Technology

Not Quite Old School Anymore

/ Linda / Leave a comment

phone

As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve been lagging behind in embracing some technology.  I was still using a flip phone and was quite content with it.  But in keeping with my recent foray with new things (moving into a new home and buying way too many new things for it) and the fact that my phone was barely working, I took a huge leap and bought a smart phone.

It was quite a process and I took my time in researching the various options.  I started off by going to Cheshire Library’s website and under Research it! I clicked on Consumer Reports.  From there I looked up the articles reviewing smart phones and thoroughly read them.  This was a great resource for someone who didn’t know anything about smart phones.  I settled on a phone I thought would be the best for me.  But in the end, knowing I would need some tech help from my daughters, I went with the same phone that they have.

cell phone 2If you are looking to move to a smart phone, or are thinking of replacing your current smart phone, the Cheshire Library is a great place to start.  Besides Consumer Reports, here are a few books that also might help you.

Galaxy S4 – The Missing Manual

Teach Yourself Visually –  android phones & tablets

IPhone: The Missing Manual

 

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in October

/ cheshirelib / Leave a comment

October means falling leaves, picking pumpkins, and shopping for bargains at our Fall Booksale! Not to mention TONS of great programs for kids and adults:

1ABC Amigos

Friday, Oct 2, 2015, 10:00 AM

Cheshire Public Library is proud to host ABC Amigos,  a bilingual storytime to start teaching Spanish to toddlers and preschoolers. This storytime will be tons of fun with songs, games, activities and stories in both English and Spanish. No prior knowledge of Spanish is necessary. Ages 3-6, no registration required.

Screen Shot 2015-09-16 at 7.35.43 PMDrop-in Tech Help

Monday, Oct 5, 2015, 4:00 – 6:00 PM

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Do you have questions about your computer, smartphone, or iPad? Do you need help navigating Facebook or downloading an ebook? Let our tech gurus help! Bring your technology-related questions and curiosities to Cheshire Public Library’s Tech Open House. Our knowledgeable staff will be available to answer your questions and help solve your technology-related problems.  No registration required. NOTE: If you are coming for assistance with your own electronic device, please be sure it is fully charged beforehand. In the event your question or issue is more involved, we may ask you to schedule an appointment and come back for one-on-one help.

2Rick Riordan New Book Release Party

Tuesday, Oct 6, 2015, 6:30 -7:30 PM

Are you a fan of Rick Riordan’s book series, like Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus? Then this is the party for you! October 6th is the day that Rick Riordan releases the first book in a brand-new series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1: The Sword of Summer. We’ll have some fun Norse mythology activities and even a chance for a few lucky kids to win their very own copies of Riordan’s new book! No registration required. For ages 8 and up. [NOTE: We will be meeting upstairs on the 3rd floor of the library.]

a010255-v6Germans to America, 1683-1893

Tuesday, Oct 6, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

German Americans comprise the largest ancestry group in the U.S., having high rates of immigration to the U.S. beginning in the mid-1800s. Genealogist Penelope Hartzell will present an overview of German immigration, which began in 1683, and end in 1892, with the opening of Ellis Island. She will discuss pre-Ellis Island ports of entry, early German settlements before the American Revolution, online resources to access for transcriptions of German records, microfilms of German records in German, helpful online info about German research, and organizations to join. Penelope Hartzell has 20 years of research experience and is a member of numerous genealogical societies. Seating for this event is limited. Please register online at or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

51lTkG2sJSL._SX327_BO1,204,203,200_Oktoberfest

Thursday, Oct 8, 2015, 7:00 – 8:00 PM

Join us on October 8th at 7 pm as we celebrate a mini-Oktoberfest! Local beer historian and author Will Siss leads a discussion of the history of beer in Connecticut and provides profiles for nearly all existing breweries. He will discuss his book Connecticut Beer : A History of Nutmeg State Brewing.  Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. Registration is required. Come learn about the hoppy history of Connecticut! Please register online at or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

Social Security

Tuesday, Oct 13, 2015, 6:15 – 7:45 PM

07132011_Social_Security_articleThe Cheshire Public Library presents a series of retirement planning workshops this Fall. The three topics are Social Security, Retirement Income Planning, and Long Term Care. Social Security will be the focus on Tuesday, October 13.  After being told for years that Social Security is “going broke,” baby boomers are realizing that it will soon be their turn to collect. But the decisions they make now can have a tremendous impact on the total amount of benefits they stand to receive over their lifetime.  Seating for this event is limited. Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

couponsKeep the Stress Out of Holiday Shopping With Coupons

Thursday, Oct 15, 2015, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

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Don’t stress about the holidays. Come learn how to save money with tips and tricks with coupons. Presented by Gina Juliano. Please register online  or call 203-272-2245 ext. 4.

