Connect with us

Technology

Gale and State Library of Louisiana Provide Residents Access to 25,000+ Free Online Courses for Skills Development

Published

on

Online Learning Platform, Gale Presents: Udemy, Available On-Demand Through Louisiana Public Libraries

BATON ROUGE, La. and FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., May 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — To support lifelong learning and workforce preparedness, the State Library of Louisiana and Gale, part of Cengage Group, have partnered to provide public libraries across the state with access to online learning platform, Gale Presents: Udemy. Available at no charge through all 334 public library locations across the state, the platform provides public library cardholders unlimited access to more than 25,000 continuously updated, on-demand video courses for personalized learning and upskilling across a variety of categories such as business, IT certifications, creative arts, personal finance, technology, wellness and more.

 

With Gale Presents: Udemy, more educational resources are accessible to Louisianans through their public libraries.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana’s unemployment rate is 4.3%, compared to the national average of 3.8%.

 “We decided to invest in Gale Presents: Udemy to make more educational resources accessible to residents through their public libraries, especially to those in rural and other underserved areas,” said Meg Placke, Louisiana’s state librarian. “In an increasingly digital world, 20% of Louisianans don’t have home internet access, meaning that for many, public libraries are bridging the connectivity gap to provide patrons access to technology and digital resources they might not have otherwise been able to access. So, our partnership with Gale is not just an opportunity to promote digital literacy among patrons, but to also help create economic growth within our communities through the public library.”

Gale Presents: Udemy offers Louisianans:

On-Demand Access to 25,000+ Courses: patrons can upskill effectively with high-quality courses covering the technical and business skills in-demand for today’s workforce.

Variety of Categories and Topics: courses cover content on leadership and management, personal finance, language learning, wellness, technology, marketing, creative arts, IT operations, generative AI, data science, project management, human resources, sales, accounting and finance, productivity and more.

Supplemental Course Materials: helps reinforce learning and put newly learned skills into practice. More than 60% of courses in Gale Presents: Udemy include assignments, quizzes, practice tests and coding exercises. Additionally, 90% of the courses offer subtitles and/or transcripts for video lectures to support diverse learning styles.

Current and Relevant Content: courses are updated or replaced regularly with new material on emerging topics, ensuring learners are developing skills with the most up-to-date content available on the market.

Extend Learning Paths with Smart Recommendations: based on previous interactions with the platform, course suggestions intelligently guide patrons to additional courses applicable to the skill they’re developing.

World-Class Instructors: patrons are taught by leading diverse experts who are world-class thought leaders, subject matter experts, bestselling authors and award-winning professors that are making advancements in their fields. Patrons can find an instructor whose expertise, identity and teaching style fit their learning preferences.

15,000+ International Collection Courses: offers thousands of courses taught by instructors in their native language, going beyond traditional content dubbing and video captions, helping libraries reach their diverse communities. Languages include Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish.

Unlimited Access, Anytime, Anywhere: patrons can upskill flexibly on their schedule with unlimited access via computer, tablet or smartphone. Available on iOS and Android, the Udemy app allows patrons to download courses to view content offline, listen with podcast-style audio and stream content using Chromecast or AirPlay.

Calcasieu Parish Public Library currently offers Gale Presents: Udemy and says its variety of subject areas and the quality of courses is what keeps their patrons engaged and interested. In 2023, Gale Presents: Udemy was one of their resources that saw the highest usage increase with 66% more course enrollments than 2022.

“Gale Presents: Udemy has proven versatile in its uses to serve our patrons,” said Sheryl Chaisson, collection and computing services director at Calcasieu Parish Public Library. “Our library system is currently planning makerspaces, and the resource is making it easy to curate tutorials for patrons to use with the spaces’ offerings. The frequency of additions to course content also allows our patrons to stay up-to-date in their learning at a pace our print collection is not always able to keep up with.”

