April 30, 2008
Find Your Way @ the Library
In a continuing effort to offer up-to-date, exciting technology to the Darien community, the Darien Library will add a TomTom One XL S global positioning system (GPS) device to its arsenal of circulating technology, beginning Monday, May 5. About the size and weight of a standard iPod, the TomTom is small and easy to use. With sharp 4-color graphics, the TomTom's LCD screen is clear and easy to read. Voice and visual instructions help you navigate to your desired destination, avoiding construction sites and accidents, as well. The unit comes with a USB cable--so you can install TomTom HOME on your personal computer, free software for managing your personal maps--a car charger, and a Quick Start Guide. We've added a Nav-Mat, a padded dashboard mount, which will keep the unit safe and steady inside a moving vehicle.
Darien residents, those who work in Darien, and non-resident Contributors to the Library at the $300 level will be eligible to take the TomTom out for a spin. The unit will circulate for 1 week, will be renewable once if no one else is waiting, and may be reserved. Those interested in checking out the TomTom must present a valid credit card in their name at checkout. We will keep a copy of your credit card on file while you have the device.
So, if you're considering purchasing a GPS device but want to try one out first at no expense, here's your chance. For more information on the TomTom or any other Library technology, contact Judy Sgammato at 655-1234 x136 or send me an email at jsgammato@darienlibrary.org.
Posted by JudyS at 01:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 28, 2007
Our Kindle Has Arrived!
Start the New Year off by exploring the latest in e-book technology: Amazon's Kindle. But before you spend your hard-earned money--$399 before shipping and handling--stop by the Library and spend some time with our Kindle. We're still exploring all of its features, but here's what we've learned so far:
About the size and weight of a paperback book, the Kindle is a big improvement over early e-book readers. Its high-resolution display technology, called electronic paper, works using ink, just like regular books and newspapers, but the Kindle's ink particles are displayed electronically. The reflective electronic paper display is easy on the eyes and can be read clearly even in bright sunlight, but the page flash you see when you turn pages (part of the ink placement process) is a little annoying. The Kindle includes six text size options, and the screen navigation buttons are large and easily accessible on either side of the unit. Below the 3.5 x 5-inch display is a full keyboard, which can be used for taking notes and performing searches on stored documents.
In addition to a built-in dictionary, the Kindle is designed to hold over 200 digital books, newspapers, blogs, and magazines. If that's not enough for you, you can purchase an additional SD memory card, which can be inserted under the battery cover on the underside of the unit. The Kindle uses Amazon's Whispernet wireless service, which works in much the same way as cell phone wireless service, allowing you to get content in most locations whenever you want. When you purchase the Kindle using your Amazon account, the device is automatically synced to your account for easy 1-click ordering. I purchased a digital book and a trial subscription to The New York Times for the Library's Kindle, both of which were received within seconds.
While the Kindle does not offer many of the cool features of that famous new touch phone, it would be an excellent device for students, commuters, members of the publishing industry, and anyone who loves gadgets. Have we piqued your interest? If so, be sure to stop by the Darien Technology Center at the Darien Library and spend some time with our Kindle.
Happy New Year!
Posted by JudyS at 11:50 AM | Comments (0)
December 20, 2007
Post-Holiday Tech Support
Whew! After a very busy fall--we had almost 300 students in our fall technology classes, a new record--the holidays arrived with a whoosh! Once the craziness of the holidays subsides, you may find yourself with a new mp3 player, digital camera, laptop, or other e-gadget, and you might not know how to get started. Well, the Darien Library tech staff is here to help!
I know it's a cliche, but when working with a new piece of electronic equipment, remember to read the instructions and refer to the troubleshooting tips in the product manual. If you still have problems, go online and visit the manufacturer's website. (If you're not sure how to find the website, let us know. We'll have you online in minutes.) Many companies supply product manuals on their websites in pdf form for easy browsing and printing.
Lists of FAQs (frequently asked questions), also available on manufacturers' websites, are another good place to go when hunting for an answer to a product-related question. And, if you're in need of a more personal touch, give us a call and we'll set up a one-on-one session with you so we can take a peek and see if we can help. For more information or to set up an appointment with a member of our tech staff, contact Judy Sgammato by phone at 655-1234 x136 or by email at jsgammato@darienlibrary.org.
