New e-screen and software!

New at the Library is our e-screen.
Now when you enter the Library through the West Plaza Entrance (otherwise known as the sliding glass doors) be sure to look up at our new e-screen which shows all the programs happening at the Library, today and upcoming.
The e-screen is connected to a PowerPoint program running on a computer. PowerPoint programs can be edited and added to quickly and easily, and they can be set to run in a loop, continuously with set time intervals for viewing.

Also new are 2 software programs on the public computers: Photoshop Elements and PDF Creator. Adobe Photoshop Elements is a photo editing program which allows the user to maximize color, remove red eye, crop and edit photos. PDF Creator allows the user to take any Internet file or word document and turn it into a PDF file. The file can then be printed or emailed with ease.

Going Green with Print Management on October 27-28

In an effort to join the Green movement the Library will be changing its print system to Envisionware Print Management. We hope to reduce the amount of wasted and abandoned printouts and thereby reduce the amount of paper and toner used. Print management is a system that many libraries in the area use to management the printing of pages from the Internet and other computer programs. When you want to print you put in a password and send the print job to one of the brand new Kyocera printers. There is a black and white printer as well as a new color printer. Both printers are Ecosys printers which mean they to are going green, using less toner and fewer plastics. The cost of the prints will remain the same, 10 cents for black and white, 50 cents for color prints. Look for the installation on Monday and Tuesday October 27 and 28. Unfortunately we will have to close off all the public pcs on those two days for the installation.

Online Blunders

Consumer Reports recently featured an article about common mistakes that computer users make that can invite identity theft. They mention things like using the same password for multiple accounts or webpages, clicking on that ad that says your computer is not secure, downloading free screensavers and other software, and bragging that your mac computer doesn't get viruses.
Click here to read all 7 of the mistakes users make.

Self-checkout

You do it at the Grocery Store, you do it at the Home Depot, now you will be able to do it at the Library. Self-checkout! Coming in August is a fancy new workstation. Swipe your Library Card, and the items you want to check out. Take your printed receipt and go! Please come and check it out.

Screen savers and Going Green

Don Willmott on his Livewire blog for June 11, 2008 decries the continued use of screen savers! Screen savers were useful on the older monitors, but they are not on the new LCD monitors as there is no "burn-in," a permanent shadow branded onto the screen when static images were left on the screen for long periods of time.
Willmott says that if you are not sitting in front of your computer turn the monitor off. Or put the computer to sleep. And you will save money and energy.
Read Willmotts blog here.

Assistive Technology

We now have 2 Assistive Technology workstations, one in the Technology Center and one in the Children's Room. There are touch screen monitors, big key keyboards, trackballs and an ergonomic mouse. Noise reducing headphones are available as well as a scanner with document feed. The workstation can be adjusted up or down to allow wheelchair access, or for more comfort with the ergonomic chair.
Software available includes games--Teen Tunes, Switch games, and Sammy's Science House.
Word Q is an amazing software program which can prompt a person as words are typed on the screen, and can read aloud what has been written. It can also be used to read sections of the Internet or other documents on the screen.
BrainPop has curriculum based movies and quizzes to aid in understanding and learning lessons. I watched a movie on ants and then answered the questions.
This new equipment and software is part of our Webster's Bridge initiative: materials, programs, and services for special needs students, parents, siblings, friends, and educators. Webster's Bridge is a gift to the community from the Domino Family and a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Connecticut State Library.

Freezing Reserves

Going on vacation and want to be sure you don't lose the holds you placed at the Library? Well, you can now put your oustanding reserves "On Ice." Just follow the directions below to freeze your holds:

1. Click on MY ACCOUNT from the New Canaan Library's Website.
2. Enter you name, barcode number and press submit.
3. On the side click REQUESTS to display the items you have on hold
4. Click the radio button in the FREEZE column next to the item you wish to freeze.
5. Scroll to top and click UPDATE LIST.

When you return from vacation, repeat the steps above, uncheck the items you froze and click UPDATE LIST. You will returned to the active queue.