Book Sale Members Preview

booksaleWednesday Oct 21, 2015, 6:30  –  8:00 PM

A preview sale for members of the Friends of the Library. Memberships will be for sale at the door, so you can join and then browse before the sale opens to the general public.

The Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale!

book-sale_fb_cover_imae_0Thursday, October 22 – Sunday, October 25

This bi-annual used book sale, run by Friends of the Cheshire Library, raises money to pay for programming at Cheshire Public Library, among other things.  All of the library’s programs are funded through the Friends, and the books sale is their biggest fundraiser.  Come support the library and pick up some bargains in the process! See our event calendar for more info.

A Halloween Read-Aloud with the FEA

FEA logo with childrenThursday Oct 22, 2015, 3:30 –  4:15 PM

Come read with the Future Educators of America from Dodd Middle School!
Dress up in Halloween colors to get into the spirit! We will be reading books, creating crafts, and snacks will be provided. This program will meet on the 3rd floor of the library. Please register online.

Howlarious Halloween Show with Mary Jo Maichack, Storyteller

maryjomMonday Oct 26, 2015,  6:00 PM

A guaranteed hoot and a holler, this show of classic ghost stories, songs & jokes will make you jump, giggle & groan like a coffin lid. Once you hear Mary Jo’s opening version of e.e. cummings’s “hist whist,” you’ll understand why MJ has become known for the spookiest, eeriest, snort-your-candy-corn-in-the dark funniest set of Halloween fun. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Retirement Income Planning

Retirment-Plan-300x199Tuesday Oct 27, 2015,  6:15 PM  –  7:45 PM

With recent reductions and eliminations in pension plans, an uncertain future for social security, and the shift towards employee-directed retirement plans, the need to plan for your own retirement has never been greater.  This class is geared for people within 5 years of retirement to help them determine when they can retire and how to make the most of what they’ve saved.   Seating for this event is limited.  Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

Honest Conversations with Muslim Neighbors

Screen Shot 2015-09-16 at 7.54.50 PMWednesday Oct 28, 2015, 6:30  –  8:00 PM

CCIU – CT Council for Interreligous Understanding, the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, and Hartford Seminary are co-sponsoring a series of conversations throughout Connecticut to inform the public about the American-Muslim experience and to discuss some of the concerns about that community raised by the broader American public since 9/11. Four Muslim neighbors will informally share some of their experiences and respond to questions involving customs, politics, and perspectives on other monotheistic faiths. American Muslims do not have all the answers, but guests will respond out of their own experiences, raising issues that concern all Americans.

Screen Shot 2015-09-16 at 8.01.16 PMHalloween Storytime and Parade

2 sessions:

Thursday Oct 29, 2015, at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM

Join Miss Nicole and her friends for a Halloween Storytime and Parade in the library! We’ll read some stories and then go trick-or-treating around the library!
Be sure to wear your costume! For ages 8 and under.  Registration online starting on October 1st.

8 Reasons to Love Audiobooks (Or Give Them a Try)

/ Lauren / 1 Comment

Ever notice how your list of books to read never seems to get any shorter? For every title I cross off my list, three more appear, and at this rate it’ll take me at least 20 years to completely finish (I know because I’ve calculated it). I lose precious reading time to obligations like commuting, feeding myself, and keeping my living space somewhat clean. But I recently started listening to audiobooks, and I was able to turn those obligations into perfect opportunities to whittle down my list. I can now go through a book in one day and still get the laundry done!

We have a bunch of books on CD here at the library, but I prefer downloading audiobooks with the OverDrive app on my smartphone. I hook up my phone to my car stereo and don’t have to fumble with CDs while I’m on the highway, and I can keep listening indoors without having to drag a pile of discs with me. Another upside to downloading: no fees! Digital items disappear automatically when the loan period expires so you’ll never get hit with late charges, plus you can’t scratch them up or lose them under a car seat.

