Libraries Beyond Books: Translation, Training, and More
As Johnson County’s population becomes increasingly ethnically diverse, reaching non-native English speakers is a growing challenge for many businesses, governments, service organizations, and schools. The Johnson County Public Library, as part of our mission to connect people with resources, offers a solution. Our Translation Station allows you to scan documents in the original language and select from 100+ output languages. You receive a translated PDF or Word document within minutes.
The JCPL Adult Learning Center’s Lexmark Translation Assistant is available for anyone to use. You can make an appointment to have them help you in their office, or you can upload your document via a portal on our website. JCPL cardholders can translate up to ten pages a month at no charge. Additional pages, or translations for non-cardholders, are 50 cents per page.
It works best if you can upload a Word document or a PDF file. You also have the option to scan a document if you don’t have the original file. In this translated example of JCPL’s Welcome Brochure, you can see that graphics and pictures don’t change or translate. Anything in the PDF that was text is converted to the new language. View the PDF here.
Adult Learning Center Manager, Wendy Preilis, shares, “This past Sunday, we had a young boy, who was the interpreter for his older relative, come in requesting information about the ALC in Spanish. Thanks to the Translation Station, we were able to do that for them quickly.”
Gateway Services has been using this service, and Becky Allen shared her appreciation. “We are blessed that we can offer those that do not speak English as their first language information on our services. Johnson County Libraries are a blessing in disguise. If we didn't have your help with this, it would have cost a good deal of money to get these documents translated. Not only is it helping those that speak a different language, but it helps us to meet a Federal requirement so that we can continue to keep the wheels on the bus going round and round.”
JCPL not only saves you money on translation services but also offers other services for businesses and individuals. Each branch has a notary available. Simple documents can be notarized at no charge. Our notary availability is limited, so call ahead for an appointment.
If you run out of toner for your printer, or don’t have a printer, you can print from library branches or send your documents from home or your cell phone to have them printed. Black and white copies are 10 cents and color pages are 25 cents.
Other money-saving services include access to AtoZ Databases, which can help you find a job, a business, a person, or create mailing lists and sales leads. LinkedIn Learning can train you or your staff and Transparent Language Online can teach you to speak another language. Find these resources and others here.
And, of course, we still have books, movies and friendly staff ready to help you with your research or other needs. Stop in and say hello – we are always here to help!
