jlarson – Saint Paul Public Library https://sppl.org Just another BiblioCMS Staging Sites site Sun, 21 Apr 2019 10:44:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 MN Writes MN Reads Author Contest Opens April 1st https://sppl.org/blogs/post/mn-writes-mn-reads-author-contest-opens-april-1st/ Fri, 29 Mar 2019 15:18:48 +0000 https://sppl.org/?p=489876 We're Looking for the Best Indie-Published Books in Minnesota

This year’s contest kicks off on April 1, 2019, and submissions will be accepted through May 31, 2019.

Prizes and Eligibility

The winners of this contest will receive:

  • $1,000 each in adult and young adult categories. Prizes sponsored by the Minnesota Library Foundation and BiblioBoard.
  • Honors at the Public Library Association Conference 2020 reception in Nashville.
  • Opportunities to promote your book(s) in Minnesota public libraries.
  • Inclusion in a full-page print spread in Library Journal
  • If available, print copies of your book will be purchased and made available for checkout through Minnesota’s public libraries.
  • Inclusion and promotion in Indie Minnesota, a digital collection of local authors available on BiblioBoard Library. (Winners and finalists)
  • Multiple submissions are welcome.

Each book that is submitted to the contest must be:

  • Indie-published
  • In an adult fiction or young adult fiction genre
  • Written by a Minnesota resident
  • Available in either ePUB or PDF file

Submit your work at indieauthorproject.librariesshare.com/minnesotaopens a new window

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8 New Libby Features https://sppl.org/blogs/post/8-new-libby-features/ Wed, 13 Mar 2019 14:30:23 +0000 https://sppl.org/?p=457624 Borrowing and Placing Holds at Multiple Libraries

You can now borrow and place holds on the same title at different libraries. When doing so, the icon next to the title (known as a gem) updates its colors to reflect which of your libraries you have borrowed or placed the title on hold from. For titles that you have placed multiple holds on, tapping the gem will give you more detailed information about each hold, including your estimated wait time.

Gems

Gems were introduced in a recent Libby update. These gems clean up your shelf while quickly offering helpful information and actions like renewing or returning titles early. These gems feature color patterns specific to the library that the book comes from.

More Options for Tagged Titles

Using tags is a powerful way to track books you loved or want to read in the future. Based on popular request, you can now borrow or place a hold on titles directly from your Tags shelf. Tagged titles also show options to read a sample of that book or learn more about it.

Reading Progress and Current Loan Status

For books that you have started reading, you will now see a progress bar on your loans shelf indicating how far along you are. On this shelf, you will also see how much longer you have that title for.

[youtube src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Vc5z89lajLQ"]

Shelf Tips

Helpful shelf tips above your loans and holds give you important information about your books, including when titles are ready to renew, how many other users are waiting, and prompts to return items early.

Shelf Summary

The Shelf Summary is a new view that highlights your current book, new and expiring loans, any holds that are ready to borrow, and other helpful information about your books.

Your Place in the Hold Line

Waitlist information has been simplified so that you instantly can see your estimated wait time for a certain title. Tapping the calendar icon also provides information about the total copies available, the number of people waiting, and how you have progressed in the line.

Jump Around a Search

Search results are paginated so you can now jump to any page in the library list by tapping on the page number option.

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Science Comes to Life in Gale Interactive: Science https://sppl.org/blogs/post/science-comes-to-life-in-gale-interactive-science/ Tue, 12 Feb 2019 15:08:11 +0000 https://sppl.org/?p=398124 We invite you to try out the latest online resource to join our collection, Gale Interactive: Science.

Science comes to life as you zoom, rotate, and explore interactive 3D models covering topics in biology, chemistry, and earth and space science.

You can also view related reference articles and search for additional content to find more information on the topic you are exploring.

Gale Interactive: Science provides a comprehensive view of the most-studied science subjects. Authoritative, high-quality digital content is paired with interactive 3D models to empower a complete learning solution. Going beyond just simple, flat text on a page, Gale Interactive: Science presents science topics in biology, chemistry, and earth and space science in a way that is not only enjoyable but easy to comprehend. Explore 3D models by zooming in, rotating, or pulling them apart.

Gale Interactive: Science is available at all Saint Paul Public Library locations. Outside of the library, you can use your Saint Paul Public Library card number or Library Go card number to log in.

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Visit the Digital Homeroom https://sppl.org/blogs/post/visit-the-digital-homeroom/ Thu, 07 Feb 2019 16:42:20 +0000 https://sppl.org/?p=388016 Visit the Digital Homeroom, a website created by the Saint Paul Public Library's Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) members, that features websites and online resources to help you learn computer skills.

