Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 142
January 17, 2013
Happiness Project Featured on WZZM
Have you heard about our Happiness Project? You don’t want to miss out on all the fun!
Watch this short segment from WZZM 13 to learn more:
Improve Your Outlook on Life at the Library
eBook Site Tips — Formats & Availability
As you may have noticed, OverDrive has updated our eBook website (http://ebooks.kdl.org) to a whole new look! Since there are a number of changes, we’ve been highlighting some tips for navigating the new site here on the KDL blog. Here’s our topic today:
All the big book covers are very pretty, but how do I tell if something is an eBook or an eAudiobook?
Look at the top right corner – it will have either a book icon or a headphone icon. In addition, if the icon is dark gray, it means that there are copies immediately available for checkout. If the icon is light gray, it means that all copies are currently checked out and you’ll have to place a hold: (Note that you’ll have to click on the book to go to the full details page to see exactly how many copies we own vs. how many are available.)
You can also use the new Filtering options to the left of any search results screen to narrow by format:
What is the bookmark for underneath the book covers?
Click on this to add the title to your Wish List.
Learn more about the eBook website changes by reading the FAQ page, which also includes a helpful demo video.
Questions? Give us a call at 616-784-2007 or fill out the Support Request Form.
Happy Downloading!
January 16, 2013
eBook Site Tips — Inspirational Fiction
As you may have noticed, OverDrive has updated our eBook website (http://ebooks.kdl.org) to a whole new look! Since there are a number of changes, we’ve been highlighting some tips for navigating the new site here on the KDL blog. Here’s our topic today:
I love Inspirational Fiction, but I don’t see this category listed anymore — where did it go?
Inspirational Fiction is not one of OverDrive’s “standard” categories for eBooks and eAudiobooks, so they previously had added it as a custom category especially for KDL’s site. With all the recent updates, this custom category has not been integrated into the new site quite yet, although OverDrive is working on it.
Until they have finished added the category to the new site’s overall category menu, you can scroll down to the very bottom of the site and look for the purple “Inspirational Fiction Featured Collection” box. This will pull up a list of all of our Inspirational titles. You can also search individually for your favorite authors, such as Karen Kingsbury or Beverly Lewis.
Learn more about the eBook website changes by reading the FAQ page, which also includes a helpful demo video.
Questions? Give us a call at 616-784-2007 or fill out the Support Request Form.
Happy Downloading!
January 15, 2013
Early Lit Bits: Learning with Crafts: Wrapping Paper Tubes
Wrapping Paper Tubes
Before you throw away those holiday wrapping paper tubes, keep these easy-to-make crafts in mind.
Light Saber: Wrap the tube with colored duct tape, then wrap some black tape around the bottom to make a handle. Use small foam stickers to create on/off switches on the handle, or just use more colored tape.
Fire Hose: Dressing up like a firefighter is even more fun when your child has a fire hose to put out pretend fires. Cut strips of blue crepe paper at random lengths from about 5″ – 12″. Tape the strips into one end of the wrapping paper tube. This is the “water” coming out of the hose.
Toy Car Luge Race: Cut the paper towel tube in half lengthwise. Tape one end to the back of a door so that the other end touches the floor. Place a toy car in each luge track and let them go at the same time. Who will win? Make a chart with the color of each car and tally the results.
This article originally appeared in our Early Lit Bits eNewsletter. Read the most recent issue online or sign up to receive this monthly update highlighting early literacy tips and resources for parents and caregivers.
eBook Site Tips — Downloading Files
As you may have noticed, OverDrive has updated our eBook website (http://ebooks.kdl.org) to a whole new look! Since there are a number of changes, we’ll be highlighting some tips for navigating the new site here on the KDL blog over the next few days. Here’s our first topic:
I’ve checked something out, but I don’t see a Download button anymore – where did it go?
For eBooks, you’ll see the following reading options next to the book cover once you have checked it out (note that not all of these may be listed, depending on the individual title):
Get for KindleKindle users will obviously want to choose this. The Kindle process works just like it always has.
Read (In your browser)
This is a new “OverDrive READ” format. If you are using a tablet or other device with a modern (color) web browser, choose this to open the book right in your browser. This means no downloading and no Adobe ID registration required! And if you add the book to your bookmarks or favorites once it has opened, it will still be available even if you have to go offline (like if you’re flying or out of wi-fi / cell data range).
Other format(s)
This is where to find the EPUB format for downloading (still needed by those with “black & white” eReaders like the NOOK Simple Touch & Kobo.) Once you select “EPUB eBook” from the drop-down menu, the file download should begin and you can open it in Adobe Digital Editions and transfer it as normal.
For audiobooks, you’ll just see the “Other format(s)” drop-down box. Once you select either MP3 or WMA format, the file should automatically begin downloading into the OverDrive Media Console software.
Learn more about the eBook website changes by reading the FAQ page, which also includes a helpful demo video.
Questions? Give us a call at 616-784-2007 or fill out the Support Request Form.
Happy Downloading!
January 14, 2013
Blogs to Books Reading Suggestions
With more and more bloggers making the leap to becoming published authors, KDL has put together a list of books that are based on their Internet counterparts. If you have seen the blog, you might be interested in the book. Or use this list of books to find more interesting blogs to read!
For a new outlook on an old favorite, try Garfield minus Garfield by Jim Davis. Garfield the cat has been removed from the picture, leaving Jon talking to himself.
Another popular favorite is The Bloggess, Jenny Lawson‘s Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, a memoir of Jenny’s life starting with her youth in Texas with her taxidermist father. And really, aren’t you curious about the cover?
January 13, 2013
KDL on WGVU Radio
Each month KDL staff join Shelley Irwin on the WGVU Morning Show to talk about what’s going on at the library. This month, listen to Adult Services Librarians Theresa Duffy (Byron Township branch) and Adam Oster (Richard L. Root Kentwood branch) talk about our Happiness Project initiative.
Enjoy!
(photo courtesy of Shelley Irwin)
January 12, 2013
KDL Gives Back — and So Can You
Did you know there are an estimated 2,900 students in Kent County who currently are experiencing homelessness?
From January 20 through February 28 all KDL branches will accept small and travel-size hygiene products that will be assembled into kits and distributed in cooperation with the Kent Intermediate School District.
This program is part of KDL’s Happiness Project, an effort to promote happy, healthy, helpful habits throughout Kent County.
January 11, 2013
KDL Top Ten – 1/11/2013
Lookin’ good, KDL! View 10 of the most popular exercise DVDs at KDL–click on the link to our Top Ten List!
The Voting Is Open!
The finalists in our inaugural Write Michigan short story contest have been selected; now it’s your turn to vote.
Vote for your favorite story at www.writemichigan.org. You may vote for up to one adult and one youth entry per week.
Grand prize winners will be announced on February 1, and an awards ceremony featuring Wade Rouse – bestselling (and hi-LAR-ious) West Michigan humorist and memoirist – will be held at the Grand Rapids Public Library on March 19.
All finalists’ stories will be included in a collection published by Schuler Books & Music.
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