Want to learn a new language? Seminole libraries open learning labs
Want to learn to speak Spanish, Portuguese, German or Swahili?
Or maybe you’re planning a trip to Iceland, Denmark, Wales or Mauritania and would like to know a few basic phrases in the languages of Icelandic, Danish, Welsh or Wolof.
Thanks to a $90,000 donation from a longtime resident, the Seminole County Library System on Wednesday opened six new language-learning labs at the Jean Rhein Central Branch in Casselberry and at the four other county branch libraries.
Similar to a phone booth, each clear enclosure includes a chair, a desk and a computer screen with headphones and microphone, where library patrons can walk in, close the door and listen and speak one of the 110 languages offered.
With a valid library card, patrons can check out a lab for up to two hours per session.
“And, if you’re from another country and want to learn English quickly, you can do this here,” Seminole Commissioner Lee Constantine said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the Casselberry library branch while standing in front of the two language-learning labs.
“And it’s for all ages, whether you’re 11 or 91,” he said.
He later sat inside one of the booths, donned headphones and learned a few basic phrases in Ukrainian.
“Pryvit,” he said, the Ukrainian word for “hello.”
Christine Patten, Seminole’s library services manager, said branches are open seven days a week for a total of 64 hours a week. She pointed out that labs also will correct a user’s pronunciation.
“It’s a great tool if you’re planning to travel,” she said.
Bronwen Jurado, program manager for the Adult Literacy League, said her organization holds classes in the library and will use the labs to teach English conversation and language literacy skills.
The organization currently has students from 50 different countries who are fluent in 20 languages besides English.
“Our students are going to be thrilled,” Jurado said about the new labs. “They’re going to love it.”
Eventually, a new lab will open at the Altamonte Springs library, at 281 Maitland Ave., which is owned and operated by the city.
“I can see this helping kids in school who are having trouble learning a new language,” said Altamonte Springs Mayor Pat Bates. “It’s a blessing for the community.”
County officials said no other public library system in the state has a similar language-learning lab.
The language labs were purchased and installed with the donation from Harry Jacobs, a longtime Seminole resident, in honor of his wife’s parents, William J. and Gloria Goodman.
The Goodmans learned to speak English after immigrating to the United States from Poland in the 1930s as youngsters. William Goodman later served in the U.S. Army and owned a successful property development company.
The donation was made to the county library system to be used for the language arts, and the library staff developed the idea for the labs.
“We were inspired by Ms. Jacobs’ family story, and we hope it inspires others,” Patten said.
The Jean Rhein Central Branch is at 215 N. Oxford Road, Casselberry. The East Branch Library is at 310 Division St., Oviedo. The North Branch Library is at 150 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford. The Northwest Branch Library is at 580 Green Way, Lake Mary. The West Branch Library is at 245 N. Hunt Club Blvd., Longwood.
