Yearly Archives: 2017

Have a hard time keeping up with all the changes that take place on OverDriver? Don’t worry! Now there is an easier way to see what is going on and to also inform your patrons!

At the top of the OverDrive Page (or also on the OverDrive App), there is a link, Recent Updates.  This is found above the link to “My Account.”

Clicking on the Recent Updates link, redirects you to the recent changes OverDrive has made.  This page lists the recent updates, starting with the most current update.

An example of an update includes, a change that was made on August 1. Users can now use reading levels to filter search results or perform an advanced search.  This includes filtering results by Interest Levels, ATOS Levels, Lexile Measures or Text Difficulty.

Several updates occurred in June, including users now have a Rated Titles page, located under the Bookshelf.  This allows users to easily see and keep track of their rated titles.

Be sure to periodically check the Recent Updates Page to help you and your patrons stay up-to-date on the changes with OverDrive!

– Pam, Baldwin Library

OverDrive has a new app for their digital books and audiobooks – Libby!

This new version, available for your phone or tablet, can be downloaded in the Apple Store, Google Play or Microsoft (for Windows 10+).

Libby provides patrons access to the exact same collection of digital books and audiobooks as the OverDrive app, but is faster and easier!

Key Features:

• Libby downloads the titles immediately, saving clicks and time!
• Makes it easier to use more than one card or different library systems (perfect for patrons who go south for the winter!)
• Improved interface.
• Use Tags to organize your titles for personal use.

Important Notes:

• Libby is currently only available in English (but they are working on this!)
• Libby does NOT support streaming video.  The OverDrive app is recommended.
• The classic OverDrive app is still available and is actually compatible with more devices (Kindle Fire, PCs).  The OverDrive app also allows a few more options such as recommending purchases, however these are to be added to Libby in the future.
• Patrons concerned with storage should note the automatic download feature of Libby.

Check out the Libby FAQs with the information above and much more!

– Rob Kalchthaler / Bethel Park Public Library

Mix it up this summer with Funology, a website for parents and educators who are looking for fun activities they can do with kids in the “real” world, away from the computer and television screens. On this website, you can find:

• Arts & Crafts
• Science Experiments
• Magic Tricks
• Games
• Jokes & Riddles
• Kids’ Recipes
• Trivia & Strange Facts

Refer this site to patrons or use it to design fun and unique programs at your library. The site is designed for children ages 9 and up, but many of the activities can be easily adapted for younger children.

Reading about dinosaurs at your library? Try making a Jurassic Park Terrarium!

You will need:

• Clear plastic container with a lid
• Sand
• Soil and rocks
• Plants
• Water
• Plastic dinosaur

Instructions:

1. Fill the bottom of the container with sand. This should be about an inch deep.
2. Pour in some soil to the half way mark of your container.
3. Plant your plants and decorate with rocks and pebbles.
4. Place the dinosaur in its new home.
5. Pour in a little bit of water to get the soil and sand wet.
6. Screw on the lid and keep the container indoors.

Find more creative ideas at funology.com or follow the link through our eKids page!

Leslie Paulovich – Robinson Library

We’ve all been there: I saw a movie on television five years ago and can’t remember the title or much about it save for a few stray details. Whether this is a personal problem or a patron standing before us, it is not always easy to suss out a good enough search term to find the movie in question.

Luckily, there is a website that can help in these thorny situations. You can enter a simple search term and results will be populated, with basic information (year, summary, and poster image). There is also an option for “More like this” for suggestions of similar-themed movies.

You don’t need to use this tool only for a specific movie, either. This is a good resource to get titles that meet a desired criteria, much in the same way Novelist can be used to find books based on mood.

“romantic comedies involving mistaken identity”

“nonviolent princess movies”

And on and on. Results are not always perfect, but with a simple to use interface and features like “More like this,” What Is My Movie? is a good resource in the repertoire for both specific inquiries and recommendation situations.

Jeff, South Park