The resources listed are used in computer and technology classes at the library and they can be used on your own to learn a new skill or brush up on some topics you would like to learn more about.

The Digital Homeroom covers typing and mouse practice, the basics of using the internet, email skills, getting started with Microsoft Office, and using the cloud-based services of Google Drive.

Job Search Resources, Too!

In addition to the basic computer and internet skills resources, The Digital Homeroom includes links to Job Search resources and tips and other helpful information on finding a job. Find open jobs, apply for jobs, explore careers, and learn more about finding the right job for you.

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Research Your Family History https://sppl.org/blogs/post/research-your-family-history/ Tue, 08 Jan 2019 20:12:17 +0000 https://sppl.org/?p=326398 Search census images, access vital records, browse military records and search passenger lists and other immigration to find out more about your family's story.

Ancestry Library Edition is available at Saint Paul Public Library location. You can use one of our computers or bring your own and connect to the library's WiFi network to get started.

A huge number of records are available, which can make searching feel like a daunting task, but there are resource and options to help you along.

For starters, begin with the brief video tutorialopens a new window to get a quick introduction to Ancestry Library, what is available, and how it works.

To get started with Ancestry Library itself, you can dive right in with a search. The more information you can include in a search will help you zero in on what you are looking for.

If you are having trouble using the resources available or would like to get more details on researching your family history using Ancestry Library, be sure to check out the Learning Centeropens a new window. The Learning Center includes information on getting started and tips on using the records available.

Although you have to be at the library to use Ancestry Library, you can print records, save them to a flash drive, or send records home to yourself. Learn more about sending records home to yourself in the video below.

Good luck, and happy searching! As always, if you have any questions please get in touch with us and our library staff will be eager to assist.

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The Most Popular Items of 2018 https://sppl.org/blogs/post/the-most-popular-items-of-2018/ Fri, 28 Dec 2018 15:57:23 +0000 https://sppl.org/?p=303554 We've run the numbers for 2018, and library staff has put together lists of the most popular fiction books, non-fiction books, and DVDs in the library's collection.

In the fiction category, readers love Minnesota authors like John Sandford and William Kent Krueger, who each have two titles in the top 25.

The non-fiction list is topped by this year's adult Read Brave title, Evicted.

Hollywood blockbusters and last year's Academy Award nominees circulated well in 2018, with Black Panther leading the way.

The top 5 items in each category are listed below, along with links to the full lists.

Most Popular Fiction of 2018

The top circulating fiction titles in the Saint Paul Public Library's collection in 2018.

Checked out 482 times in 2018.Little Fires Everywhere

Checked out 472 times in 2018.Twisted Prey

Checked out 468 times in 2018.The Great Alone

Checked out 441 times in 2018.The Woman in the Window

Checked out 439 times in 2018.A Gentleman in Moscow

View Full List

Most Popular Non-Fiction of 2018

The most checked-out non-fiction titles from the Saint Paul Public Library's collection in 2018.

Checked out 333 times in 2018.Evicted

Checked out 271 times in 2018.Educated

Checked out 231 times in 2018.Hillbilly Elegy

Checked out 226 times in 2018.Killers of the Flower Moon

Checked out 219 times in 2018.Fear

View Full List

Most Checked Out DVDs of 2018

The most popular DVDs in the Saint Paul Public Library's collection for 2018.

Checked out 1531 times in 2018.Black Panther

Checked out 1302 times in 2018.Dunkirk

Checked out 1295 times in 2018.Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Checked out 1262 times in 2018.The Shape of Water

Checked out 1154 times in 2018.Thor

View Full List

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Learn to Use Online Resources with these Free Video Tutorials https://sppl.org/blogs/post/learn-to-use-online-resources-with-these-free-video-tutorials/ Wed, 12 Dec 2018 17:35:48 +0000 https://sppl.org/?p=271028 The Library gives you free access to an ever-growing array of digital resources, including e-books from OverDrive and cloudLibrary, digital magazines from RBDigital, and downloadable audiobooks from cloudLibrary and RBDigital. You can also use the Library's online services to research your family tree, learn about how to repair your car, learn a new language, and much, much more.

Keeping up with all of these can be a challenge! But now you can visit the Saint Paul Public Library Academy to learn all about our most popular online resources.

