Tag: digital literacy

Summer Reading Season Digital Literacy Services Raffles Week 4

Linda Reimer

Our Summer Reading Program Season is quickly passing by!

Check out our programs, all of which may be seen on the Calendar section of our website located at: http://ssclibrary.org/Calendar.html

And stop by the Reference Desk and ask us about our new Makerspace, Creation Station, and fill out a raffle ticket to win one of our weekly gift bags! (and this week we have three of them as seen in the photos!) You can also drop by Creation Station during our summer hours of operation which are:

Tuesdays: 1 – 4 p.m.

And Thursdays: 5 – 8 p.m.

Have a great day!

Linda, SSCL

Note: If you click on the photos you’ll get a larger view!

Dig Lit Summer Reading Raffle Poster Week 4 July 25, 2015 James Taylor CD Bonus Raffle Poster Letter Size

Personal Technology (Digital Literacy) Programs @ The Library: August 2015

Linda Reimer

Here is a listing of our upcoming Personal Technology, AKA Digital Literacy, programs — for August 2015.

Also included on the list is a description of our new Makerspace, Creation Station, and its hours of operation for August.

Check it out!
Linda, SSCL

P.S. Feel free to print off and share copies of this flyer — just note it has been created to print on a legal size sheet of paper.

Here’s a photo of the flyer:

SSCL Digital Literacy Services Programs August 2015

And a link to a PDF version:

SSCL Digital Literacy Services Programs August 2015

Have a great weekend!

Linda, SSCL

Adult Services, Digital Literacy & Creation Station Events Week of July 20, 2015

Linda Reimer

Tuesday, July 21, 2015:

Creation Station, The Southeast Steuben County Library’s Makerspace, will be open from 1- 4 p.m.

Pop Artist Michael Albert: Adult & Young Adult Program: Join author and artist Michael Albert for a presentation about his modern pop art and then create your family’s own ‘cerealism’ piece of artwork. Space is limited, so please sign up by calling or stopping by the Children’s Dept. 936-3713 ext. 503.

Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Pop Artist Michael Albert: Family Program: Join author and artist Michael Albert for a presentation about his modern pop art and then create your family’s own ‘cerealism’ piece of artwork. Space is limited, so please sign up by calling or stopping by the Children’s Dept. 936-3713 ext. 503.

Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Freegal Music, OverDrive & Zinio: This program walks you through the steps of how to access digital library content. We’ll focus on how you checkout and enjoy E-Books, Digital Audiobooks, Streaming Video, Digital Music & Digital Magazines – all for free!

A library card is required to access digital library materials and if you don’t have one – we’ll sign you up for one during the program.

Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Creation Station, The Southeast Steuben County Library’s Makerspace, will be open from 5-8 p.m.

Corning Area Writer’s Group: Inject some socialization into your solo writing time by join the library’s Adult Creative Writers Group for conversation, inspiration and feedback on writing projects. No sign up is required. This group meets every Thursday from 6-8 pm. On the third Thursday of the month the group meets in the library. On the other Thursdays the group meets at Soul Full Cup CoffeeHouse.

For more information, please call Adult Services Director Michelle Wells at (607) 936-3713 ext. 209 or email wellsm@stls.org.

Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Saturday, July 25, 2015:

Firefly Screening and Cosplay: Firefly was a great example of the antiheroes we still love. Join us for a screening of the TWO different pilot episodes that were made and talk about what you loved best about the show.

Come in costume as one of the characters and win a prize!

Start Time: 4:00 p.m.

Available During Each Week:

One-On-One Personal Technology Sessions are available by appointment during the week! You can make an appointment with a member of our Digital Literacy Services staff to learn how to use a new computer, Mac, e-reader, tablet, smartphone or a variety of software including the Microsoft Office Suite and more; at a variety of times throughout each week.

This is a free service the library offers!

To make an appointment call the library at: 607-936-3713

Or send an email to us at: DIGLIT@STLS.ORG

Digital Literarcy Services Logo

SSCL Dig Lit Summer Reading Program Season Raffle Week 3

Linda Reimer

Our Digital Literacy Services department is raffling off two prizes each week in honor of it being the Summer Reading Season, and, in celebration of the opening of the library’s new Makerspace — Creation Station!

You can fill out a raffle ticket, at the Reference Desk, by simply asking a staff member about Creation Station, by attending a Dig Lit program or a One-On-One session.

And if you’re interested in creating items — and that can be anything from crafts, to novels to 3 D printed projects — stop by our Creation Station Tuesdays between 1-4 p.m. and/or Thursdays between 5-8 p.m.