Posted by JudyS at 05:39 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2007
Have You Tried Our Playaways?
Attention audiobook lovers! Have you checked out one of our Playaways yet? If you enjoy listening to books on tape and/or books on CD, you'll enjoy our Playaways. Unlike books on tape and books on CD, which require a separate player, Playaways combine a digital audio file and a player in one unit. And, unlike our downloadable audiobooks, there's nothing to download, nothing to sync, nothing to do but plug in your headphones and listen! Here's how it works:
The unit is about the size of a cell phone and runs on one AAA battery. Simple touch controls on the back of the unit allow the user to start/stop, adjust volume and/or playback speed, set bookmarks, rewind, and fast forward. Playaways circulate for three weeks and may be renewed as long as no one is waiting. We provide the battery (and a spare); you provide the headphones. In addition to our adult titles, we have a growing collection of Children's and Teen Playaways. Interested? Why not take one out for a spin?
Posted by JudyS at 04:56 PM | Comments (0)
July 18, 2007
It's Not Your Parents' Britannica
I took part in an online training session this morning. The subject: Encyclopaedia Britannica Online, Public Library Edition. As this enjoyable session made clear, the venerable Britannica has come a long way from the big brown volumes that used to fill up several shelves in our adult reference area. Well-researched articles are still the hallmark of this classic reference source, but now you’ll also find a host of 21st-Century additions: photo and video links; links to articles from EBSCO and ProQuest; an online dictionary and thesaurus (equipped with an audio component so you can hear the correct pronunciation of words); a world atlas and country database; a quotations database; selected classic works of literature (full text!); and live news feeds from the The New York Times and the BBC. The Britannica Online Reference Center is appropriate for high school, college, and adult learners, while Britannica Online for Kids includes information suitable for elementary, middle school, and high school students. The Workspace feature, which is available on both versions, allows the user to save links to relevant sources of information on a given topic. These links can then be shared with others via email, allowing collaborative, team-oriented research. If you or your kids haven't visited Britannica Online recently, now’s a good time. You’re in for a pleasant and stimulating surprise as we approach the start of a new school year. And, if you'd like a one-on-one tutorial on this or any of our other research databases, call me at 655-1234 x136 or send an email to sgammato@darienlibrary.org.
Posted by JudyS at 09:02 AM | Comments (0)
June 15, 2007
Laminate Your Documents @ the Library
A desktop laminator is the latest addition to the equipment available to the public in the Darien Technology Foundation Center at the Darien Library. The unit can handle items as small as a Social Security Card, or as large as a legal-sized document (8.5 x 14 inches), and the laminating pouches are available in two thicknesses: 3-mil ($1/page) and 5-mil ($2/page). Also available is a cardboard-backed pouch with a fold-out hinge ($4/page), which turns your document into a free-standing sign (just like those school pictures in the 8 x 10 cardboard frames). Since the machine can get very hot during the lamination process, our tech staff will be responsible for its operation. Stop by the Tech Center next time you visit and check out this cool new addition!
Posted by JudyS at 11:06 AM | Comments (0)
June 10, 2007
Meet John B.
The new face heading up the library's technology staff belongs to John Blyberg, our new Head of Technology and Digital Initiatives. Despite his relatively young age, John is a legend in the library community and for good reason. He has been at the forefront of the Library 2.0 movement--an effort to make libraries the center of the social networking phenomenon. John and his family relocated to Connecticut from Ann Arbor, Michigan. We are thrilled to have John on board as we prepare for the New Darien Library. You can learn more about John, a self-described "library geek," by taking a peek at the bio on his website. Please join us in welcoming John to the Darien Library!
Posted by JudyS at 07:23 PM | Comments (0)
June 08, 2007
Good-Bye and Good Luck, Jose!
On Thursday, May 31, we bid adieu to Jose Otero, our in-house tech support from Creative Networking Concepts. Although hidden from public view on most days, Jose worked hard to keep things running smoothly during his year and a half with us. His warm nature and eagerness to help both library patrons and staff will be missed. Jose leaves the library to assume a new position with his company. We wish you well, Jose, and hope to see you soon.
