Ames Public Library strives to provide a welcoming and inclusive space for all community members.
Translation
Translator
Library staff members have translation devices to use with visitors.
The Travis Translator Devices can translate speech into 155 supported languages.
The library’s self checkout units can be used in Spanish, French, or Chinese
The library’s scanner/copier can be used in 25 languages and can translate documents into 74 languages.
Multilingual Resources
Multilingual Collections
The Library has growing World Language Collections, including adult and youth books, movies, and music in multiple languages.
The Library has books for adults in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Korean, Russian, and Spanish.
The Library has books for children in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Russian, Korean, and Spanish.
Movies and music are available in a variety of languages.
Read and Watch Online
Kanopy includes the following languages:
English, Spanish, French, Catalan, German, Italian, Arabic, Aymara, Basque, Gallegan, Guarini, Hebrew, Mandarin, Mayan, Portuguese, Quechua, Russian, and Swedish. (Go to filters – languages to select)
Bridges includes items in:
Spanish, Italian, German, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, German (Scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says “idiom”)
Hoopla includes items in:
Spanish, French, Russian, Italian, German, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic.
Research and Learn Online
Use premium online resources for free with your Library card by visiting the Library’s Online Learning webpage. Resources include legal forms, language learning tools, resume writing resources, homework help, computer tutorials, and more.
Several of the online resources offer information in multiple languages.
- Brainfuse offers live online tutoring in Spanish and English.
- NewsBank offers a number of different languages: Spanish, Afrikaans, Zulu, & more.
(This can be found by going to the A-Z Source List and sorting by language.) - NYTimes is available digitally in Spanish and Mandarin
- Wall Street Journal is available in Japanese and Chinese.
- Bookflix is available in Spanish.
Learning and Practicing Languages
Conversation Circles
Gather for casual conversations in different languages.
Conversation Circles meet every week, but you can come as often you want.
Gather (in person or online) for casual conversations in Chinese. Chat in your native language or get comfortable speaking in another language.
Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.
Gather (in person or online) for casual conversations in Russian. Chat in your native language or get comfortable speaking in another language.
Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.
Gather (in person or online) for casual conversations in French. Chat in your native language or get comfortable speaking in another language.
Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.
Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.
Gather (in person or online) for casual conversations in Spanish. Chat in your native language or get comfortable speaking in another language.
Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.
Gather (in person or online) for casual conversations in German. Chat in your native language or get comfortable speaking in another language.
Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.
Online Language Learning
Little Pim
Little Pim is the fun, easy way for kids ages 0-6 to learn a new language. Come explore with Little Pim, the adorable cartoon panda, as you discover a new language!
Mango Languages
Powered by intelligent technology and an adaptive algorithm, Mango empowers you to communicate with confidence, preparing you for uncharted experiences with language and culture. Challenge yourself to discover something new. Start the conversation.