Ask Anything about Gadgets!

Did you or someone in your family get some new technology gadgets over the holidays?  If so, you are more than welcome to come for an open session to get answers to technology questions about using your gadget.  Want to know about settings?  Or apps?  Or how about downloads and file management?  Bring your tablet, phone, laptop, or other digital gadget and your questions.  The library will also have some devices available for practice use too!  Stop by the Technology Room on the 2nd floor of the library on Wednesday, January 6, 7-8:30 p.m.

Purchasing tablets, ereaders, and MP3 players

With the holiday shopping season upon us, many people are interested in purchasing personal technology items such as tablets, ereaders, and MP3 players.  Do you know what kinds of qualities you are looking for in such a device?  Or are you looking for specific features for a child or someone elderly?  Look no further.  The Kansas State Library has put together a great resource on choosing the right piece of personal technology for you or for a loved one.  Visit http://kslib.info/devices and choose the appropriate device you are interested in to learn more about available products. 

And once you've purchased your device, be sure to check out Library2Go to download FREE ebooks, music, and movies from the library!

Re-Boot Camp is back!

Attention 4th and 5th graders! Re-Boot Camp was on extended leave, but after 3 years, it is back! Want to learn research skills, prepare for school reports and have fun, all at the same time? I can't hear you! Did you say YES?! Call the Children's Desk at 503-718-2656 to register. It will be upstairs in the Technology Room on Wednesday, October 30 and November 6 from 4 to 5:30. Please plan to attend both sessions.

Volcanoes, Mold and Seeds

Ah, science fair time. Those fun projects that kids research and develop to share with their friends. For me, it's the time to panic about how many scientific terms sound like foreign words to me. And time to help parents and students find something (because all of the related books are checked out!) to help with their projects.

Enter the fantastic world of Science Online. This resource is available to you 24/7 and it's even student-friendly in its search system. Unlike the Internet, all of the articles, terms and topics are completely accurate and up-to-date. You can search a specific idea or explore general concepts. There are even some experiments available through the site. All you need is your library card number and you and your student can start searching!

Cyber Friends

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and perhaps a good time for you and your kiddos to refresh your knowledge about how to stay safe on the Internet. Check out this website for fun activities to do with your family: http://www.onguardonline.gov/.

Re-Boot Camp, Take 3

Missed Re-Boot Camp last summer? Well, now's your chance! We're offering it again, this time during the school year. Fourth and fifth graders can get help with specific assignments or just learn how to do research in general. This will not be a tutoring session, but kids will learn how to find the information they need on their own.

So want to come have fun at the library while learning, too?

WHAT?! I can't HEAR you!!!

Re-Boot Camp will be two days long: Tuesday, October 12 AND Wednesday, October 13 4:30 to 6:00 in the Puett Room.

To register your child, call the Children's Desk at 503.718.2656.

TV for tots

Many of you may have heard about the study a couple of years ago refuting Disney's claim that Baby Einstein was "educational" for infants. It has been found that because watching television is such a passive activity, it really is not educational for babies, and in fact could be detrimental. For that reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV viewing for children under 2.

I was very good about following that recommendation with my little boy, but once he turned 2, I started feeling guilty for the amount of TV I let him watch. I was happy to find out that studies show that kids over 2 can actually benefit from watching a little bit of TV. In fact, exposure to shows such as Sesame Street, Dora, Blue's Clues, and Mister Rogers has been associated with pre-academic skills and long-term academic success. I would also add anecdotal evidence that the show, Yo Gabba Gabba, really helps kids (at least my little boy) develop some skills such as trying new things, persevering, sharing, etc.

Use your judgment. Don't sit your toddler or pre-schooler in front of the TV all day, but an hour or two a day isn't going to hurt, and might even help!

The Return of Re-Boot Camp

We had so much fun with Re-Boot Camp last summer that we're bringing it back this year! This is a 2-day camp for 4th and 5th graders only. The kids will have fun at the library while learning computer and research skills. Last year, the first day several of the kids told me they were there because their parents made them go; the second day, the same kids said they were there because they wanted to be! The activities include a cyber-scavenger hunt for which prizes will be awarded.

Call the Children's Desk at 503.718.2517 to register. There are two sessions to choose from: Tuesday and Wednesday, July 20 and 21, 2 to 3:30 PM, and Tuesday and Wednesday, August 10 and 11, 6 to 7:30 PM. Register for one session, but attend both days in that session. It will take place in the Technology Room upstairs. Seats are limited so that every kid can have his or her own computer.