Posted by JudyS at 03:03 PM | Comments (0)
May 17, 2007
Postcard From San Jose
Greetings, everyone! Last Sunday, I flew out to San Jose, California, for the 15th Annual Innovative Users Group Conference. Innovative Interfaces is the company that provides the software used by the Darien Library to order, process, and circulate all its materials, from books to DVDs. Once a year, members of the Innovative Users Group, made up of librarians and library techs from all over the United States and from around the world, meet to share information and experiences with the software. San Jose is home to many hi-tech companies. Some, such as Adobe Systems, are located within walking distance of the convention center where the meeting was held. This year's conference had over 1800 attendees and attendees from 11 countries. I was part of a team of three representing our library. It's been a busy four days and I've learned a lot. Home today. See you soon! Judy
Posted by JudyS at 11:38 AM | Comments (0)
April 18, 2007
Darien Library "On the Road Again"
It's spring, and it's time once again for the annual Computers in Libraries Conference. This year, the conference was held in Crystal City, Virginia, right outside Washington, D.C. Despite highly un-springlike weather—I drove down in a blinding wind and rain storm—I enjoyed the conference and learned a lot. From “mash-ups” to “vodcasts,” the conference touched on just about every technological development in and around the library world.
Attendance at conferences such as this one give Darien Library staffers the opportunity to learn new ways to enhance your library experience. Over the next several months, we will be re-establishing virtual network drives for our patrons, and exploring ways to make our online catalog and library website more interactive and more responsive to your needs. Stay tuned.
Posted by JudyS at 09:02 PM | Comments (0)
February 28, 2007
Library Launches New Print Management Software
If you're a regular visitor to the Darien Library, you're no doubt familiar with the busy hum of the printers in the Main Reading Room and the Technology Center, as they handle over 500 printouts a day in either black and white or color. Yes, the Darien Library is a lively place, and our patrons do a fair amount of printing each day. Since we use shared printers in both the Main Reading Room and the Tech Center, patron printouts can occasionally get mixed up. Maybe you've had the experience of printing a job at the library and, when you walked over to the printer to retrieve it, finding it has been unwittingly picked up by another patron. Well, help is on the way.
In an effort to help sort out our patrons' printing issues (and save a few trees), we've installed a new print management system, which will allow you to control when your job(s) are released for printing. The new system requires you to log in with your library card barcode. You don't need to have a Darien Library card, but you do need to be in our patron database. Each patron still receives $2.00 worth of free printing on the Library every day--that translates to 20 black and white pages or 8 color pages. If you have a big printing job to do, you can give us the extra money to cover it, and we'll credit your printing account.
The software was first installed in late December and we've been testing and troubleshooting it since then. Late last week, we launched it on all of our public internet computers. So, don't forget your Library card; if you've lost it, now's the time to get a new one. Our tech staff--Judy, Jose, Chris, and Joe--are happy to help you use this new software.
Posted by JudyS at 08:40 AM | Comments (0)
January 15, 2007
Take Our iPod Out for a Spin!
The Apple iPod is one of the most popular electronic consumer items ever launched. If you’re curious to see how it works, but don’t feel like laying out $250 for the privilege, here's your chance. The Darien Library has just added an Apple iPod to its arsenal of circulating MP3 players. Darien residents, those who work full time in Darien, and annual Contributors to the Library at the $300 level may check out our iPod for a period of 3 weeks. We will download an Audible audiobook of your choice prior to checkout and show you the ropes to get you going. Interested? Don't delay. Since we only have one right now, the waiting list is sure to grow. To reserve our iPod, click here. For more information, send a comment to this blog by clicking on the Comments link, below.
Posted by JudyS at 08:43 PM | Comments (0)
January 13, 2007
New Members of Our Technology Team
Joe Finley Chris Gutierrez
If you've visited the Library over the last few weeks, you may have noticed two new faces among our technology staff. The Darien Library is very pleased to have two interns from the Academy of Information Technology (AIT), located in Stamford. Joseph Finley and Christopher Gutierrez, both Juniors at AIT, joined us just before Christmas and have already become an important part of our technology team. Joe and Chris will both work two evenings and one weekend day each week, assisting patrons with desktop applications. Please join us in welcoming these fine young men to our staff!
