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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link="#0E618C" vlink="#516E7D"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'> mjts-bounces@merit.edu [mailto:mjts-bounces@merit.edu] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Merit Network<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, December 18, 2013 3:15 PM<br><b>To:</b> mjts@merit.edu<br><b>Subject:</b> Featured Story on Portage Lake District Library<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=700 style='width:525.0pt'><tr style='height:93.75pt'><td colspan=3 valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:93.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:10.5pt'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><img width=700 height=125 id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://www.merit.edu/goto/images/emailheader3.jpg" alt="Merit Network"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td width=10 valign=top style='width:7.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:10.5pt'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=680 valign=top style='width:510.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div id=mainblogtext><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:12.75pt'><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#35709A'>A Dynamic Community Resource<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:12.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#047970'>Portage Lake District Library provides an abundance of free, quality resources for its members.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:12.0pt'><em><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#444444'>By Brian Warkoczeski, December 2013 </span></em><i><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#444444'><br><br></span></i><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#444444'>With a wealth of online and interactive resources, <a href="http://www.pldl.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style='color:#3B8CA0'>Portage Lake District Library</span></b></a> (PLDL) is a community treasure in picturesque Houghton, Michigan. The Library has invested in new technology and web-based tools that provide its members with a growing number of ways to read, research, and learn. <br><br>In November, PLDP debuted its new videoconferencing suite, which features H.323 polycom technology and a 5-feet-by-4-feet high-definition screen. PLDL acquired the video conferencing system from Northern Michigan University. <br><br>"It works beautifully, like you're right there," said Shawn Leche, director of Portage Lake District Library. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:12.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#047970'>Gettysburg Address Anniversary<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#444444'>Portage Lake District Library hosted the 8th grade class from Chassell Township School for the first event to use videoconferencing system, a celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. Using H.323 videoconferencing over Internet2, the students joined others across the United States for ceremonies conducted at the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The program through Internet2's K20 initiative was made possible through the library's relationship with Merit Network and Superiorland Library Cooperative. <br><br>"Students watched the deliverance of the Gettysburg Address speech and a swearing-in ceremony led by Anthony Scalia of the Supreme Court," Leche said. "Immigrants from Belgium, Germany, the Ivory Coast, and South Africa were sworn in as United States citizens, and they played a clip from President Obama addressing the new citizens from the White House." <br><br>The Library plans to offer periodic educational programs at its new telepresence center and to make it available to individuals in the community for job interviews, health consultations, and other interactive uses. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#444444'><img border=0 width=556 height=313 id="_x0000_i1026" src="http://www.merit.edu/news/features/stories/images/pldl_event.jpg" alt="Featured Stories: Portage Lake District Library - Merit
Network, Inc."><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:12.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#047970'>A Library Without Walls<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#444444'>Portage Lake District Library also offers numerous free online resources that its members can use at the library or at home with a computer, iPad or iPhone. The goal of the online offerings is to create a "library without walls," as Shawn Leche likes to call it, where library members can access resources wherever it is convenient. <br><br>"We have a wonderful collection here. Our collection specialist knows the needs of the community," Leche stated. <br><br>Online resources include: <o:p></o:p></span></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#444444;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Little Pim</span></b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>: Children, ages 2-8, can learn a foreign language, including Spanish, French, Dutch, Mandarin Chinese, and much more. "It's one of the best language offerings in the country," Leche said. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#444444;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Law Depot</span></b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>: The resource permits patrons to perform most if not all of the legal transactions that are available through an attorney, such as setting up a will or incorporating a business. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#444444;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Mango Languages</span></b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>: The program teaches 95 foreign languages and four English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) courses. "It offers two tracks: one for if you're going to visit a country and another for if you want to learn a language," Leche said. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#444444;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Universal Class</span></b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>: The resource offers over 500 online classes taught by real instructors. Students can earn continuing education credits. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#444444;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Zinio</span></b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>: A subscription service that offers over 130 magazines digitally, which can be downloaded to a computer, iPad, Kindle Fire, iPad, or Android device. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#444444;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:12.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Ancestry.com</span></b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>: Patrons can do their genealogy using the computers at the library. <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#444444'>The online resources are free for individuals who have a library card, and they have become so popular that PLDL increasingly has requests from people in nearby communities to use the resources. To accommodate those patrons, the library offers library memberships for individuals or families for a fee. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:12.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#047970'>Connectivity & Community<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:12.0pt'><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
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Network, Inc." v:shapes="_x0000_s1026"><![endif]><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#444444'>In early 2013, Merit Network completed a fiber-optic connection to Portage Lake District Library, which dramatically increased the connection speeds for patrons who use the library's computers. It also helped the library's free Wi-Fi network. <br><br>"Everybody loves it. The fiber-optic connection really makes it possible to use the online programs that stream things through web sites," according to Leche. <br><br>The improved connectivity has helped PLDL's computer literacy classes, which are offered once a week. Graduate students from Michigan Technological University, a Merit Governing Member, which is not far from the library, teach the classes and show attendees how to use computers and download books from the Internet. <br><br>The computer literacy classes are among the many in-person programs that are offered at Portage Lake District Library during the year. <br><br>"Everything from Cinco de Mayo to music festivals to children's programs. We have a very good program director, Christine Alquist," Leche stated. "Our stamp clubs are very popular with seniors, and we offer programs on investments and the affordable care act." <br><br>Portage Lake District Library serves a diverse community--from young children and teens to college students and senior citizens. The quality of the programs is always top-notch, and the cost for its members to use the numerous resources is free, whether you want to enjoy the speedy Internet connection at the Library or use your own device to access the numerous online resources from home. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:12.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#047970'>About the Portage Lake District Library<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#444444'><a href="http://www.pldl.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style='color:#3B8CA0'>Portage Lake District Library</span></b></a> is located at 58 Huron Street in Houghton, Michigan. The library first opened on Feb. 19, 1910, and it has been in its current location since 2006. The Library provides materials and services to help district residents obtain information meeting their personal, educational, and professional needs. <br><br>Portage Lake District Library has been a Merit Member since July 2011 and is connected to Merit's network via a 1 Gbps fiber-optic connection. They are also a member of the Superiorland Library Cooperative. <br><br><br><a href="http://merit.edu/news/features/" target="_blank"><b><span style='color:#3B8CA0'>Additional Featured Stories</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></td><td width=10 valign=top style='width:7.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:10.5pt'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";display:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=700 style='width:525.0pt'><tr><td valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center;line-height:10.5pt'><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><br><br><br>Merit Network, Inc.<br>1000 Oakbrook Drive, Suite 200, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104-6794<br>Phone: (734)527-5700 Fax: (734)527-5790 E-mail: <a href="mailto:www@merit.edu">www@merit.edu</a> <br><br><br><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>