LearningExpress Library Now Available in Ohio

Ohio Libraries, Summer 2005 by Byrnes, Jane

As of July 1, the LearningExpress Library is available to all Ohio residents through the state's public libraries, K-12 schools, colleges and community colleges, and adult education centers. LearningExpress Library provides online, interactive practice tests, career-building tools, and writing aides.

The two-year pilot project is funded by the State Library of Ohio and OPLIN, with an additional Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant to Libraries Connect Ohio, a collaborative project of the State Library of Ohio, OPLIN, OhioLINK, and INFOhio. Ohionet is also a partner on the project. LearningExpress Library joins the core research databases Libraries Connect Ohio provides Ohio residents.

LearningExpress Library offers students and adults unlimited, 24x7 access to targeted skill-building interactive courses in math, reading, and writing, as well as hundreds of online interactive practice tests that prepare them for several types of exams, including grade school achievement tests, the SAT GED, US Citizenship, and civil service positions. Complete answer explanations accompany each response so that patrons understand why a particular answer is correct or incorrect.

All practice tests include instant diagnostic score reports that help patrons to target those skill areas that need the most attention. To help students master the SAT and recently added essay, instant score reports provide immediate feedback on how well they performed in each of five writing skill areas.

LearningExpress Library can be accessed from any Web-enabled computer in the library, computer lab, office, or home.

"I am pleased that we can offer this service as a pilot program. With libraries across the state, we want to assist Ohio residents in achieving their educational and vocational goals. LearningExpress Library should prove to be a helpful tool in this endeavor," said Jo Budler, State Librarian of Ohio.

"We are pleased to be able to provide Ohio with a service that will address a broad spectrum of needs among library patrons throughout the state. Now, patrons will have unlimited access to online practice tests and courses that will help them to improve their skills and prepare them for success," said Barry Lippman, President and CEO of LearningExpress, LLC.

BY JANE BYRNES

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, STATE LIBRARY OF OHIO

Jane Byrnes is Public Information Officer for the State Library of Ohio. She can be contacted at (614) 644-6875 or jbyrnes@sloma.state.oh.us.