Posted by JudyS at 01:02 PM | Comments (3)
October 31, 2006
What's New in the Darien Technology Foundation Center?
As always, the Darien Library is working hard to provide its patrons with state-of-the-art technology. Just before the launch of our Fall 2006 Adult Technology Classes in early September, we installed 12 brand-new workstations in the Darien Technology Foundation Center at the Library. If you haven't yet tried out the new machines, please make a point of stopping by during your next visit to the Library. With 19-inch monitors, high-speed CD/DVD drives, and plenty of memory, these machines are a dream to use.
If you're contemplating a trip to Grandma's for the holidays, you''ll want to take along one of our circulating laptops. In addition to our four Dell Inspiron 600m machines, we now have two new Dell XPS M1210 laptops. These new machines have a built-in wireless card for Internet access and come loaded with Office 2003 (including Publisher), Dreamweaver MX (for web design), and Adobe Photoshop Elements 3, so you can download and edit your photos while you're away. They also have a high-speed DVD drive for burning CDs/DVDs or watching a movie when on the go. The laptops circulate for 2 weeks and are renewable once if no one else is waiting.
Last but not least, we've added four SanDisk ImageMate 12-in-1 memory card readers to our list of gadgets for patron use. These nifty little devices can accommodate most types of memory cards. Each unit comes equipped with a USB cord, so all you have to do is plug it in, insert your memory card, and you're ready to transfer your photos to the computer. Once the photos have been transferred, you can burn them to a CD, email them, or just save them on your Patron H drive. Sound complicated? Don't worry; we'll show you how.
We look forward to seeing you!
Posted by JudyS at 05:10 PM
September 29, 2006
Back to School Prep at the Library
The Darien Library's newest database, Learning Express Library, provides free online access to college, graduate degree, and professional licensing exams. You can access this database in the Library or from home, using your Darien Library library card barcode. The database includes practice tests for such popular academic tests as the SAT, high school AP tests, GRE, MCAT, and GMAT. On your first visit, you will be asked to sign in as a new user and then log in as a returning user on each subsequent visit. If you're interrupted in the middle of a practice test or course, your work is automatically saved and you can return to complete the test later. Exciting features of this wonderful new resource include immediate scoring, complete answer explanations, and individualized analysis of your results. Give it a try and let us know what you think. For assistance when online, call the Information Desk at 655-1234 x114.
Posted by JudyS at 10:12 AM
August 27, 2006
A Rainy Sunday in Darien--Where Is Everyone?
At the Library, of course!
The umbrella stands says it all. It was indeed a very rainy day in Darien today, and both the Main Reading Room
and the Tech Center
were filled, in some cases, with more than one person to a chair!
Posted by JudyS at 04:18 PM
August 21, 2006
New Dell Computers Arrive!
As you can see from the above photo, it was business as usual late lask week in the Darien Technology Foundation Center at the Darien Library. Hard to believe that less than 24 hours earlier, all 12 student computers in the center had been replaced with brand-new Dell Optiplex GX 520 machines. The Library's Head of Technology, Alan Kirk Gray, Network Engineer Jose Otero, and yours truly rolled up our sleeves and got to work Wednesday evening unpacking, setting up, and configuring the new machines. With hardly a blip on the radar, the majority of machines were up and running Thursday morning. Patron responses to the new computers have ranged from "These are great!" to "Wow!" Both Library staff and members of the public agree that the new computers are faster and more efficient, with large, easy to read monitors. If you haven't done so already, drop by for a test drive!
Posted by JudyS at 12:08 PM
August 07, 2006
Extra USB Drives to the Rescue!