Here are some more reasons to love audio:

1) Multitask like a boss. Start up an audiobook and chores will suddenly become much more enjoyable. You can spend an afternoon reorganizing your closets while also tackling titles on your to-read list, like Graham Greene’s The End of the Affair read by Colin Firth. You may even find yourself actually seeking out more chores so you can continue listening!

2) Cut your screen time. After a long workday in front of a computer screen, do you really want to veg out in front of another glowing blue screen? Light mysteries like the books in Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone series (A is for Alibi, B is for Body, etc.) offer nice background noise without disrupting your sleep.

3) A good narrator enhances your experience of the book. Mindy Kaling’s Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? is a funny book, but it’s even better when you hear her narration. An adept narrator enhances humor, drama, and other emotions in ways that you can’t replicate when your eyes are zooming across the page. Augusten Burroughs’ memoir Dry had me laughing hysterically one minute, then weeping the next.

4) Long drives seem shorter. It’s tough to stay alert when you’re driving alone, at night, on a really boring road (I’m thinking of you, New Jersey interstate). Picking up something long like The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak will keep your brain engaged and will make any long drive more endurable. Similarly, long workouts on the treadmill are less arduous when you have a plot to engage your mind.

5) Audiobooks are interactive. Have you been on the waitlist for the print copy of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo? You can download it right now through Hoopla and experience the magic by listening to the audio – while simultaneously tidying up! I’ve also found myself talking out loud to characters in suspenseful audiobooks like Tana French’s The Secret Place.

6) Long, difficult books can be less daunting in audio. Everyone has those “I’d like to read it, but I probably will never get around to it” books. I would never realistically have finished the 917-page behemoth of Roots, but it only took me a couple weeks to reach the end of disc 24.

7) You might actually retain more. There’s a theory that you retain more information when listening because your brain doesn’t have to work as hard at creating imagery. I used to think I would have a problem remembering what happened in audiobooks, but then I remembered all the times I’d looked up from reading a printed book and realized I didn’t remember any of the last six pages. It’s just bound to happen, I think (no pun intended).

8) You’ll realize you’ve been pronouncing a word wrong your entire life. Interminable. Prerogative. Indefatigable. Cache. Aluminum has five syllables?! Oh wait, nevermind, the narrator is British.

Now here’s how to get the audiobooks mentioned:

Do you currently listen to audio books? If not, do you think you’ll give them a try?

Learn How to Code, Your Library Can Help!

/ emily100101 / Leave a comment

Did you ever wish you could navigate around a computer using only your keyboard? Build a website from soup to nuts? Recreate Twitter? …and learn it all for free?

You can, and the Library can help.

Learning how to code on your own is difficult because there are so many resources to choose from. It’s hard to know where to start. Luckily, several websites have compiled carefully curated lists of free resources, so you don’t have to.

The Odin Project (www.theodinproject.com) starts you off by teaching you how the web works, the basics of computer science, and navigating around the command line. From there, you’ll jump into Web Development 101, Ruby on Rails, HTML5 and CSS, and Javascript and jQuery. The free course concludes by giving advice on how to land a job as a web developer.

Bento (www.bento.io) is even more comprehensive. You’ll learn everything there is to know about computers, from web development, to version control, mobile app development, to every programming language or framework you can think of. You’ll even learn about data science. And the lessons are organized from basic to advanced to build upon what you learn.

The Library offers free high-speed wifi and a quiet place to study. If you don’t yet have a laptop, there’s still no excuse! You can start learning on one of our public computers.

Going camping and have no access to the internet for a while? Check out a book! We carry some great titles to get you started.

4  Build your own website the right way using HTML & CSS  2  3    5

OS X Yosemite by David Pogue

Build Your Own Website the Right Way Using HTML & CSS by Ian Lloyd

HTML 5 and CSS3 All-In-One for Dummies by Andy Harris

JavaScript Bible by Danny Goodman

Beginning Ruby by Peter Cooper

And last but not least…

The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything Fast by Josh Kaufman

Happy coding! 😃

 

What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in May

/ cheshirelib / Leave a comment

Here are just a few of the new programs we’ve got on the schedule for May. Mark your calendars!

Friends of the Library Semi-Annual Book Sale Continues…

Friday & Saturday, May 1 & 2, 9:30AM -4:00PM

Friends of the Library Bag of Books Sale

We will be open for the first time on Sunday, May 3rd  from noon – 3:00pm for our close out “Fill a Bag” sale.

