MARSHALL - In addition to the family history website Ancestry.com, the Marshall-Lyon County Library has purchased another educational resource, Lynda.com, for its patrons' use.
While Ancestry.com may be used at any library computer or on your own laptop from within the library, Lynda.com can be used by only one patron at a time at the computer lab in the library.
People can look at the website from home (www.lynda.com) to see what's available and use the library's computers to further learn about software from Adobe, Apple, Microsoft and more. The mini tutorials are for beginners to experts.
"Lynda.com is an absolutely wonderful database of instructional videos on everything from making animated movies to creating your first Facebook page," said Holly Martin Huffman, library director. "Each video is about 10 minutes long and addresses a specific topic, so that you can simply use it to answer questions or brush up on certain skills as well such as Excel."
Martin Huffman said Lynda.com has all the versions of software so if someone has Microsoft 97, he or she can learn about that.
With Lynda.com, the patron or the library doesn't need a new book every time software is upgraded.
The software can be used as a creative outlet or to obtain stronger job skills, she said.
"You could learn something new on your lunch break and go home and practice or you may decide to subscribe (to Lynda.com) if you find it useful," she said.
Among the tutorial titles are "IPad Tips and Tricks," "GMail Essentials" and "Using PayPal."
Martin Huffman said Lynda.com is "responsible and authoritative - eLearning at its best."
Another new aspect of the library is the display of art. The Marshall-Lyon County Library has displayed Marshall High School art students' art as well as other people's in the community and will have an exhibit of Lucy Tokheim's called "Bookface: Portraits of People Reading Books." The exhibit runs from April 19-May 10 with the reception from 5-7:30 p.m. April 19, at the library.
In addition, the library will sponsor authors such as the May 1 presentation of Saloma Furlong who will speak about her book, "Why I Left the Amish: A Memoir."