When you log in to one of the Library's public computers using your library barcode, you are assigned a temporary drive on the Library's network. This drive, known as the Patron "H" Drive, is a handy place to store your documents, photos, and files on a temporary basis. In order to serve you well, we need to keep our network operating at top capacity, and storing large amounts of patron data (including, for example, memory-eating image files) can bog things down. So we need to clean out the Patron H Drive on a regular basis. In response to your requests for a regular schedule for this monthly cleanup, we've chosen the last Thursday of each month as the day to clean house, so to speak. If this monthly cleanup has you shaking in your boots, don't worry. We recently purchased five additional high-capacity USB or "flash" drives, making for a total of 10 drives in circulation that may be borrowed free of charge. (These are in addition to the floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs we already have available for sale.) The SanDisk Cruzer drives can each hold up to 512 MB of data, and they come in a sturdy titanium shell that protects your files during transit from the Library to your home or workplace. We invite you to check out one of these drives so you can discover how convenient and easy they are to use. Simply click here to reserve a flash drive today.
Posted by JudyS at 06:08 PM
July 19, 2006
Darien Library Hosts Web 2.0 Workshop
Librarians from across the state convened in Darien today to attend a Web 2.0 Workshop, featuring guest presenters Jenny Levine (theshiftedlibrarian.com) and Michael Stephens (tametheweb.com). Levine and Stephens are leaders in the Web 2.0 movement, which focuses on practical new technologies for user-centered services in all types of libraries. Co-sponsored by the Darien Library and the Connecticut Library Consortium, the workshop drew over 40 library professionals interested in harnessing the power of new technologies to better serve their library communities. Among the technologies discussed were blogging, RSS feeds, instant messaging, and Flickr. You can see some of these exciting technologies in action by visiting our home page.
Posted by JudyS at 03:18 PM
July 14, 2006
New Gadgets Have Arrived!
The latest additions to the Darien Library's tech arsenal are a Creative Zen Micro MP3 player and five Point & Shoot Digital Video Camcorders manufactured by Pure Digital Technologies. The Zen Micro replaces one of our Rio Carbon MP3 players, which are no longer being manufactured. Like the Rio's, the Zen checks out for 3 weeks. You can download several audiobooks through our website and/or download music from your favorite online music vendor. The Zen is pocket-size and easy to use, although navigating the touch-sensitive front panel takes a little practice. The Point & Shoot camcorders are about the size of an iPod, and come in a handy carry case with an optional shoulder strap. Lightweight and a snap to use (No pun intended!), they operate on two AA batteries and come equipped with a built-in USB adapter that allows you to attach the camcorder to your computer to view your videos. You can then burn the videos to a DVD and/or save them to your hard drive and email them to family and friends. If you prefer to watch your videos on your widescreen TV, a video cable is included. For more information on these new products, contact Judy Sgammato at sgammato@darienlibrary.org. You can call me at 655-1234 x136, or just send a comment to this blog. I'd love to hear from you!
Posted by JudyS at 11:23 AM | Comments (1)
May 31, 2006
Adult Technology Education Update
The last class of our spring series, Creating a Digital Photo Album Using Photoshop Elements 3.0, takes place tonight. It's been a busy spring, with over 30 technology classes attended by over 300 students. New this year were our Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Workshops, which helped prepare seniors for the controversial enrollment deadline of May 15th. Expert instructor Diane McKeever received kudos for her spirited presentations on Microsoft Word and Excel, as did James Flynn, webmaster for the Darien Public Schools, for his popular web design classes. The summer months will be relatively quiet in the Tech Center, so it's a good time to come in and practice your new skills. Whether you want to scan some photos, create a tag sale flyer in Publisher, or clean up your resume for the fall job market, our staff is ready to assist you. Among the topics under consideration for our fall series are: Advanced Word, Dreamweaver (Beginning and Advanced), PowerPoint, Photoshop Elements, Digital Photography, and How to Transfer Your LP Collection to CDs. Have some good ideas for class topics? Maybe you'd like to teach a class. We want to hear from you! Just post your thoughts to this blog, or send me an email at sgammato@darienlibrary.org.