“We partnered with the State Library of Louisiana because we mutually believe that public libraries transform communities and play a vital role in skills development for lifelong learning that sparks economic growth,” said Shawn Clark, senior vice president of Gale’s domestic learning business. “The diverse range of educational resources and online courses that Gale Presents: Udemy offers helps Louisianans remain adaptive and competitive in a rapidly changing economy as well as supports their career growth and personal development, creating a culture of learning.”

Gale Presents: Udemy is available to any Louisiana resident with a public library card through the Louisiana Library Connection.

About Cengage Group and Gale
Cengage Group, an education technology company serving millions of learners in 165 countries, advances the way students learn through quality digital experiences. The company currently serves the K-12, higher education, professional, library, English language teaching and workforce training markets worldwide. Gale, part of Cengage Group, provides libraries with original and curated content, as well as the modern research tools and technology that are crucial in connecting libraries to learning and learners to libraries. For more than 65 years, Gale has partnered with libraries around the world to empower the discovery of knowledge and insights – where, when and how people need it. Gale has 500 employees globally with its main operations in Farmington Hills, Michigan. For more information, please visit www.gale.com.

Follow Gale on:

X (formerly Twitter)Gale BlogFacebookLinkedInInstagramYouTube

About The State Library of Louisiana 
Founded in 1925, the State Library of Louisiana provides Louisianans access to more than 11 million items through its own collection and electronic resources combined with a statewide online lending network of public libraries, and remains committed to creating ever-increasing opportunities for citizens to experience the value of libraries and reading.

Media Contacts:
Kayla Siefker, Gale, part of Cengage Group
248-378-3376
kayla.siefker@cengage.com

Daniel Monteverde, State Library of Louisiana
225-342-4930
dmonteverde@slol.lib.la.us

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gale-and-state-library-of-louisiana-provide-residents-access-to-25-000-free-online-courses-for-skills-development-302153753.html

SOURCE Gale, part of Cengage Group

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Real-World Study of Over 185,000 Users Finds Engagement with UpLife Digital Mental Health App Yields Significant Reductions in Depression and Anxiety

Published

on

By

Five-year evaluation shows a clear “dose–response” link between deeper engagement with UpLife’s CBT-based ‘Journeys’ programs and greater depression and anxiety symptom improvement

LEESBURG, Va., July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — UpLife Inc, a digital mental health and self-therapy platform, today announced a set of research findings from a large real-world evaluation of its app, showing that people who engaged with the platform reported statistically significant reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety over time. The evaluation drew on five years of real-world data from an engaged user base of more than 185,000 people across the United States and 197 other countries worldwide.

“These results reflect what we hear from users every day, now backed by data at real-world scale. What stands out is the dose–response signal where the people who lean into the work by completing their Journeys and doing the exercises are the ones who get the most out of it.” Jeff Musa, CEO, UpLife

The research analysis examined anonymized data collected between 2021 and 2026 using three validated clinical outcome measures: the PHQ-9 (depression), the GAD-7 (anxiety), and the WHO-5 (well-being). Among UpLife users who completed assessments at baseline and follow-up, depression and anxiety scores decreased significantly over time.

In the fully adjusted analysis, average depression scores (PHQ-9) fell by approximately 3.7 points; moving the typical UpLife user from the “moderately severe” range toward the “moderate” range. Anxiety scores (GAD-7) showed comparable significant reductions over time.

A clear dose–response relationship

One of the study’s central findings was a consistent dose–response pattern regarding the relationship between engagement and outcomes. Users who completed UpLife’s CBT-based ‘Journeys’ experienced a reduction in their symptoms. The study also found that the completion of additional Journeys were associated with a further measurable decrease in their assessment scores, even after accounting for subscription type and other factors. Notably, depth of engagement with therapeutic content was a stronger predictor of improvement than simply the amount of time spent in the app.

“These results reflect what we hear from users every day, now backed by data at real-world scale. What stands out most is the dose–response signal where the people who lean into the work by completing their Journeys and doing the exercises are the ones who get the most out of it. That tells us our job is to keep building an experience that helps people stay engaged, because engagement is where the clinical value lives.” — Jeff Musa, Chief Executive Officer, UpLife

Built on cognitive behavioral therapy

UpLife delivers evidence-based psychological education and interventions grounded in the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) through five core features: structured Journeys, a Daily Plan, a Mood Tracker, journaling, and an AI assistant (“Lila”) that recommends relevant content from the platform. The app does not provide AI-generated therapy; its assistant only directs users to content that has been created, curated, and reviewed by clinicians.

