Free Access to Rosetta Stone® Online with SCCLD Library Card

For Immediate Release
August 4, 2016

Learn 30 Different Languages

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – Aug. 4, 2016, Learning a new language, or even two or three new languages, is never easy.  But with Santa Clara County Library District’s (SCCLD) newest addition to its Virtual Library, increasing one’s knowledge of foreign languages just became less daunting and much more obtainable. 

Now available online on the library’s main website (www.sccld.org), SCCLD is pleased to announce the addition of the Rosetta Stone Online Library Solution, a language learning service that offers anyone with a SCCLD library card free access to 30 new language courses.  SCCLD Library cards are free and available to everyone.

An award winning interactive approach to learning a new language, the Rosetta Stone Library Solution utilizes an immersion method within its coursework.   Courses are available in different proficiency levels and structured around core lessons that help build reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Online lessons focus on refining grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation skills through the use of quizzes, challenges and illustrative images with lessons progressing from basic to complex.   Included in each course is an interactive voice comparison component that allows the learner to record his or her voice and compare it to the voice of a native speaker using the same spoken phrase.  By using this method, language students learn proper word articulation, cadence, pronunciation and more.  

“Living in such a diverse area as Santa Clara County, California, we have a chance to hear multiple languages spoken by residents and visitors to our area on any given day.  It’s no surprise that Santa Clara County has one of the highest percentages of residents born in a foreign country, with more than 50% of the population over age five speaking a language other than exclusively English at home.  (http://siliconvalleyindicators.org/data/people/talent-flows-diversity/foreign-language/)  With the addition of the Rosetta Stone language lessons to our Virtual Library, we hope that anyone wishing to learn a new language or enhance one they are still learning will try this free resource. English as a Second Language (ESL) students looking to improve English skills, students currently enrolled in foreign language courses, or perhaps a future traveler who wants to learn a few words before embarking on business or vacation are all encouraged to sign up and try one of the 30 different languages offered,” commented Mike Wasserman, Joint Powers Authority Vice Chair and Santa Clara County Supervisor. “Most people already know some basic words in a foreign language such as bonjour, ciao, or hola.  With this free new resource, everyone will have a chance to go one, two or even three steps further in their language development!” continued Wasserman.

All SCCLD cardholders can easily access the Rosetta Stone program and begin language courses by going to the main SCCLD website:  www.sccl.org and clicking on “Research”.  Library cards are free and can be obtained at any SCCLD Library with a photo ID and proof of address.  For more information visit SCCLD’s Get A Library Card webpage at
https://sccld.org/card.

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the online Virtual Library offers SCCLD’s customers a variety of services and content.  In addition to Rosetta Stone, SCCLD recently added to its growing list of available online resources: free daily access to The New York Times online and medici.tv, an online platform for streaming classical music videos, offering over a hundred live broadcasts each year including international concerts, operas and ballets.

About the Santa Clara County Library District
The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) promotes knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment. Its collection includes more than 1.9 million books, videos, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, eBooks and extensive online resources accessible from home or work.

In 2014, SCCLD celebrated one hundred years of service to local residents. For the last several years, SCCLD has been consistently recognized as one of America’s Star Libraries by Library Journal. In 2014, SCCLD was ranked among the top ten large libraries in the United States in the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. In 2014 and 2015, SCCLD won Innovator Awards from the Urban Libraries Council.

The Santa Clara County Library District includes two bookmobiles, an online library, seven community libraries and one branch library serving Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Saratoga and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. In 2014, the Santa Clara County Library District had more than 225,000 library cardholders and welcomed 3.3 million visitors who borrowed 8.9 million items, making it one of the most used resources in the region. Visit Santa Clara County Library District online at www.sccl.org.