And if you have questions about Creation Station just ask us!

Have a great day!
Linda, SSCL

Dig Lit Summer Reading Raffle Poster Week 3 July 20, 2015

Adult Services, Digital Literacy & Makerspace Events Week of June 29, 2015

Linda Reimer

Thursday, July 2, 2015

SSCL’s Makerspace, Creation Station, Grand Opening: Hours of Operation: 1-4 & 5-8: To answer the obvious question that some people will have regarding our Makerspace – that being simply “What is a Makerspace?” We’re going to offer a little bit of recent library history!

Public libraries have always been places where people can go to access information, to acquire knowledge, learn new skills and create projects.

With the dawn of the Computer & Internet Age public libraries expanded their offerings to patrons and became places where anyone could go to use computers and the Internet for free; and create computer based projects that they could then share with others across the globe.

And the role of offering patrons access to technology that they can use  to learn and create projects has evolved in the last few years to include yet a new role – that of offering patrons designated places within public libraries where they can go to create  computer & 3 D Printer projects, audio projects, video projects and even more traditional hands on projects including sewing, knitting, crafting, and scrapbooking projects.

These new creation places within public libraries are known as Makerspaces.

In keeping with the times, the Southeast Steuben County Library has just installed a Makerspace, which is called the Creation Station, and on July 2 it will be open for business.

Corning Area Writer’s Group: Inject some socialization into your solo writing time by join the library’s Adult Creative Writers Group for conversation, inspiration and feedback on writing projects. No sign up is required. This group meets every Thursday from 6-8 pm. On the third Thursday of the month the group meets in the library. On the other Thursdays the group meets at Soul Full Cup CoffeeHouse.

For more information, please call Adult Services Director Michelle Wells at (607) 936-3713 ext. 209 or email wellsm@stls.org.

Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Spin a Yarn! Crochet and Knitting with Shelby and Jenna: Bring in a knitting or crochet project you are working on, get instructions or help or use club materials to make something for a greater good. For more details, call (607)936-3713. All skill levels welcome.

Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Monday – Friday: One-On-One Sessions: One-On-One personal technology assistance sessions are available at the library at a variety of times through the week by appointment.

If you’ve purchased a new laptop, e-reader, smartphone or tablet and have questions about how to use it – give our Digital Literacy Service staff a call and we’ll set up a time for you to come in and meet with one of our specialist to learn the usage ropes of your device.

And if you have questions about how to use the Internet, how to send email, how to Skype, how to use software including: Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, iTunes or Windows Media Player likewise call us to make an appointment today.

One-On-One sessions are available for free! Just contact us in person at the library, by telephone at 607-936-3713 or by sending an email to us at: DIGLIT@STLS.ORG

Time: Appointments are available at a variety of times during library hours of operation. Call the library for the library for additional information.

All library programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Library, SSC.

The library will be closed on Friday, July 3 and Saturday July 4 in observance of the 4th of July.

We’ll reopen on Monday, July 6 @ 9 a.m.

Have a great week!

Linda, SSCL

Adult Services & Digital Literacy (AKA Personal Technology) Programs Week of June 1, 2015

Linda Reimer

Tuesday, June 2, 2015:

Computer Security & Privacy Workshop: Computer Science expert D. J. Dates will host this program. Workshop attendees will gain insight on how to safely travel around their computer and the Internet. D. J. will also discuss Encryption and Script Blocking!

Registration is required for this program. To register please call us at: 607-936-3713 or send an email to us at: DIGLIT@STLS.ORG

Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Microsoft Excel: Course I: Learn the latest features of Microsoft Excel 2010. This tutorial will walk you through Cell Basics and how to Modify Columns, Rows and Cells. We invite you to bring your own laptop (if you have Excel 2010), and will provide laptops for those who need them.

Registration is required for this program. To register please call us at: 607-936-3713 or send an email to us at: DIGLIT@STLS.ORG

Time: 2:00 pm-4:00pm

Thursday, June 4, 2015:

Corning Area Writer’s Group: Inject some socialization into your solo writing time by join the library’s Adult Creative Writers Group for conversation, inspiration and feedback on writing projects. No sign up is required. This group meets every Thursday from 6-8 pm. On the third Thursday of the month the group meets in the library. On the other Thursdays the group meets at Soul Full Cup CoffeeHouse. For more information, please call Adult Services Director Michelle Wells at (607) 936-3713 ext 209 or email wellsm@stls.org.

Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Spin a Yarn! Bring in a knitting or crochet project you are working on, get instructions or help or use club materials to make something for a greater good. For more details, call (607)936-3713. All skill levels welcome.

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Friday, June 5, 2015:

Friday Night Free Film: 50/50 (2011): Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen team up to beat the odds in a film that Rolling Stone calls achingly hilarious and heartfelt. Diagnosed with spinal cancer, 27 year old Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) navigates the road to recovery with the sometimes overbearing support of his crude best friend (Rogen), his smothering mother (Angelica Huston) and an inexperienced therapist (Anna Kendrick). Inspired by a true story of writer Will Reiser, 50/50 is an honest yet hysterically funny account of a young man’s journey toward healing. MPAA Rating: R. Run Time: 100 minutes.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1306980/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Also…

The Library offers One-On-One Personal Technology Assistance Sessions by Appointment:

  • If you have questions about any of the material we cover in our Digital Literacy programs

 

  • If you can’t make a program but would like to know more about the subject we’re covering in a program

 

Or

 

  • If you have questions about how to use a new tablet, smartphone, e-reader or a piece of software —

 

You can make an appointment with a member of our Digital Literacy Services staff to come to the library at a time that is convenient for you and we’ll answer your tech usage questions or go over the material we cover in any of our tech programs!

 

It is a free service the library offers!

 

You can make an appointment in person at the library, by telephoning 607-936-3713, or by sending an email to our Digital Literacy Services Department at: DIGLIT@STLS.ORG

Tech Stories For Your Weekend Reading Pleasure: Week of 11/17 – 11/21/2014

Linda Reimer

Hi everyone, the library is closed tomorrow, Friday, November 21, 2014 for a combo Staff Development and Library Rug Cleaning day; thus my list of personal technology related stories you might have missed this week is coming to you a bit early!

Here is a list of seven interesting personal technology related articles you might have missed during the week of 11/17 – 11/21/2014.

Article 1. The Creation of Artificial Retinas: In a collaborative effort researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’ Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and Newcastle University in Britain are have created and are testing artificial retina films. This technology when perfected should allow persons who have lost their sight due to macular degeneration to regain vision!

Here’s a link to a Business Standard article on the subject:

http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/artificial-retina-could-help-restore-vision-of-elderly-114111300902_1.html

Artificial retina could help restore vision of elderly. (2014, November 13). Business Standard. Online.

Article 2. The Right To Be Forgotten Vs. Google: In Europe there has been a major league, and ongoing flap and court case, over the amount of information Google, and other online companies, compile and keep versus the rights of persons to have their personal information deleted from Internet – basically for them to be forgotten as far as the online records goes.

The Guardian offers and interesting story that sheds light on this complicated and controversial subject – here’s the link:

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/11/right-to-be-forgotten-more-questions-than-answers-google

Floridi, Luciano. (11 November, 2014). Right to be forgotten poses more questions than answers. The Guardian. Online. Accessed November 17, 2014.

Article 3. The Bullying Of Women Online: NPR offered an article this week on the problem of women being bullied in online forums – here’s the link:

http://www.npr.org/2014/11/16/364479377/why-women-get-the-worst-of-internet-bullying

Why Women Get The Worst Of Internet Bullying. (16 November, 2014). NPR. Online. Accessed November 17, 2014.

Article 4. iCloud Guide: Re/Code offered a neat how-to use Apple’s iCloud feature to store photos this week – here’s the link:

http://recode.net/2014/11/19/apples-icloud-photo-library-a-quick-how-to-guide/

Boehret, Katherine. (19 November, 2014). Apple’s iCloud Library: A Quick-To Guide. re/code.Online. Accessed November 19, 2014.

Article 5. Libraries In The Digital Age: The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle featured a cool article this week on just how public libraries have changed in our modern high tech age – and they are right! As some who started working in the public library field in 1984; I concur with the assessment that public libraries today offer books and a great deal more– with a large slice of that great deal more being personal technology related materials and services.

Here’s a link to the RD&C article:

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2014/10/25/libraries-competing-digital-age/17897503/

McDermott, Meaghan. (25 October, 2014). How libraries are competing in the digital age. Democrat & Chronicle. Onlie. Accessed November 19, 2014.

Article 6. Samsung Launches New Milk Video Service For Galaxy Phone Users: Samsung launched a new video service this week for Galaxy phone users. This new service is free and helps Galaxy phone users more easily find popular online videos.