For clinicians, UpLife also offers a HIPAA-compliant therapist portal that supports a Blended Care model, allowing providers to extend therapeutic support between sessions through structured digital programs, progress tracking, and shared assessments.

The platform has also been extensively used in humanitarian settings. Through UpLife’s Ukraine Humanitarian Gift Program, tens of thousands of users in Ukraine have received full, free access to a localized version of the app through UpLife’s Ukraine Humanitarian Gift Program.

About the evaluation

The study used an observational pre–post design based on real-world data and was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. As an observational evaluation without a control group, it demonstrates associations between app engagement and symptom improvement rather than establishing causation, and well-being scores (WHO-5) did not change significantly over the study period. The findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that CBT-based digital interventions can be associated with meaningful symptom reduction, while underscoring the central role of sustained user engagement.

About UpLife

Founded in 2019, UpLife is a digital mental health and self-guided therapy platform that is designed to help people improve their emotional well-being, build healthier thinking patterns, and develop positive daily habits through structured, evidence-based psychological programs. UpLife also provides a secure, HIPAA-compliant portal to help therapists and health systems to extend care beyond the through a Blended Care Therapy model. Learn more at www.uplifecare.com.

Media Contact

Matt Landry, UpLife, 1 617-699-7205, matt@thesecondrow.net, https://www.uplifecare.com/ 

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/real-world-study-of-over-185-000-users-finds-engagement-with-uplife-digital-mental-health-app-yields-significant-reductions-in-depression-and-anxiety-302829280.html

SOURCE UpLife

Continue Reading

Technology

TruHeight Joins Nordstrom and JCPenney Marketplaces as Wellness Brands Reshape the Department Store

Published

on

By

Family nutrition brand’s newest retail partnerships reflect a broader shift: health and wellness products are becoming a staple of platforms once reserved for fashion and apparel

LAS VEGAS, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TruHeight, the family nutrition brand, today announced it is joining the Nordstrom Marketplace and the JCPenney Marketplace, bringing its lineup of clean-label vitamins, gummies, protein shakes, and everyday nutrition products to two of America’s most iconic department store names.

The partnerships place TruHeight at the center of one of retail’s most notable shifts. Department stores and fashion-first marketplaces, long defined by clothing, shoes, and accessories, are rapidly expanding into health and wellness as consumers increasingly treat wellness as part of their everyday lifestyle rather than a separate shopping trip. For a generation of shoppers, the same platforms where they buy back-to-school outfits and activewear are becoming destinations for the products that fuel those activities.

“Five years ago, you wouldn’t expect to find a family nutrition brand next to denim and sneakers,” said Justin Rapoport, Co-CEO of TruHeight. “Today, wellness is part of how families shop for everything. Nordstrom and JCPenney recognize that, and we’re proud to bring family nutrition to their marketplaces.”

The move extends a period of rapid retail growth for TruHeight, which launched in 5,000 CVS stores nationwide in June following its national debut at Target earlier this year, and is also available at iHerb and on Amazon. With the addition of Nordstrom and JCPenney, TruHeight’s products will reach shoppers across drug, mass, e-commerce, and department store channels.

“Every retailer we add is a signal of the trust families place in our brand,” said Eden Stelmach, Co-Founder of TruHeight. “Department stores are where families have shopped together for generations. Meeting them there with simple, clean nutrition products is a natural next step.”

TruHeight products will be available on the Nordstrom and JCPenney marketplaces in the coming weeks, joining the brand’s existing availability at CVS, Target, iHerb, Amazon, and truheightvitamins.com.

