EPUBs on your iPhone

OverDrive has released their new app for the iPhone/iPod Touch and the Android.

What's the big deal?  Now our EPUB eBooks can be read on these platforms... And they say the one for the iPAD is "coming soon." 

So we want our users to remember Buyer e-Aware - So check out the blogpost about eReader devices & print the handy eBook devices cheat sheet for referral at your branch.

We haven't yet announced the new OverDrive app yet to the public, since it had a gltich which has now been fixed. But it's ok now, so feel free to download to your phones and iPods and get a head start on the latest way to read a book.

FYI - Here's the scoop on the bug, if you tried it already, but had problems.

A message from the Support Team on the iPhone app with eBook support
Posted: 08 Dec 2010 10:50 AM PST

Yesterday, when we released the iPhone app with eBook support, our Support Team received some reports that the apps were crashing on upgrade. Luckily, this unforeseen bug has a quick, easy fix.

If you were an existing OverDrive Media Console user and you upgraded to the OverDrive Media Console v2.0, all you have to do is shut your phone off completely and turn it back on. The app will work, with your previous downloads intact. You’ll then be able to download EPUB eBooks and MP3 audiobooks from the library directly to your device.

We know this is inconvenient, and we’re working on a permanent fix. The good news is that not all users are encountering this bug, while first time installations are working as expected. We’ll have more information on any additional updates as they happen, so keep checking back for the latest information on OverDrive’s download services for libraries.

Much MUCH More Mango

Yes, believe it or not...
Mango just added more languages, in addition to those they added in last monthm which makes a total of 29 languagesand 15 ESL language interfaces. 

The 7 New Basic and Complete Language Courses:
    Czech - Dutch - Tamil - Slovak - Ukrainian - Croatian - Indonesian

Always see the full list on the Mango "About Page"  which is just a simple website search away (search for mango) ....and also a link from the Research Portal link to "All 79 Premium Sources." And speaking of the Research Portal, did you know we have new Topic Guides for Learn a Language and English as a Second Language. Just click the TOPIC link for LEARNING. Or...you can always keyword search our Topic Guides, if you can't quite remember what it's called.

So, uh, Bon Appetit!

Little Pim: children’s language learning system for ages 0-6 years - TRIAL ACCESS

TAKE A LOOK at Little Pim now.  Even better, visit this blogpost from home and let your kids loose on it --we'd like to have some real live kids try it out.

After you click the Trial URL in the box above, from the upper right corner,  click on Courses / Little Pim

This is a brand new online product. You may be familiar with the DVD version, but Little PIM ONLINE version is interactive and brings a new level of access to language learning resources for kids.


Little Pim is specifically designed for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Each lesson provides the basic building blocks of a second or third language, and incorporates Julia Pimsleur Levine’s Entertainment Immersion Method™, as well as a series of practice quizzes, designed to increase the child’s comprehension and retention of the content.

LANGUAGES AVAILABLE:
• Spanish  • French • Mandarin Chinese • Italian • Japanese • Hebrew • German
• Russian • Arabic • English/ESL for Children is available from a link over on the Right column.


Barring any un-forseen problems which the trial might turn up, we do expect to make this live in October.

Please report any problems connecting or software conflicts to Sally.  Any questions about the content, check with Rachel Wood.

Universal Class

Allow me to introduce you to "Universal Class," a brand new resource available from the vendor Recorded Books. We're one of the first public libraries on the East Coast to offier it, and YES--it is NOW live for the public (effective Sept. 13th.  )

 
Thanks to the generosity of the  Friends, we have a distance learning resource available--you guessed it--24/7. If you've ever wanted to take a class from Adult Ed, but the time or location was inconvenient, you're going to love "Universal Class.  

The variety of courses is staggering...over 500 to date, and take note: this is NOT the place for a quick review of anything.  These are full blown courses, which usually take from 1-6 months to complete.  You'll find business, arts,  DIY, tech skills, writing and lots more. 

 
Intrigued? See the full catalog.

I admit up front that I am now enrolled in a course on horseback riding and and considering the one on "Haunted Places," or maybe "Astronomy 101" or "Travel Writing." While lots of courses seem to be just for fun,  many offer CEU's (Continuing Education Units) good for professional or employer credit.

Moira has already agreed that for staff completing courses with CEU's, she will award Library Traning credits, so talk to her if you are considering a course. 

It's aimed at people interested in the lifelong pursuit of knowledge,  which let's face it-- can be just about anyone! Job hunters, home-schoolers, seniors, kids, small business folks, new moms or bored 20somethings...

NOTE: you DO need to create a free private user account, and you are limited to 5 courses over a 6 month period.


