Peabody library to continue offering language program throughout January

PEABODY – Members of the Peabody Institute Library have a little longer than expected to use the well-commercialized Rosetta Stone language learning software.Originally expected to discontinue their subscription by Jan. 1, the library will continue to offer the program through to the end of the month. Thursday, Jan. 31 is now the last day for members to touch up on their foreign language of choice from the comforts of home.Libraries across the nation have had to stop offering the language tool to their members because the updated version simply does not work well with remote access use, said Peggy Lohmann, director of public relations, in an earlier interview.Rosetta Stone has been providing their program to public libraries since 2004. The Peabody Institute Library branches began offering the expensive computer-based learning instrument last January thanks to an eLiteracy grant for Internet access provided by the Verizon Foundation. The program cost nearly $3,000 for the year.Library staff are continuing their efforts to find a replacement for Rosetta Stone, as more than 50 people logged on each month to teach themselves. So far, the leading potential replacement is Auralog’s Tell Me More, which offers fewer languages, but follows similar teaching methods.