About TruHeight
TruHeight is a family nutrition brand offering clean-label vitamins, gummies, protein shakes, and everyday nutrition products for kids, teens, and active families. Founded with a commitment to simple ingredients and convenient formats, TruHeight products are available at major retailers nationwide and online at truheightvitamins.com.

Media Contact
TruHeight Vitamins
Kim Brown
419189@email4pr.com
4704265920
truheightvitamins.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/truheight-joins-nordstrom-and-jcpenney-marketplaces-as-wellness-brands-reshape-the-department-store-302830436.html

SOURCE TruHeight Vitamins

Continue Reading

Technology

TrendyMinds Founder Trevor Yager Returns as CEO to Lead Agency’s Next Phase of Growth

Published

on

By

Veteran agency leader returns to accelerate TrendyMinds’ AI capabilities and advance the firm’s evolution as a strategic partner helping organizations drive growth, strengthen reputation, and navigate transformation.

INDIANAPOLIS, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trevor Yager has returned as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TrendyMinds, the Indianapolis-based agency he founded in 1995, while continuing to serve as Chairman. In this dual role, Yager has resumed direct involvement in day-to-day leadership, working alongside account and delivery teams on client work in addition to setting the agency’s strategic direction. As CEO, he is leading the company’s next phase of growth by advancing the firm’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities while strengthening its position as a strategic partner to organizations navigating growth and change.

Yager previously transitioned from CEO to Chairman as part of a planned leadership evolution that reflected both the agency’s maturity and his own exploration of future ownership opportunities. As AI has accelerated the pace of change across the industry, reshaping how organizations operate and compete, he made the decision to step back into the CEO role and lead TrendyMinds through its next chapter directly.

“Moving into the Chairman role was the right decision at the time because the Board, including myself, believed TrendyMinds needed to demonstrate it could thrive beyond its founder,” said Yager. “But after more than 30 years of leading through every major technology shift, I believe artificial intelligence represents one of the greatest opportunities our industry has ever seen. The environment shifted fast enough that it made sense for me to step back in and lead it personally, continuing to build the capabilities our clients will need and position the agency for what’s next.”

Beginning in 2019, TrendyMinds became increasingly intentional about optimizing the artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation capabilities already embedded within the technologies used across the agency. Following a comprehensive assessment of AI-enabled tools and workflows, the agency integrated AI across strategy, research, creative development, marketing operations, and internal business processes while establishing governance, security, and data protection standards to support responsible implementation.

By transforming its own business first, TrendyMinds refined its methodologies, validated new approaches, and built the operational discipline that now informs how it evaluates AI opportunities with clients. Today, TrendyMinds continues to expand its internal AI capabilities through a dedicated team of AI transformation specialists, developing proprietary workflows, audience intelligence tools, and implementation frameworks. Drawing on that experience, the agency helps clients responsibly evaluate and implement AI in ways that align with their business objectives, regulatory requirements, and governance standards.

That experience also enables TrendyMinds to support clients developing innovative AI technologies, including a leading healthcare AI innovator. By combining firsthand AI transformation experience with strategic consulting, communications, and market positioning expertise, the agency helps organizations communicate complex technologies, build trust with stakeholders, and accelerate market adoption.

Founded as a traditional marketing agency more than 30 years ago, TrendyMinds has continually evolved alongside the changing needs of its clients, bringing together strategic consulting, integrated marketing, communications, creative, thought leadership, media relations, digital strategy and development, research, analytics, and emerging technologies.

About TrendyMinds

TrendyMinds is the Agency of Preference®, a multidisciplinary consulting partner helping organizations accelerate growth, strengthen and protect reputation, and navigate transformation. Founded in Indianapolis in 1995, the firm has spent more than 30 years uniting strategic consulting, communications, marketing, creative, technology, and data-driven insight into a single integrated practice built to solve complex business challenges.

Learn more at TrendyMinds.com.

Media Contact:
Claire Gregory
419095@email4pr.com | 317.902.6973

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trendyminds-founder-trevor-yager-returns-as-ceo-to-lead-agencys-next-phase-of-growth-302830444.html

SOURCE TrendyMinds

Continue Reading

Trending