Also,  this is a brand new partnership with public libraries but Universal Class is a long-standing FEE-BASED outlet for online learning. So occasionally you may see a reference to refunds, or prices.  So it's very important to always access Universal Class from the library Research Portal or this website link above.  Be SURE you're at the site which says "Arlington Public Library" at the top.


When talking to patrons "Free with your Arlington Library card" is a good way to explain it! And be sure to guide them to this "Details" page on the Library website
http://library.arlingtonva.us/departments/Libraries/ref/Databases/Universalclass.aspx 


So, explore and enjoy.


Any questions, please let me know.


Sally

New NoveList release is live!

New interface design for NoveList 
(psst, orange is the new black.)

• Same big database of 150, 000 fiction titles.  [Note: this FY, the State Library funded another Readers' Advisory database called Books & Authors. Not as large as NoveList but it does include nonfiction titles.  So try both!]
• Quick and easy access to reading recommendations for every title and every series
• Best Sellers and their reading recommendations are front and center on the home page.  
• New author pages with recommendations for similar authors
• Addition of Appeal Factors (so what's an appeal factor? It's how the book feels to the reader, and goes beyond subject headings.)

Two new pages for professionals:

• Teaching with Books for adults working with young readers
• RA ToolBox for Readers’ Advisory training and support materials

Want to know more?  Print this pdf and put it under your pillow - you'll wake up with all sorts of ideas about using NoveList to help patrons find their next good read. 

My fave is still the Author Read-alikes.  Find this and other familiar lists at the right margin.

Questions?  Ask Sally.  And watch for news of some training brown bags that are in the works by Diane Gates.  In the meantime, try some of the FAQs and tutorials here.

Surprise! Some NetLibrary eBooks ARE downloadable!

Stuff Happens - and especially to things electronic. 

Sometimes this can be a good thing, for instance, if you're been languidly browsing the 63,211 titles available on our NetLibrary site, you may have noticed this startling fact: suddenly, some of our eBooks titles are now available for checkout and download. About 29.016 of them! The checkout period appears to be 3 days.  (Note:  like expired OverDrive downloads, the file itself will stay on the patron's computer, but after 3 days is no longer readable.)

This is a big difference, since this option has not been avaiable for several years -- it's been "View this eBook" or read online for a long time.  BUT, patrons are starting to ask about them, so here's what you need to know:

Frankly, we don't know why or how they have become available for download, or if we will get to keep this function. Apparently, it's a result of changes at NetLibrary, since their purchase by EBSCO.

To tell if an eBook title is downloadable, just click "Show Details." All eBooks still have the "View this eBook" option--this hasn't changed--and that is what folks *in* the library should choose.

But some titles will ALSO display a link for"Check Out and Download this eBook."  This requires the patron be logged in to their free NetLibrary account--even when in the library.. So users IN the library should NOT choose this option.  In  the library, choose "View this eBook online."

It will ALSO require the patron to get a one-time download and install the Adobe Digital Editions software,  to read these downloadable NetLibrary titles.

Finally, if for some reason you want to see which titles ARE downloadable, use the Advanced Search option, and check the box.  (leave all other fields blank.)

AND, just so you know....this feature may just disappear one day.  EBSCO is, in fact, mystified by the whole thing.

Knock Knock

Knock Knock
Who's There?
Orange
Orange Who?
Orange you going to take a look at our spiffy new OverDrive site?!

If you haven't clicked over to OverDrive lately--did you realize how many ways a patron might get there? From a record in the catlog; by searching the website for "ebooks" or "eAudiobooks;" by asking a staff member about downloadables...

If YOU get that question--just click on  "eCollection" on the Library website orange banner. There are different options for PC, Mac, iPod, Mobile, etc, so be sure to look at the right tab.

Once you arrive at the re-designed site, you'll find a handy searchbox, where you can limit your search by format...or browse by genre on the left menu. When you find the perfect title--now you can share it on Facebook or Twitter. 

Note that the collections for Kids and for Teens can now be browsed separately. Attention bloggers -- you can also link to these collections directly.  Just let me know if you want the URL.



eBooks - they're in there. We have Mobipocket and the EPUB formats, which work on many eReader devices.   Browse by genre, or use Search to limit to an eBook format.  Use Expanded Search to limit by format AND titles with copies available. (Expanded Search is my favoritest thing in the world)

And for the patron who wants eAudio titles,  see the  improved "labeling" under Collections on the left menu. We have two eAudio formats--and it can be frustrating to realize that NOT ALL our eAudiobooks will play on ALL the iPods in the world.

iPod®-compatible Audiobooks (Windows) for the WMA titles that only work on an iPod formatted for a PC. So if you have a Mac and an iPod formatted for the Mac, WMA titles won't work.