Posted by JudyS at 09:43 AM
May 22, 2006
Library Tech Summit in Denver
I'm on the road again, this time to attend IUG 2006 in Denver. IUG stands for Innovative Users Group, a large, active group of librarians and non-librarian techies who all work with integrated systems designed and supported by Innovative Interfaces, a California-based company. Having been to Denver last as a young child, I did not remember the bigger-than-life nature of all things Denver--the thoroughfares, the buildings, the people. After all the rain we've had in Connecticut, I didn't mind the dryness, but the hotter-than-normal temperatures did not quite coincide with my mountain wardrobe! With over 1600 attendees, IUG 2006 was bigger-than-life, too! Over the weekend, I attended over a dozen sessions, chatted with lots of library vendors, and spent time reviewing poster presentations from libraries throughout the country. Within the next year, you'll see many enhancements to our online catalog, including the use of RSS feeds to provide regular news about authors, books, library events, and more. I'm excited! Now, if my plane would just arrive from Sacramento....
Posted by JudyS at 05:34 PM
May 12, 2006
Database Spotlight
This is the first in a series of postings highlighting the online research databases available through the Darien Library website. The databases profiled here are searchable at the Library or from the comfort of your home. All you need to access them is a computer, an Internet connection, and a Darien Library Card. (If you are a non-resident who works in Darien or who is a Contributor to the Library, you can access our research databases using your home library card barcode. If you have not yet registered your card in our system, stop by our Circulation Desk on your next visit, and we'll take care of it.)
Trying to track down that obituary you read a year ago, but not sure where to start. Don't worry; you don't have to use the microfilm machine. The Darien Library has a new database, America's Obituaries & Death Notices (AODN), that provides access to obituaries and death notices that have appeared in newspapers throughout the United States. Coverage for some of the larger national papers like The San Francisco Chronicle goes back as far as 1985, but for most it's more like the last 5-10 years. You can access the AODN database through the Library's home page. Just click once on the Databases & Websites link at the top of our home page. On the next page, under "List of Databases," click once on America's Obituaries & Death Notices. If you're accessing the database from home, you'll be asked to enter your 14-digit library barcode number to identify yourself as a Darien resident, town employee, or Friend of the Library. Once you've done that, hit enter on your keyboard. On the home screen of the obituaries database, you'll see three search boxes. You can search by the last name of the deceased and then limit the results to a specific date or date range and/or by specific keywords from the text of the obituary. Narrow your search by selecting a specific region or state (hold down the control key to select more than one region or state at a time.) The results of your search will be listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent obituaries listed first. The AODN database does not include every newspaper published in the United States (only 19 Connecticut newspapers are included), but it's a good place to begin your search. Who knows, you may discover some relatives you didn't know you had! Give it a try and post your comments right here on the Info-Tech Blog. I hope to hear from you!
Posted by JudyS at 03:29 PM
March 23, 2006
Computers in Libraries Conference 2006
It's spring, and the Darien Library staff is on the road again. While several of my colleagues are in Boston at the annual Public Library Association meeting, I am in Washington, D.C., for my third year at Computers in Libraries. Described as North America's largest technology conference and exhibition for librarians and information managers, this conference covers all aspects of technology as it relates to the library world. This year's hot topics are RFID (radio frequency identification) for faster, more efficient check-in, check-out, and inventory of library materials, and RSS feeds, which enable libraries to bring news and personalized content direct to their patrons. The Darien Library, a leader in the use of library technology, is working on using both of these technologies to improve services to our patrons. Stay tuned....
Posted by JudyS at 08:55 PM
November 17, 2005
Your Library Card--Don't Be at Home Without It!
Did you know that you can access the Library's research databases from your home 24/7? All you need is a computer, Internet access, and your library barcode number--that 14-digit number on the back of your card that starts with the numbers "21517." Begin by going to the Library's website. On the home page of the Library's site, click once on "Databases & Websites" on the horizontal menu at the top of the page. On the next page, at the top under "Subscription Databases," click once on "List of Databases available at the Library and at home." Next, you'll see a list of over 30 research databases available at the touch of your fingers. You can access back issues of The Darien News-Review, research a favorite stock, find reviews of your latest book club selection, or locate that special recipe you meant to clip but didn't. And you can do all this from the comfort of home.
So, give it a try. Send us your comments and let us know how it goes! Happy Hunting!
Posted by JudyS at 04:23 PM