Downloadables Review - How to Help Patrons

So many devices, so little time...

with all the news about Kindle and OveDrive, this is a good time to review how best to answer questions from patrons about eBooks or eAudio.

The first stop should be showing/telling them directions to the "My Help" section on our OverDrive site. This really walks them through it. From the Library website, click eCollection, then eAudio or eBooks.  


It is, however, a bit vaugue about transferring EPUB titles to an eReader device.  For details on this, do use our own "Help & Troubleshooting" link at the bottom of the eCollection page, just look under "To transfer to eReader" for a short summary.

and don't forget, we have Tip Sheets on transferring EPUBS to eReaders or Apple, Android or BlackBerry devices. These are saved on the L:\drive...feel free to print them for your branch or desks.


#1 takeaway?  Nook, Sony or Kobo eReaders can't handle a direct download.  eBooks MUST be downloaded to a computer, then transferred to the eReader while it's cabled up to the computer.


eBooks cannot be returned early from mobile or eReader devices. BUT they can be returned early from the computer, from within Adobe Digital Editions.

Lending Periods can be customized to 7 or 14 days, rather than the 21 day default. Click here and scroll past Kindle news. 

If you are talking to somone who just needs more help...please refer them to Ask A Librarian.

Unfortunately, we aren't able to make appointments or give in person help with their device, because 9 times out of 10, this has to be setup with the patron's home computer, and email is the best method.



And yes.  Kindle is coming but NO date is set!

NetLibrary for remote patrons -- Hooray!

Hooray hardly seems to express it - but do take a moment to scope out the vastly improved patron access to our NetLibrary titles. Thanks to the hardworking MMD folks, all 32,159 eBooks titles in the new Catalog have new URLs which allow seamless access whether you are In-Library or not. For patrons at home, they just need to click on the hyperlink that says ..."accessible through the World Wide Web…"

THEN they should be prompted for a Library Card and PIN. Once they login with that, they should reach that particular title at our APL NetLibrary Site.


(May I just say here, "Ta Da") No more sending the patron to a vague NetLibrary generic page!

NetLibrary patrons are still encouraged to create a free account -- necessary if they want to *download* a NetLibrary EPUB title. But they can do this after linking from a record in the Library Catalog.

They no longer need to start from the Library website to create an account.

For new patrons in person -- you can still show them our NetLibrary webpage, since it has some details about the eBook collection, etc.

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.