MP3 eAudiobooks (Windows & Mac) will work on any iPod.

So go on, get in there and check out a title--Do try my second favoritest thing in the world--Choose Your Own Lending Period. 

They're Heeeeere! Stealth launch of eBooks in the EPUB format

On July 1st, we've added the EPUB format to our OverDrive site of downloadables. Pat Alter and Rachel Wood have selected a terrific opening day collection, which will continue to grow. We'll do some PR soon, but just in case eagle eyed patrons spot these new additions...

Most Important
You can read an EPUB eBook on a PC or Mac, plus many compatible e-reader devices. Which ones are compatible?  Don't try to remember, just send patrons to the list of Overdrive's compatible eBook devices.

Direct Patrons
For patrons who want to know more, direct them to our OverDrive details page. Just go to the eCollection tab and click the big blue OverDrive logo.


Different flavor
EPUB requires Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) software, not the Mobipocket for the eBooks we already have. Best to download and register the software before trying to download an eBook.

Don't Panic
If you get questions from eager users, just send them to the EPUB Help section on our General Help page at our OverDrive site.  See Adobe EPUB eBook - The Basics | Software Help | Troubleshooting  URL is: http://arlington.lib.overdrive.com/help.htm

Boo hoo!
EBUBS cannot be downloaded to our favorite handheld devices.  :(

What’s a No Go?
Kindle, iPad, iphone, BlackBerry or other smartphones. But new eBook apps for the Android and other platforms are in the works.

NO WiFi (or wee-fee, as they say in France)
Unlike our other Mobipocket eBooks, a wireless transfer of  an EPUB title to a separate device is not possible. Remind any frantic patrons of the Download First rule:

First download the eBook to your computer, then cable up the e-reader device, and move the .epub file from the computer to e-reader.

How Does a Patron find the EPUB titles?
The Browse: Scan the left menus for eBook Fiction or eBook NonFiction links.
The Search:  Click the link for Advanced Search (under the Searchbox.) From the format dropdown, select the EPUB format, which will display all the titles. Or select EPUB format and limit by a Subject.

Remember, we usually only buy one copy for each eBook title. If an OverDrive title is checked out, users can place an e-hold.

What I love best about OverDrive
Users can set their loan periods for each title! Plus nifty new sharing features are now built in for email, Facebook and Twitter - on the individual title record.

So go on guys!
Visit our OverDrive site and find an EPUB title to checkout and download.  Just remember - at Checkout - use the link " Click here to download the software needed to use this Adobe EPUB eBook title." And choose the 7-day loan period, if you are just practicing.

Tip:  When downloading the eBook, choose the option "Open with Adobe Digital Editions" which should launch the software and the title should then appear in the ADE Library list.

Questions? Just holler. Sally or Amiel will answer.

Washington Times at Newspaper Direct Press Display

Read the Washington Times online at NewspaperDirect PressDisplay - get today's paper...today!

It's one of  the hundred's of today's newspapers from around the world in full-color, full-page format. Read newspapers in the original format with all the ads, articles, comics, and features found in the original print publications.

To quickly get to the Washington Times from the PressDisplay homepage:  look on the right margin, under "Librarian's Picks"  and you'll find it just after the Richmond Times-Dispatch and the Washngton Post.

Important Note: Only 5 concurrent users are allowed. When finished, please be sure to click "Sign out" in the upper right corner.

Consumer Reports Portal - Expect it after July 1

Soon, we will have a new option for getting consumer info...licensing the portal to which Consumer Reports currently sells individual subscriptions. Take Note: This is NOT direct article access, as we were used before in a database. This is the latest and greatest consumer info straight from them! In addition to Ratings and Review data, you'll get results from their blogs and forums.


Looking for an article by date or citation is tricky so my suggestion is Just...Search it.

However, if you HAVE the citation already, try searching for that print issue date, e.g. april 2010 issue and you should get results which lead you to that issue in full--just remember there may be more content than just what's in the online issue, so don't overlook that.

I already tested it out on Saturday with excellent results. Patron wanted info on hearing aids, so I searched for hearing aid rating. Search revealed several hits, and while there is info from the sister site ConsumerReportsHealth.org--the Health site is NOT included in our subscription.  So I chose to view the "archived article" from July 2009, which can be printed or emailed.

I also signed in a patron who was researching Steam Vacuums. Well, the CR portal has a great section on buying a Vacuum...but as it turns out...the steam models are covered under "Carpet Cleaners" which appeared in March 2010 CR print. While the small canister types didn't make it to the ratings, they were discussed. Tip: Search for the product name and see where it pops up. e.g. Bissell SpotBot. (That's how we discovered steam vacs were under Carpet Cleaners!)

