Hebron, Marlborough and Portland and provides an array of public health programs. The District's web site offers links to resources about healthy living and creating healthier physical and social environments.

Ghosts of the American Road: Wednesday Evening Music

A November Evening Concert 
The library will be CLOSED on Monday, November 11, in honor of Veterans Day.

On Wednesday, November 13, 7:00 PM, the library will be hosting a FREE concert featuring Ghosts of the American Road, a Texas-based Americana music duo travelling through our area by way of the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference (NERFA). At the concert, you'll meet singer-songwriter Kevin Higgins and musical partner, Barbara Malteze. With seven Texas Music Awards between them, this duo is all set to deliver musical poetry/storytelling at its best. Check out the duo's songs here and here.

Click here to register online for this free concert or give us a call at 860-267-6621.

Honor: A Tribute by Ghosts of the American Road

Temperatures Falling But Programs Rising! Upcoming Library Events

November Programs for All Ages
Join us in November for any of a variety of programs for adults, tweens and teens, and of course, little people! Whether it's discussing a good book; learning to play an oh-so trendy game; making a cool craft; enjoying a concert or a movie -- or learning about useful ways to fund a college education from expert advisers -- we've got a little something for everyone coming your way.

Hope to see you in November as the leaves keep falling, as the holidays approach, and well before we all start stressing about winter!

College Funding Strategies : Navigating the Financial Aid Process
Tuesday, November 5, 6:30 p.m.
If you missed the "college guys" in September, meet them in November. If you have children heading to college soon or sooner, join us for a presentation on college funding strategies, funding options, and navigating the financial aid process. The seminar will be presented by LPL Financial Associates. Nothing to sell; just free advice for parents across the financial spectrum. Click here to register if you plan to attend this free program.

Be Creative @ your library : Turkey Day On the Way!
Saturday, November 9, 11:00 a.m.
Join us on a Saturday morning and make a nifty, not to mention colorful holiday centerpiece sure to please you and your family. The cool thing about this bird is on the BIG DAY, you can invite your family members to write down something they are thankful for on each of the paper feathers. Give thanks! For ages 4-8; click here to register and sign up to be creative.

Munchkin!
Wednesday, November 13, 3:00 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Munchkin is a mega-hit card game about dungeon adventure. You and your friends compete to kill monsters and grab weapons, magic items and treasure. Then use these items to defeat monsters or thwart your friends. There will be a variety of differently themed Munchkin games to play including: Fantasy, Vampire/Werewolf, Apocalypse, Superhero, Pirates, Zombies, and Sci-Fi. For grades 6-8; click to register.

Evening Concert : Ghosts of the American Road
Wednesday, November 13, 7:00 p.m.
Welcome duo Kevin Higgins and Barbara Malteze for an evening concert all about storytelling through song. Enjoy vocals over guitar and piano and the melodic poetry that is this pair's signature sound. Please do catch this award-winning, Texas-based Americana music duo as they travel through our area by way of the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference (NERFA). Check out the tunes; then click to register for this free concert.

Small Business Showcase : Crafty Cakes and Cupcakes!
Thursday, November 14, 1:00 p.m.
Take a Break! Meet and greet Cindy Sullivan, co-owner and the baker behind Crafty Cakes and Cupcakes, one of the latest additions to the East Hampton Village Center's open-for-business list! Learn about how to get crafty and plan for way cool desserts for the upcoming holiday season. Click to register to let us know you will be attending this local showcase event.

Library Book Discussion Group : The Geography of Bliss
Wednesday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.
Join us and discuss The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner, a memoir by a self-professed "grump" who traveled to many different countries around the world looking for the secret to happiness. Throughout his quest, the author weaves in classical thoughts on the nature of happiness and healthy rounds of humor. What makes you happy? Library staff member Phil Carr moderates. Discussion book copies are now available for pick-up at the front desk. Join the conversation! Click here to add to your events.

Library Film Group : Much Ado About Much Ado
Tuesday, November 26, 6:30 p.m.
Looking for a different film take on Shakespeare's comedy? You asked and here you have it! We'll be viewing the 1996 film featuring Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, and Kenneth Branagh. Compare and contrast to Joss Whedon's version or enjoy this one on its own. No matter which you view or prefer, the Bard's 16th century play comes complete with mischief, jealous scheming, and laughter all around.

Rock-n-Roll... Library Style!

The Roots of Rock-n-Roll with Brian Gillie
The East Hampton Public Library is proud to kick off its 16th Annual Saturday Afternoon Concert Series on Saturday, September 28, @ 2 p.m.

A Musical History Lesson
Get ready for a high-energy, fun-filled afternoon with Brian Gillie, long-time international performer, swing dance choreographer, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

Unlike any history lesson you will ever see, Mr. Gillie will use impersonations, costumes, props, original sound bites, stand-up piano-playing, radio commercials and attitude to reveal the story of rock's origins through gospel, rhythm and blues, and country and western. Meet the personalities and songs that shaped the music of doo-wop, Motown, girl groups, surfin', soul, novelty tunes and much more: Little Richard to Beach Boys, Chuck Berry to Beatles, Elvis to Supremes.
sh BOOM!

Click here to register for this FREE concert... with a sneak peak...

Back to School: Teachers in Film

Teachers Rock!
Back to school season is well underway. In the spirit of the season, we offer a quick list of great films about school, teachers and their students. Bet you have a story about that one special teacher who inspired and changed you, too.

Mr. Holland's Opus -- Dead Poet's Society -- To Sir With Love -- Good Will Hunting -- Lean On Me -- Goodbye Mr. Chips -- Won't Back Down -- Detachment -- Freedom Writers -- Billy Elliot -- Finding Forrester -- The Great Debaters -- The History Boys -- Election -- The Class -- Music of the Heart -- Mona Lisa Smile -- Fame -- Rushmore -- The Miracle Worker -- Coach Carter

Connecticut's Fall Fairs 2013 Edition : Be There!