Here’s a link to a CNET story on the subject:

http://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-dives-into-video-with-milk-video-but-only-for-galaxy-phone-users/

Tibken, Shara., & Solsman, Joan. (19 November, 2014).Samsung aims for a splash with Milk Video — but only for Galaxy phone users

Article 7. Texting Can Be Dangerous To Your Spine: NPR also offered a story this week on the amount of pressure your spine endures when you lean forward to read, send and type text messages. And I think we better all hold our heads up higher when we text!

Here’s a link to the article:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/11/20/365473750/keep-your-head-up-text-neck-can-take-a-toll-on-the-spine

Sullivan, Laura. (20 November, 2014). Keep Your Head Up: ‘Text Neck’ Takes A Toll On The Spine. NPR. Online. Accessed November 20, 2014.

And in case anyone is wondering — the library will indeed be open our normal hours of operation on Saturday, November 22, 2014 of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — come and see us!

Have a great weekend!

Linda, SSCL

If You’ve Got Amazon Prime — You Now Have Access To A New Streaming Music Service!

Linda Reimer

For anyone who isn’t familiar with Amazon Prime – it a service Amazon offers customers for $99 a year; and it includes free 2nd shipping on items purchased from Amazon, free access to Amazon’s Instant Video Library, one free read of an e-book from Amazon’s Lending Library per month and now free access to the brand new Amazon Prime Music Service. Prime Music looks like its going to be similar to Pandora sans the ads.

Here’s a link to a LA Times article on the new Prime Music Service:

http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-amazon-prime-music-service-20140611-story.html

And one that takes you directly to the Amazon Prime Music page:

http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=sa_menu_prime_music?ie=UTF8&node=8335758011

And as soon as I have a chance to really check out the Amazon Prime Music Service, which seems to have launched today, I’ll post an update on this blog.

Have a great day!

Linda R.

P.S. Don’t forget we offer free digital literacy assistance by appointment at the library! So if you have a new e-reader, laptop, smartphone or other tech device and are wondering how to use it — call us today to make an appointment — it is free! You can make appointments in person at the library, by phone – Tel: 607-936-3713 and via email: DIGLIT@STLS.ORG

New Weekly 5 Minute Personal Tech Tips & Tricks Video Series

Linda Reimer

The SSCL Digital Literacy Team is launching a new series of weekly 5 Minute Tech videos!

The idea is to present basic personal technology tip and tricks in 5 minutes or less.

And this week our video clip shows you how to clear your web browsing history with a keyboard shortcut. 

Clearing your web browsing history is a useful trick to know in case you ever use a computer that is not your own to access your email, your banking information or simply to search the web — because if you clear your browsing history on a computer that is not your own — then that computer won’t remember which web pages you’ve looked at!

This video, and feature weekly 5 Minute Tech videos can be accessed via this blog or on YouTube.

Here’s the YouTube link for this weeks’ video:

http://youtu.be/FjCcHX_om-M 

Have a great holiday weekend!

Linda R.

Free Digital Literacy Assistance Can Be Found At The Southeast Steuben County Library!

Linda Reimer

Did you know that if you live locally you can obtain free digital literacy assistance at the Southeast Steuben County Library?

 

You can!

 

And if you’re pondering what exactly I mean by digital literacy assistance let me explain!

 

Digital literacy is simply fancy computer-speak that translated into everyday American English means we assist patrons in learning how to use their tablets, e-readers, laptops, smartphones and other tech devices.

 

For example, some of the items we assist patrons in learning how to include learning how to:

 

  • Use the iPad to access the Internet, send & receive email, get apps from the App Store and more!

 

  • Create a free e-mail account, send & receive email

 

  • Use Microsoft Word to type letters, resumes and other documents

 

  • Use Microsoft PowerPoint to create slideshows and presentations

 

  • Use Skype to make video phone calls

 

  • Use the Internet to search for information

 

  • Learn to use the e-reader, laptop or tablet your kids gave you for your birthday

 

  • And more!

 

To learn how to use your new gadget or software simply call the library and make an appointment for a free One-On-One session with a member of the library’s Digital Literacy Services team – Linda (that’s me!) or Jenn.

 

We can be reached by phone at the following number: 607-936-3713 ext. 502

 

Or you can send an email to us at: DIGLIT@STLS.ORG

 

Have a great Tuesday!

Linda R.

 

P.S. If you don’t live locally you can still access our blog for instructional material regarding computer, tablet and e-reader usage – simply go to our Tech Talk blog located at: https://sscltech.wordpress.com/ and click on the Online Tech Tutorials link. I’ll be adding more documents to that section later today!