Month: February 2014

STARCat Basics

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, as you may know STARCat is the name of our catalog of physical materials — and some digital materials too!

So here is a link to a PDF which offers you some basic tips as to how you can best search for items in STARCat:

StarCat Basics

The basic thing to remember about searching for items in STARCat is that if you’re not searching for a specific title or author but instead are searching for a subject — then you should use one or two broad search terms and not shoot for a really specific search as you would with Google.

For example, if you’re searching with Google you can indeed enter a search for “Sony Bravia TV repair manual” and you’ll get search results; however, if you enter that search into STARCat you won’t get any results — instead you can try searching with fewer search words and basic ones like “TV repair” — and then you’ll get results!

Of course the staff is always here to help at the library!

So if you have questions about how to use STARCat please let us know!

Have a great day!

Linda R.

New Monthly Senior Personal Technology Workshops @ The Library Update

Linda Reimer

We held the first in our new series of monthly personal technology programs for seniors today!

Refreshments were provided and will be for all future programs….

And here is a link to a PDF version of the hand out of the presentation we offered today.

Senior Personal Technology Series 2014 Program 1 Personal Technology Overview

Please take a look at the PDF and let us know if you have any suggestions for future programs — the two items we have on deck are e-books and digital music with iTunes.

We love feedback — so if you have any suggestions for any personal technology related subjects you’d like to see us cover in the future — please let us know!

You can simply reply to this posting, drop into the library, give us a call or send an email to us at:

DIGLIT@STLS.ORG

Have a great weekend!

Linda R.

New Monthly Senior Personal Technology Workshops @ The Library!

Linda Reimer

This Friday, February 14, 2014 we will host the first a new series of monthly senior personal technology workshops.

The debut workshop will start at 11:00 a.m. and run until noon.

And we’ll offer an overview of the personal technologies available today and ask for attendees to give us feedback regarding what personal technology subjects they’d like us to focus on in future programs.

Here’s a link to a PDF schedule of the monthly programs for the rest of 2014 and we’ll offer additional information regarding what subjects we’ll be covering in future programs – after we inquire what our patrons want at our first monthly program.

Senior Personal Technology Monthly Series 2014

And if you cannot attend this Fridays’ workshop – feel free to send us an email with your suggestions!

You can email us at: DIGLIT@STLS.ORG

Have a great day and we hope to see you Friday — or at one of our other workshops — soon!

Linda R.

 

February Personal Technology Programs @ The Library!

Linda Reimer

Google Searching: Learn how to use the popular search engine to find information on subjects that interest you! We’ll also discuss the differences between going to a website by its address and finding a website via a search engine (Google) search. And we’ll offer some helpful Internet navigation tips. Program Date/Time: Friday, February 7, 2014: 11:00 a.m. to noon.

iPad Workshop: This workshop offers new iPad owners an overview of how to use the iPad; and includes a discussion of useful suggested apps in categories that iPad owners might enjoy. The iPad app categories discussed include: News, Entertainment, Sports, Cooking, Games, Books, Weather and more! Program Date/Time: Monday, February 10, 2014, 11:00 a.m. to noon.

Senior Personal Technology: This is a new monthly program offering an overview of todays’ personal technology, i.e. tablets, e-readers, touch screen computers etc., interspersed with fun bits of information regarding new and upcoming technologies. Refreshments will be provided. Program Date/Time: February 14, 2014, 11:00 a.m. to noon.

Teen Tech Friday: This month we’ll learn how to use and create Word Clouds. To register call (607)936-3713 ext. 503 or email mcconnells@stls.org  Program Date/Time: Friday, February 21, 2014, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

iPhone Basics: You can do much more with an iPhone than to simply make a phone call! This workshop will offer tips on how to get the most out of your iPhone. We’ll discuss how to use the iPhone web browser and pre-installed apps. And we’ll also offer a list of suggested apps that you might like to install on your iPhone. Program Date/Time: Tuesday, February 25, 2014, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Dream & Create with Pinterest : Join hostess Jenn for a program based upon recipes and DIY projects found on the fun social networking/personal interest website – Pinterest! Each program offers a delicious recipe which we then use to create the delicious dish of the day and a home decorating craft. Program Date/Time: Wednesday, February 26, 2014, 10:30 a.m. to noon.

You can also make a free One-On-One appointment with a member of our

Digital Literacy Services team!

We’ll assist you in learning how to use a new computer, e-reader, tablet or other tech device you own (this includes learning how to use new software and create resumes)!

Just call the Reference & Technology Desk at 607-936-3713 extension 502 to make an appointment.  It is free!

Registration is required for library programs (just so we know how many people to set up for!). To register call the library at (607) 936-3713 or send an email to DIGLIT@STLS.ORG.

If you’d like to receive a PDF version of our monthly tech programs flyer send a request email to: diglit@stls.org or simply click on the following link to load the schedule (feel free to print off the schedule and/or share it!)

SSCL Digital Literacy Services Programs February 2014

Have a great day!

Linda R.

Roku & In Praise Media Streaming Players

Linda Reimer

Got Wi-Fi at home?

Do you like to watch TV shows and movies when you want to, listen to Pandora and possible international radio stations through TuneIn Radio?

If so then you might be interested in a streaming media player — You can plug one of these players into your TV and connect it to your Wi-Fi network and in about 5 minutes you can access videos and music from the Amazon Instant Video store, Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, Redbox, TuneIn Radio, Acorn TV and more!

The entry level Roku is a great streaming and can be found for sale for about $50. The Apple TV streamer costs $99 and just FYI the Google Chromecast, another streaming device that recently debuted and which currently offers accessed to fewer video services, costs about $35.

And I concur with Colin McGuire, the author of the article In Defense Of … A Roku Television Revolution — that the best option right now is a Roku Player because you get access to the best and widest selection of video and udio content.

I love listening to music streamed through my TV from Pandora, radio stations through TuneIn Radio, and the variety of TV shows offered through the PBS, Amazon Instant Video and Netflix apps!

Of course if you dwell in the Apple universe — the Apple TV box is a solid choice too! And for $35 the Google Chromecast would be a good choice for someone who is just a little bit curious about what this streaming video thing is all about!

Here’s the link to the McGuire’s article that praises the Roku player and offers some interesting insight into the evolution of streaming video services:

http://www.popmatters.com/column/178535-in-defense-of-a-roku-revolution/

Have a great weekend!
Linda R.