Things for Staff to Know About the Affordable Care Act and Library Patrons

--Hello! Many users who telephone the toll-free number for the Health Insurance Marketplace are told to visit their public library to print out the application. See this page of our Topic Guide [On the right side] for a link to the paper application and instructions in English, and a link for the Spanish application. Also a link for or general help in 25 other languages.  (12/6/13)

--Despite early issues, the Federal online application an enrollment system is available for use. And coverage begins as early as Jan. 1, 2014. (11/21/13)

--Direct Library patrons with ACA questions to our Affordable Care Act Topic Guide on the Research Portal:
http://library.arlingtonva.libguides.com/aca

Take a Few Minutes to See What's On Our Guide
Our Guide has explanations, some video intros and links to the Federal site HealthCare.gov with its Health Insurance Marketplace -- plus a link to the same site for Spanish speakers. There is also a link with text in many other languages, with basic explanations.

In Arlington, the latest data estimates that about 10% of the population (or 20,143) are uninsured--slightly less than the rest of the state, or 12% uninsured in Virginia.

People may come in to the Library either because they've heard about Affordable Care, or because they are ready to sign up. They do not need to be Arlington residents, only residents in Va. 

Virginia residents actually use the Federal Marketplace to enroll. Our neighboring jurisdictions in DC and Maryland have a different place to sign up--See the Topic Guide inks under "In the Community."

• Remember, staff can't give advice or make recommendations about choosing a health care plan. 
  
  
• We can be supportive and let patrons know about our free computers - and get them started with our Topic Guide.
   
• We can't answer questions about eligibility or prices.  The best place for patrons is ask their questions is the Federal Marketplace: 1-800-318-2596 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week.) A Health Insurance Marketplace specialist can answer questions in English and Spanish.  

Reminders

Note: You ARE helping patrons by referring them to the Federal Marketplace.

At the Marketplace, consumers will be able to compare insurance options based on price, benefits, quality and other factors with a clear picture of premiums and cost-sharing amounts to help them choose the insurance that best fits their needs.

Financial help to lower costs is available for people who qualify. Consumers may be eligible for a free or low cost plan, or savings that lower monthly premiums right away.


What About In-Person Assistance?
Expected to begin the week of October 7th.

Area residents --individuals, young adults, families, and small businesses—can learn about  their health insurance coverage options from the non-profit law firm Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV).

LSNV plans to provide FREE one-on-one application assistance and counseling/information to people seeking coverage. Patrons may contact them beginning October 7, 2013, at (703) 778-6800.

If you have any questions or information you'd like to suggest adding to our Topic Guide, please email Sally or Sarah Campany.

Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom - New eJournal Access

APL now has an online subscription to this long-running ALA newsletter.(Sorry, it's not available for public access, so it will not appear in the catalog.)

Click here to read the current issue, or

read the Journal Archives here.  Best of all, you can use the searchbox find or pinpoint any issues or topics of interest.

Skip This!

FYI: Please ignore most of the options on the left navigation menu! Those customization features are not available with our access within all Library buildings.

Lots of new resources for music lovers and students

Symphonies and Scores, Choreographer Interviews and Opera Libretti - it's all there in the new collections from Alexander Street Press.

As a supplement to our popular streaming music collections, we just added 7 more content sets--but these are reference databases and video collections. Check it out on the new Topic Guide, Music and The Arts.

What does this mean for our patrons?
They can watch different performances, research a work that's being performed locally, or download the sheet music (score) for voice or musical instrument without violating copyright.   Students can find detailed research in specialized reference works that we don't have on the shelf.

OverDrive Media Console App 3.0

The latest OMC app is out!

Note that it's only for:

• Apple devices - requires iOS 6 (or newer)
• Android devices - requires Android OS v4.0 (or newer, but OMC for Android v2.6.6 will remain available for download.)

Watch a highlights video: For Apple - For Android

What's the Fuss?

A redesigned user interface with streamlined navigation and a one-stop reorganized menu. App functions are just a swipe and tap away.

Guidance for first time users: The app now prompts users on how to add libraries and get books. (Woo Hoo!)

Users will be able to sync bookmarks and reading progress across multiple devices, as long as they sign up for a free, opt-in registration service called OverDrive One.
Variable speed playback (only for Apple): most requested feature from eAudiobook users!


Things we've noticed:

If the patron already had a previous version of the OMC app installed, they should eventually get a notification that this app has an update available--or they can visit the App store to update.  If they had installed it with Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) authorized...they must RE-authorize Adobe in the new app. However..ADE is not required for eAudiobooks, AND the new OverDrive Read format requires no authorizations and looks great on mobile devices.

The way to Return Titles Early is different! Think Tap and Hold. "From the bookshelf, tap and hold a title to display the return options."

OverDrive One wants to send promotional emails as a default when signing up...but it's easy to Opt Out.

Not compatible with Kindle Fire Android-based devices :(

We're in the process of updating the Step-by-Step instruction handouts to reflect changes, so stay tuned for that.  If patrons have any questions, you can refer them to the Help page for Apple and the Help page for Android.  Links to these are also on our own Library Help and Troubleshooting page, too.

Patrons should report any problems from the website form and select "I have another issue with OverDrive downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks."

IndieFlix loves Films for Families!

Hoping to watch an independent film suitable for the entire family? NO worries, IndieFlix has lots of films appropriate for the younger generation. The trick is just to find them.

First, Login to your IndieFlix Accounts. (for all those details see the Library page about IndieFlix.)

Here are some quick tips for family viewing:

Try the Family channel which is already presorted, but you can further *limit* the channel "results" for intended audience from all ages, 13+, and 17+.  Use the checkboxes at the left to adjust for your own kids.