Biography Resource Center

You may have seen Anna's post in January about some great online resources that the kids can use to help with their homework. Another one is the Biography Resource Center. I've seen a lot of kids asking for biographies lately, and I always make sure to tell them about this great resource. It's actually a database made for grown-ups, but there is a ton of great biographical information that kids can also use. I strongly recommend using it when working on a biography assignment.

Reports, Reports, Reports

With school back in full swing, it's report time. Luckily, the library subscribes to several online resources to help your child with their homework. Accessible from home with your library card or in any Washington County Library, you can help develop your child's research skills without the frantic rush to find the one book everyone's checked out!

For country and state reports, CultureGrams is packed with information in an easy to use format. With state symbols, recipes, and, of course, population, geography and history information, it's all there in a click.

For magazine and newspaper articles, as well as graphs and pictures, Kids InfoBits puts it all together for your child to search. I especially like their "Related Subjects" which helps kids think about how to develop their searches (think "Pioneers" or "Explorers" or "Settlers").

There are plenty more as well, including some great ones for grownups at the WCCLS main page.

Your Reading List

Did you know that since our library catalog was upgraded, you can now keep your own lists on your library account? I have two lists: To Read and 2009 Already Read. Now with my To Read list I can keep track of all the books I want to read in one place. It really bugs me when I remember a book I've read but can't remember it's title. With my 2009 Already Read list, I can just pull up my list and jog my memory. To start a list:

1. Go to Washington County Cooperative Library Services and search for an item using our online library catalog.
   
2. Once you find the item you want, click on Add to My List to place it in a Working List. Search for as many items as you want and add them to your Working List.
   
3. When you are done and want to make a list for your own account, look on the left side of your screen where you will see a column that begins with Language. The next heading is My Lists. Under My Lists, click on the Show List Details link.
   
4. At the right side of your Working List, you will see a link that says Log in to save titles to your account. Click on that link.
   
5. Enter your library card number and password (remember, if you didn't pick a password when you registered for your library card, the default password is the last four digits of your phone number).
   
6. Click on Create new saved title list.
   
7. Click OK to the disclaimer.
8. Enter any name you want for your list.
   

Keep in mind that once you leave the WCCLS website, unless you have saved your titles into a list on your account, you will lose all of the titles from the Working List.

The next time you want to add a book to a list you have created, when you log in, your Working List will give you the choice to Delete, Copy to:, or Move to: a current list or a new list. If you want to look at one of your lists, just look to the left of your screen to see the Saved Title Lists under My Lists. Click on whichever list you want, and it is very easy to move items from one list to another.

Read Consumer Reports from Home

Photo courtesy of shashiBellamkonda

If you have to part with your money, Consumer Reports can help you spend it well.

Many people know that Consumer Reports ranks cars and appliances by features and reliability. You may not know that it also evaluates services like cell phone plans and offers money management advice. The library has always-available copies of the magazine in the reference section upstairs, but you can also search and browse Consumer Reports from home if you have Internet access. Here's how:

• Go to Consumer Reports online:
  • Go to www.wccls.org
  • Click on "Online Resources"
  • Click "Magazine Articles" in the left-side column
  • Scroll down and click "MasterFILE Premier"
  • Log in with your library card number

• Search and browse:
  • To search
    • Type consumer reports in the "Publication" box and click the search button
    • Type your search words in the box at the top
    • You can refine your search using the subjects in the left-side column, and read the full article by clicking "PDF Full Text"
  • To browse:
    • Click "Publications" on the bar at the top.
    • Type consumer reports in the second box and click the browse button
    • Click "Consumer Reports" in the results list.
    • Click the year then month of the magazine you want to browse in the right-side column.
    • Click the "PDF Full Text" link for the article you want to read.

Another online source I use for purchasing advice is http://www.consumersearch.com, which offers product suggestions based on reviews from many different sources including Consumer Reports. It has some ads, but is free to use.

- Charles Dunham, adult services librarian

Talkin' About TV

We all know kids (and adults!) spend too much time in front of the screen. One way you can make watching TV or movies a more positive experience for the whole family is to make it interactive -- talk about what you see. If you are watching television, mute the commercials and take those two minutes to ask your children why they think a character behaved a certain way, or what they would do in that situation. Imagine different endings to a favorite movie or show. Connect what you are viewing with real life experiences. Take this normally "passive" pastime and let it become another opportunity for learning. You just might get you everyone talking!

Keeping Kids Safe Online

As you all know, your kids are online! Whether at school, home, or the library, kids use the Internet and can be incredibly savvy in their searches for games, information, and their interactions with online friends. You may be concerned about how your children can browse the web safely and privately. This page on the Internet Public Library website provides lots of helpful links with information, games and activities about Internet safety for kids, teachers and parents: http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/browse/cai3000/

If you'd like to more, come on down to the library! We're always happy to help.