 Details from the vendor.

Bad News - We Lost Consumer Reports in Fulltext

Yes, it's true - we no longer have access to the fulltext of Consumer Reports online. Fulltext articles ended with July, 2009.

You may still use the Gale databases to pinpoint the date articles appeared in Consumer Reports print edition. See details page on how to do that.

Why?
Basically EBSCO outbid Gale for the rights to offer it online. We will haVe to see if we can afford to buy new access from EBSCO--still waiting to get a price quote for more than a month.

More Bad News
Gale loses other publisher content from Time Inc. or Forbes periodical content. This means we lose access to that fulltext content sometime over this next year.

What DO we have to help patrons with consumer questions?
Other consumer resources are found at our Consumer Subject Guide, on the library website. See the Ratings and Opinions section

Best Bet: ConsumerSearch
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/
Great clearinghouse of expert product reviews, for electronics, appliances, and even personal finance tools. Reviews appear ranked according to the site’s “Credibility Rating” criteria. The site give product and service reviews (including coverage of such wide-ranging topics as movies, schools, and tourist areas) written by customers. Pros for this approach: Customer/reviewers may have a good working knowledge of the exact item you are interested in. Cons: Opinions are from a self-selected, not necessarily professional, group.

Richmond Times Dispatch

Alas, the print subscription to the Richmond-Times Dispatch ended in 2009, but we do have complete online access from NewspaperDirect Press Display for recent issues.

For quick access - go to the right margin, and look under "Librarian's Picks"

Uses can sccess today's newspaper in full-color, full-page format, plus a 60 day archive. Read newspapers in the original format with all the ads, articles, comics, and features found in the original print publications. Important Note: Only 5 concurrent users are allowed. When finished, please be sure to click "Sign out" in the upper right corner.

eBooks in my hand?

We're getting lots of ebook compatibility questions...maybe because lots of folks got a device for Christmas, and just because eBooks are more popular than ever. Here's the REAL QUESTION FROM OUR USERS:

Can I read an eBook from the Library on my [Kindle, Sony, iPhone] ???
Here's the Short Answer: Sorry, but NO.

Our Library has ebooks which can be read on a PC or laptop (NetLibrary) or OverDrive Mobipocket eBooks--which can be read/downloaded to a PC/laptop/netbook and compatible mobile devices like BlackBerry, Palm OS devices and Smartphones with web access. Unfortunately, Mobipocket Reader is not supported on Mac or Linux systems.

Our Mobipocket titles are compatible with some single-purpose ebook devices (cybook, etc.), though not the Kindle/Sony/Nook/iPhone/iPad (the new Apple tablet). Because of cost and compatibility limitations, the library does not offer any eBook reading devices for checkout.

• Kindle devices only accept Kindle titles purchased from Amazon.
  Kindle for PC and Kindle for iPhone reader are available. Look for free Kindle titles.
• Barnes & Noble is selling eBooks compatible with their Nook reader. Since late 2009, Nook devices accept the EPUB format, including "Non DRM or Adobe DRM" EPUB, among others.
• Microsoft eBooks are purchased and read with the Micosoft reader software.
• Sony only recently agreed to partner with the OverDrive vendor for licensing eBooks in the "Adobe DRM-protected EPUB format," which should be compatible with the newer Sony readers.
• Apple's iPad *looks* like it supports ebooks through Apple's ibook store using EPUB--but NOT the Adobe version.
  
  But Wait!!!
  
  DC Public has taken the lead in this area, and was able to buy many more downloadable titles than most of our neighbors --much as Fairfax has built a strong print muscical scores collection. Metro area residents *will* need to obtain a free DC library card before any eBook downloading.

Additionally, many free EPUB format eBooks can be found and downloaded at Project Gutenberg, who provide a variety of DRM-free formats. These can be read on quite a few "devices" like compatible Sony readers, PC's Macs, etc. While not the latest bestsellers, many classic titles and enjoyable eBooks are available.

What's so hard about it?
1. No single format has been established--e.g.--there's no eBook "VHS" format like for good old videotapes. Why not? This is a volatile area--just see some of lively debate at Teleread. Take Note: articles on the future of reading and of books abound.

2. We DO have to buy these. When we launched our OverDrive collection, they didn't offer the EPUB format--we chose Mobipocket as the most flexible format to appeal to our community. And ....what with POP (Plain Old Print), Books on CD, OverDrive MP3 or WMA, Mobipocket eBook....the cost for each format of just one title--well, it adds up quickly.

Today, at OverDrive, we offer 877 Mobipocket eBooks.
1039 MP3 eAudio titles and 2147 WMA titles.