Ever wonder what we do here? Ever wonder how we can continue to provide new and updated services for all our wonderful patrons? Ever wonder what is new? The following is just two of the ways Montana libraries and the Montana State Library use funds to support our patrons and continually offer new and improved.
In support of our library’s mission to serve every reader in our community, the new Libby update (implemented in early January 2022) included several changes to improve the app’s accessibility for all users. Libby will display a message highlighting these changes when users receive the update.
The in-app menu will no longer open from the side of the app. Instead, it will fill the screen. It will still have Libby’s familiar look and feel. This will make keyboard and screen reader navigation more consistent and help all users concentrate on the task they are trying to perform in the menu.
The menu button in the navigation bar will be simplified to three horizontal bars, which is a familiar icon common in other apps and across the web.
Several accessibility improvements will help users better navigate Libby with assistive technologies like screen readers. Overdrive has refined the invisible labels and descriptions on all interactive elements, streamlined the presentation of information to screen readers, and improved keyboard focus indicators. These are in the app’s foundation and will only be noticeable to readers using assistive technologies.
In addition, this upcoming release will introduce a new menu with other accessibility features that any user can opt into. These options will be available under Menu > Settings > Accessibility Features and include: Reduce Color Variation, Reduce Text Variation, Reduce Motion, Reduce Haptics (device vibrations), and device orientation preferences.
For more information about accessibility in Libby, visit Libby Help [click.e.overdrive.com] or OverDrive’s accessibility statement [click.e.overdrive.com].
Great news for MTLibrary 2Go. From now until this time next year our library users can access Universal Classes, Method Test Prep, and The Great Courses. ARPA funds from Montana State Library are covering access to some extras on Overdrive and Libby from now until 12/15/22. The State Library is considering this a trial period to see how they are received, utilized and if they should be considered as part of the Overdrive package going forward. These courses are available on the Libby App for phones and tablets under the Extras section.
Universal Classes are also accessible from a web browser at: https://montanalibrary2go.universalclass.com/
Here is an example of the course catalog for Universal Class. All you need is your library card. They are FREE!!!!!!!! Accounting (over 45 online courses); Alternative Medicine (over 40 online courses); Crafts and Hobbies (over 70 online courses); Business (over 100 online courses); Career Training (over 100 online courses); Computer Training (over 55 online courses); Entrepreneurship (over 100 online courses); Finance (over 70 online courses); General Education (over 95 online courses); Health & Medicine (over 45 online courses); History (over 30 online courses); Homeschooling (over 45 online courses);How to/Do It Yourself (over 55 online courses); Language Arts (over 35 online courses); Law /Legal/Criminal (over 50 online courses); Mathematics (over 10 online courses); Office Skills (over 100 online courses); Parenting and Family (over 50 online courses); Personal Development (over 45 online courses); Pet and Animal Care (over 10 online courses); Psychology (over 65 online courses); Science (over 15 online courses); Self-Help (over 75 online courses); Social Work (over 45 online courses); Special Education (over 15 online courses); Spiritual Studies (over 35 online courses); Teacher Resources (over 70 online courses); Test Preparation (over 35 online courses [this includes preparation for SATs/ACTs); Web Development (over 35 online courses); and Writing Skills (over 55 online courses).
And of course you can still read your e-books, listen to your audio books and read your magazines online through Libby and Overdrive. Even Cupid delivers to libraries. Libraries – where you get more than your money’s worth.