 

Art Kids

Tuesday May 5, 2015, 10:00  –  11:00 AM

Kids and their caregivers will use all their senses during this hands-on experience that combines a story and an art activity (or three). We won’t be afraid to get a little messy, so bring a smock if you have one. (Don’t worry we will have some here to share too.)Best for ages 3 and up. Kids must be accompanied by a caregiver. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

 

haleNathan Hale: America’s First Spy

Tuesday May 5, 2015, 7:00  –  8:00 PM

M. William Phelps, award-winning veteran journalist and author of twenty-nine nonfiction books, discusses his NY Times bestselling book “Nathan Hale – The Life and Death of America’s First Spy.” Was Nathan Hale a legend, a hero, or an ill-equipped spy? Phelps charts the life of this famed patriot and separates the historical fact from long-standing myth. Seating for this event is limited.  Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

Mother Goose Rhyme Time

Monday May 11, 2015, 10:00  –  10:30 AM

Mother Goose Rhyme Time is special time to interact with stories, songs, rhymes, and lap bounces. This fun and interactive time features music, repetition, rhymes, puppets, instruments, and felt boards. A must-do for babies and toddlers! Ages 0 to 2 years. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

 

The World of Rare Books

Tuesday May 12, 2015, 6:30  –  8:00 PM

Rare book collector Michael Dooling will present an overview of the fascinating field of rare and collectible books and will show books and manuscripts with examples of different eras, binding methods and illustrators. Seating for this event is limited.  Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

 

Breast Health and Tomosynthesis

Wednesday May 13, 2015, 7:00  –  8:30 PM

Presented by Dr. Liane Philpotts, MD, Chief of Breast Imaging at Yale-New Haven Hospital and Professor of Diagnostic Radiology at Yale School of Medicine. Three dimensional mammography is revolutionizing how we practice breast imaging. Yale- New Haven Hospital have been leaders in utilizing and studying the benefits of this imaging modality. Tomosynthesis has the dual benefit of decreasing false positives (screening recalls) while also increasing cancer detection. Tomosynthesis is also beneficial in the diagnostic environment as it shortens work ups resulting in less radiation and costs. Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

springSpring into Reading! Read-Aloud with the FEA

Thursday May 14, 2015, 3:30  –  4:15 PM

Come read with the Future Educators of America from Dodd Middle School!
We will be reading books, creating crafts, and snacks will be provided.
Ages 3-6. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

 

Screen Shot 2015-04-16 at 4.26.48 PMEat Better, Feel Better, Live Better

Tuesday May 19, 2015, 7:00  –  8:00 PM

Nutritionist Maribeth Abrams will explore the benefits of a plant-strong diet and discuss the hows and whys of plant-based eating.  Is it the same thing as being vegan? Are there health risks? Is it boring and bland? What about dining out? This presentation will answer all of these questions and more as it pertains to eating for help with the treatment and prevention of chronic disease. Seating for this event is limited.  Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

 

Screen Shot 2015-04-16 at 4.29.05 PMApps for the Outdoors

Wednesday May 20, 2015, 7:00 – 8:00 PM

Get out and explore the great outdoors with help from your phone! We’ll show you apps you can download to your smartphone or tablet to help you enjoy your excursions and enjoy nature, whether or not you have a network connection. Please register online or call 203-272-2245, ext. 4.

 

Circle of Friends Music Class

Wednesday May 27, 2015, 10:00  –  10:45 AM

Felice Danielson, from the Circle of Friends Music Studio, will lead us in a morning of musical activities for kids and their caregivers. This program is open to all young children and their caregivers, no registration required. Ages 0 to 6 years old. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

 

alexanderFab Film Saturday: “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”

Saturday May 30, 2015, 2:00  –  4:00 PM

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014).  Disney’s heartwarming comedy will have your entire family laughing out loud. Based on the best-selling book, it follows the exploits of Alexander as he experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life and wonders if bad things only happen to him. Running Time 1 hour, 21 minutes.  Rated PG. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.  Feel free to bring your own snacks!

 

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Get ready for New Hours at the Library!
We are adjusting our hours to better serve you.

Beginning June 1st the library will open at 9:00am Monday-Saturday. The library will be closing at 8:30pm Monday – Thursday.
Friday and Saturday closing times are unchanged.
NEW HOURS:
Monday – Thursday: 9:00am – 8:30pm
Friday and Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday (July 11th – August 29th): 9:00am – 1:00pm