You can also use this "Age Filter" when looking at films in the other Channels, such as Comedy or Animation.

Want more? 
IndieFlix also lets you Browse all their films -- then just Filter by age.

Queue It Up!
If you find a film that looks just right - save it to your IndieFlix queue and watch it when the whole family is together.

Please note
IndieFlix determines the intended audience for
its films - they are not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.  Parental guidance is always suggested for family viewing.

Get the popcorn ready - IndieFlix is here.

We're ready for our close-up now - 'we have a new streaming video service!

An important note for Zinio Users: they should use their Zinio email and password and Log right in to Library IndieFlix. They will still need to create an account at IndieFlix.com
Where do you find it? It's part of the eCollection page

Considered the Netflix of independent film, IndieFlix gives library card holders access to thousands of independent films, shorts, feature-length films, and documentaries.

Libraries have had difficulties offering independent films, because they're not readily available for us to buy. What's so great is that these indie films are not available anywhere else...except at IndieFlix.

Watch on computers, Apple and Android tablets and even smartphones. You can even watch on your TV, with a Roku streaming device and Xbox game console. is now available all day... all night..every day...every night...all day...

Patrons need TWO accounts; but only need their library card the first time, to create a Library IndieFlix account, which gets them authenticated. THEN they create another account at IndieFlix.com...that's where they'll Login to watch a film. Get all the details at our IndieFlix Help Page

Zinio Digital Magazines Changes Its Spots

Did you know? Zinio is the place to go - for reading digital copies of magazines online.They've just made some changes to the Login Screen, and now you can even Browse Magazines before you Login to your Library Zinio Account. We've updated the Zinio Step-by-Step handout - please discard any copies on hand and print new versions. Get the handout on our Library Zinio page plus full details about Zinio. And if you haven't used Zinio yourself -try it out! 

Important note for staff:  Zinio.com wants IE9 or higher, which is not the version installed on staff or public PCs.  To avoid display issues when reading a magazine at Zinio.com -- use Firefox.

Good Stuff Gets Even Better - The National Geographic Virtual Library

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a....portal! And it's called the National Geographic Virtual Library. Last year we added the partial Archive of National Geographic magazine. Today, we have much, much more available.

What premium content is available?

National Geographic: 1888 – present
National Geographic Traveler: 2010 - present
National Geographic Kids: 2009 - present (3 month embargo)

Users can browse magazines by date, explore topics, or just search all of the content. The basic search allows users to limit their results with basic options, such as date. Advance search provides users with additional limits, including 29 different image types.

Search results include:
•    Articles
•    Images (downloadable for personal, non-commercial use)
•    Videos
•    Maps
•    Books
•    Advertisements
•    Magazine Covers


Patrons can research general interests or their travel destination. Kids can find information for their science and social studies homework. Users can even view a graph on the frequency/popularity of their search term over time in National Geographic.


When a NatGeo book pops up in your search results - the entire book can be read, righ there in the web browser (No downloads.)

Want to learn more about Arlington’s growing pains? Check out “Across the Potomac from Washington” in the January 1953 issue of National Geographic.  

Get full details here.  Any questions let us know!

Sally and Sarah

OverDrive site goes "Next Gen"

Heads up folks - our OverDrive site - the place where patrons can get eBooks and eAudio downloadables will soon be completely different!  The migration to the Next Generation site is scheduled for sometime next week -  the week of February 25th. Any questions - please ask Sally! We'll be revising the OverDrive handouts soon, but the site may launch before then.

So get a sneak peek now -  click on this image and take a trip through the new navigation, features and more. Patrons can also click on this from our current site, which has what they call "One Step Checkout." 

Want to see it in action? check out this video.  Note - we do not offer movies or music.  And we do not have the patron option where patrons can suggest a title for purchase or buy it themselves.

Just a few details:

 

See It

--Browse or search for a title or author.  Tip:  Look at the Book Jacket's upper right corner to see Availability.   

You can see which titles are available and which ones you can place on hold by the format icon in the top-right corner of a cover image. If a title isn't available, the icon will be greyed out.

 

 

--eBooks

Borrow It

• Click on the Book Jacket to see Details.
• Click Borrow  - (you may be prompted to sign in) 
• Then  - Go to Bookshelf

Download or Read It

Just choose either

• To download it - Choose a format
• To read the title in your browser

 

Other Notes

--Kindle users (the e-Ink type) Click for new steps. (use Instruction set #1)

--When you choose "Read"  you can open the eBook right from your web browser with the new OverDrive Read option.  And if you try the "Read" option -- you can go back to your Account and download the eBook to a computer - or to a device with the OverDrive Media Console app.

 

 

One BIG DIFFERENCE!  The OverDrive Read option on the new site will not work with the county's standard web browser,  Internet Explorer 8.  Please don't download the IE plugin for the Google Chrome Frame plugin onto your staff PC.  Please use Firefox if you run into display issues or skip OverDrive Read on a staff PC.

--eAudio titles haven't changed much

Select the title you want, click (or tap) Borrow, then download it from your Bookshelf.  You still need to choose the format (WMA or MP3) compatible for your device.

The Good News:  Now you can filter your Search or Browse results by Device type like iPhone or iPod Touch.

The Less Good News:  Keep on Scrollin'  You must scroll to page end  to see the device limiters on the left.

 

If you access  the OverDrive site on a mobile device, it should only display titles with compatible formats for your device. 

Tip: For mobile devices like an iPhone - it may be easier to start with the OverDrive app, to search and navigate the site.

 

--Use these Navigation icons at the top of the screen.  The Menu bar will be available from any page—just click the icon to expand or collapse it.

--From your Account page, you will be able to view your Holds, Lists (Wish List, Rated titles, and Recommendations for you), and change your lending period(s) from the Settings page.