Haddam Neck Fair and Then Some
2013's Fair Season is well underway. If local reports about July and August's fairs and this weekend's Haddam Neck Fair offer any indication, we're all in it for the long summer-to-fall-fair-haul!

Planning Ahead
Click here to download the 2013 CTAgFairs brochure which features a listing of upcoming September and October Fairs. The brochure includes a reduced rate ticket order form for 2014. Plan ahead to save some $ next year!

A Little Bit of History
Enjoy a quick look at Connecticut's agricultural fair history, courtesy of the Connecticut State Grange. If you'd like to learn more about the Grange movement in 19th-20th century America, consider reading The Grange, 1867-1967 : First Century of Service and Evolution by W. L. Robinson.

Also check out the history of the upcoming Durham Fair and Hebron Harvest Fair and keep on tracking events offered via the Brooklyn Fair, this one considered the oldest continuously active fair in the U.S. Happy fall!

Who's Your Favorite Super Hero?

Paul Merklein

Be One...
Thursday, August 15th
Hey kids! Summer reading season has been in full swing since June 22 and you have been digging in and exploring your super hero reader powers since then. As of now, we're just over the half-way mark to the back-to-school finish line so prepare to start celebrating your accomplishments!

Meet Paul Merklein @ 2:00 p.m.
Join us in the library Community Room for a family program led by our guest super artist. Combining dynamic art, comedy and audience participation, the "Amazing Artist" and "Magic Marker Wizard" will draw famous faces, including super heroes… and people right from the audience! Who will he draw next? Be there and be brave! Click to register.

Meet Paul Merklein @ 3:30 p.m.
If you are a tween or teen, or a parent with an interest in helping your artistic tween or teen kid explore their interest in drawing, join us in this afternoon program. Our guest instructor will no doubt inspire students to use their imaginations, discover their super powers, and have fun drawing! Click to register.

Cool Video... Cool Merklein...

Love Indie Films?

Say Hello to IndieFlix!
The East Hampton Public Library launched IndieFlix today.

What's IndieFlix? This online streaming movie service offers you free access to award-winning shorts, feature films, and documentaries. You can choose from a range of titles, including films from major festivals such as Sundance, Cannes, Tribeca, and more.

Why IndieFlix? The service allows us to offer films you might not otherwise have easy access to and which we might not otherwise be able to buy in physical format. The service complements our DVD and Blu-ray collections.

What You Need to Use IndieFlix
Watch movies on any Internet-enabled computer, smartphone, or tablet with a web browser. Also available on Roku, xBox game console, and Apple TV via Apple devices. You'll also need your trusty East Hampton Public Library card. Use your card and the "Create New Account" click in the upper right hand corner.

Finding the Right Film for You
Once you have established your free account, you can browse films, "Channel surf", or use a variety of "Mood Filters" including genre, film length, or rating. Rating classes are All Ages, 13+, and 17+.

Parent Alert! Since IndieFlix films are not rated by the MPAA, you will be asked to acknowledge the following warning "Be advised that films on IndieFlix have not been rated by the MPAA and may contain offensive language, scenes of violence, and sexual situations." As always, choose for yourself or for your child, just as you would for video content in our DVD and Blu-ray collections.

Who Are You? Who? Who?

A Different Kind of Tree
Summer can be a great time to introduce your kids to family history or to tackle a more adult version of a long-deferred genealogy project.

Building the Tree With Your Kids
Enjoy some great advice on how to incorporate easy-fun family history activities into your summer routine, offered by Maureen Taylor at genealogy.com. How-to and fiction books for junior genealogists include:

Basic Genealogy for Kids by Bonnie Hinman
Design Your Family Tree by Amie Jane Leavitt
How to Research Your Ancestry by Tamra Orr
Using Technology to Find Your Family History by Tammy Gagne
Climb the Family Tree, Jesse Bear by Nancy White Carlstrom
Fancy Nancy : My Family History by Jane O'Connor
Seven Brave Women by Betsy Hearne

Jump-Start Services on the Web : Pick and Choose
Quick list and as is always the case with any web-based service, read before you click:

Geni : Free Family Tree builder.
Census Finder : A directory of free census records.
1940 Census Records : 1940 census records released by the US National Archives April 2, 2012 and brought online through a partnership with Archives.com.
Cyndi's List : A list of pointer links to genealogical research sites online.
Ellis Island Immigration : Electronic archive of passenger lists from Ellis Island's immigration records; free with registration.
Family Search : A free service from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Heritage Quest : Search U.S. federal censuses, family and local histories, and primary-source documents.
Roots Web : Self-described as the oldest and largest free genealogy site; supported by Ancestry.com.

The Latest Summer Game?

Image courtesy of Flickr User
woodleywonderworks

Learning a Second Language
Summer can be a great time to kick back and take on a personal enrichment project at a more leisurely pace.

If learning a second language is on your to-do list -- or if introducing your kids to a new language sounds like fun -- use your East Hampton Public Library card to sign up for a free Transparent Language Online service account. This web-based language-learning program offers more than 80 languages, including English as a second language for a variety of non-native English speakers.

Want to Learn While You Travel or Commute?
Once your create your free account, you may also use the Go Mobile tab with your Apple iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, or Android powered device and use the three steps to download and run the app.

Websites
Live Mocha
Connect to a large online language learning community.
Open Culture
Free lessons in 40 languages.
Google Translate
Use it to translate sentences or to translate entire web sites.

So have fun this summer and perhaps dabble in the prospect of ¡El que habla dos lenguas vale por dos! The person who speaks two languages is worth two!