The Academy provides step-by-step video tutorials that cover the library's digital services. These videos are short and easy to follow, providing you with the details you need to get started. Each tutorial also includes the text of the tutorial, so you can read along with the video or read the text instead of watching the video. Each tutorial includes a "Go to" link that will take you to the resource you are learning about when you are ready to give it a try.

Videos cover many of the Library's most-used online resources. They also cover how to get started with popular websites like Facebook, Gmail, Twitter, and Snapchat.

Visit the Saint Paul Public Library Academy today to learn more!

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Freegal Downloadable Music Service Ending https://sppl.org/blogs/post/freegal-downloadable-music-service-ending/ https://sppl.org/blogs/post/freegal-downloadable-music-service-ending/#comments Wed, 05 Dec 2018 15:30:40 +0000 https://sppl.org/?p=255162 December 28, 2018 will be the last day to download music from Freegal.

Due to high costs and declining usage, the Library's subscription to the service is not being renewed for 2019. While we are sorry to eliminate this resource for those people that were making use of it, the number of users was very small, making the service extremely costly per user.

Any music tracks or videos you have downloaded from Freegal are yours to keep.

Exporting Tracks from the Mobile App

If you use one of the Freegal apps and want to make sure you still have access to songs you have there, you will need to download them to your own computer. Freegal provides instructions on how to do this for iOS and Android devices. Visit Freegal's FAQ section and scroll to the "Mobile Apps" section. 

You will find Freegal's instructions under "How do I transfer songs via iTunes?" and "How do I get music off my Android device onto my computer?".

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The Online Pioneer Press Gets an Update! https://sppl.org/blogs/post/the-online-pioneer-press-gets-an-update/ Fri, 30 Nov 2018 20:23:17 +0000 https://sppl.org/?p=246698 Online access to the archives of the Saint Paul Pioneer Press has gotten an update. 

The new look features a streamlined interface and simplified search options -- designed with input from librarians and end users -- to provide faster, more intuitive access to relevant information.

The home page features a large single search box that will search both the text and page image sources.

Click either the Text or the Image format source to search just that source, or to browse issues by date.

Use the Advanced Search page to generate more useful results. You can limit search results to targeted subsets of information, combine or exclude terms for more focused results, use additional terms to get more precise results, and choose how to sort your search results.

The new integrated results screen lets you explore different information formats at a glance.

You can sort your results, refine the results, and easily email, print, save, or cite each relevant document. You can also set Alerts for yourself to learn when new content matching your search criteria is added to the database.

The new document view makes it easier to access read and use the articles you find.

Search 30 years of Minnesota history with The Pioneer Press Collection. Explore current and archived issues, as well as content only published online.

Coverage is from 1988 through the present, with full-page images available beginning with the October 3, 2018, issue.

If you are looking for articles from before 1988, the George Latimer Central Library in downtown Saint Paul has a complete set of the Pioneer Press and other Saint Paul newspapers available on microfilm. Pages and articles can be printed or saved electronically for your use.

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Put Your Holds on “Pause” https://sppl.org/blogs/post/put-your-holds-on-pause/ Tue, 13 Nov 2018 22:25:59 +0000 https://sppl.org/?p=212514 If you have requested an item, but you want to delay it being put on hold for you, you can pause your hold request.

Why Pause a Hold Request?

If you are going on vacation and don't want to miss getting your items, you can pause your holds before you leave then resume them when you return.

Or, if you are immersed in a good book (or TV series) and you would rather not have other holds arrive until after you are done, you can pause your holds.

Pausing a hold request means that your position in the hold queue is skipped over until the hold is resumed. You will stay in the hold queue and you will not lose your place in the line while holds are filled for other patrons.

Exceptions

You cannot pause a hold request if:

  • An item that can fill your request is available.
  • The item is already in transit or on the holdshelf for you.
  • Your hold request is more than 255 days old.

How to Pause a Hold Request

Log in to your account and go to your Holdsopens a new window.

Find the hold request you would like to pause and click the "Pause Hold" button.

When you are ready to resume your hold, go to your Holdsopens a new window.

You can scroll to your Paused Holds, or use the "Paused Holds" link on the left side of the screen to jump directly down to them.

Click "Resume Hold" to activate your request. You will have still held your place in line and won't have to start all over at the end of the waiting list.

An Alternative to Pausing Holds: Your "For Later" Shelf

A great new feature in the catalog is your "For Later" shelf where you can keep track of books, DVDs, and CDs you want to read, watch, or listen to later without putting holds on them.

This is a good option for when you have reached your maximum number of hold requests. It is also useful when something looks interesting but you don't have the time for it right now.

Read more about using the For Later Shelf.

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