e-books, Kindles and more

We have recently purchased more Kindles, Sony e-readers and Nooks. Each of the 4 Kindles have over 60 books already loaded on them; each of the 3 Sony e-readers have 24 titles on them, and each of the 3 Nooks have 15 titles on them. As people check them out we load new titles on for them so the lists of titles just keep getting longer.
Many people have asked about loading e-book titles onto their own devices. We are in the process of making this happen with a company called Overdrive. Hopefully this will be available in the new year. However, because of licensing agreements, or lack thereof, (don't you just love legalese) the e-books will only download to a Sony or a Nook or similar device, not to the Kindle or iPad. Look for announcements of this program soon.

Freegal and more

Have you tried Freegal yet? Download music from the Sony catalog onto your device. We already download audio books so why not music. And coming soon are downloadable ebooks for the Sony Reader and the Nook. Sorry they do not work on the Kindle, but we will let the publishers and the companies fight that one out. We are ready when they are. We are buying more ereader devices so put your name on the list and you will be able to check one out soon.

CardStar App

The New Canaan Library can now read your barcode from your smart phone if you are using CardStar or a similar app. You do not have to carry around your Library Card nor all those loyalty cards from supermarkets and stores with this app. It works at the self-checkout station too.

Secure passwords

Consumer Reports this month is featuring several articles on Internet safety, including the safe use of Facebook, and using secure passwords. On reading the articles found a link to a password checking site. Put in a password and see how secure it is; that is, how easy is it to crack. Try it!
Results may surprise you!

Choose Privacy Week

Watch this video to understand why we need a Choose Privacy Week May 2 - 8, 2010.
Where do you stand on this issue?
Do you try to kept yourself safe on the Internet and elsewhere?

Computer and smart phone security news: 51% of malware is not detected!

Not that is shocking to read. Symantec says only 51% of the malware on computers and smart phones is detected? So how can you protect your devices? Check out this article from the "Librarian in Black" on tools to use to protect your computer and smart phone.

Devices, gadgets, widgets and more

Jeff and Laurie sent 3 days last week at Computers in Libraries in Arlington, VA. Dazzled and overwhelmed by the devices, software, gadgets, widgets, etc and creative ways libraries and librarians are using them. Laurie was not back a half hour before she added information lines on our checkout receipts for our Twitter and Facebook accounts. Then she started adding QR codes to our posters so people can scan them with their smart phones and add the event to their personal calendar. Meanwhile Jeff went off to another workshop on using widgets on the website.
Other staff went to the Connecticut Library Association Meeting at Mohegan Sun (now that was an experience!) this week and learned about more creative ways, and talked to vendors selling subscriptions for audio books, ebooks, and downloadable music. One vendor has this fabulous scanner which is a snap to use--all touch screen. Unfortunately the price puts it on a wish list.
So look for new ways to use your smart phones and other devices to interact with the library website and library materials.

Storm aftermath

Technology is wonderful, but not 100% reliable as we all learned again this weekend with the storm. When the power goes the sump pumps stop running and the basement floods, the phone which needs a charge stops, the computer battery dies, the electric stove will not work nor will the microwave. Darkness descends on the house, and the street.
The New Canaan Library was very pleased to be able to offer a place of refuge. We had lights and heat and electric plugs for your phone and computer. People crawled all over the building and found plugs we had forgotten. People shared their plugs and the time on the Library computers. There was a sense of community and a good spirit.
We kept people up to date by posting notices from the town in the Library, sending messages on our Twitter account and sending out e-flyers for those who could read electronic messages. And now we have posted pictures and videos on our Facebook page and on Youtube.

e-readers

e-readers of all sorts are the rage. Library has 2 Kindles and a Sony e-reader for loan, but please be patient. The hold lists can be long! When its ready for you, we will load a title of your choice (subject to availability) onto it for you to read.
Here is an article on making your netbook into an e-reader:

Things to do in 2010

8 Things Every Geek needs to do in 2010--and even those of us who do not consider ourselves geeks! This article reminds us to change our passwords, check our privacy settings, back up our data, etc. Good advice for the new year!