New Database Features at TPL

While attending the Michigan Library Association Annual Conference in Kalamazoo last week, I went to a session that showcased new updates in databases to which the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) subscribes. These databases are provided to the Troy Library free-of-charge, courtesy of the State Library of Michigan. Here are the highlights:

• Kids's Infobits, this youth database now has the ability to read the text of an article to you. This can be helpful for people with dyslexia, or people who use English as a second language. You can play the audio at your computer while looking at the article, or can download it to your computer as an MP3 file to be listened to later.
  
• MeL Michigana has added more content. This database houses several digital collections relating to Michigan history, including the Civil War Diaries Collection from Western Michigan University, the Archives of Michigan Image Collection, and the Virtual Motor City image collection from Wayne State University.
• Business & Company Resource Center now has enhanced investment reports compiled daily by Reuters Research on Demand.
• LearningExpress Library has added a U.S. Citizenship practice test dealing with history and civics. LearningExpress still continues to offer practice exams for the ACT, SAT, ASVAB, and various civil service exams, as well as practice tests for various school subjects. LearningExpress Library also contains a large library of eBooks to help in test preparation.

To access any of these databases, go to the Troy Public Library homepage and click on "Information On-Demand". Have your Troy Library card number handy.